2006 Dodge Stratus

Routine

Owners filed 74 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

59 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,00040,000 miles; the median is 52,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension13
100
Air Bags9
704
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine6
000
Electrical System6
000
Steering5
210
Engine and Engine Cooling5
000
Engine4
020
Air Bags › Frontal4
404
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
201
Structure › Body2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm10E059000
Filed Dec 27, 201022,689 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.

Risk. IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint09E056000
Filed Oct 9, 20095,787 vehiclesQualis Automotive Llc

Defect. QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy. QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder07E023000
Filed Mar 29, 200713,128 vehiclesCardone Industries, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jul 10, 2023200,000 milesMS

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that she parked and inspected the vehicle and became aware of the control arm on the ground, the tire pushed away from the vehicle, and bolts and screws on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Suspension
Filed Mar 30, 2023MS

The entire front suspension feels as though it is going to fall outward at any moment. I have had this inspected by two separate dodge dealerships. I’ve also had this inspected by friends that are mechanics. I also have knowledge and I know something is not right with the control arms tire rods, ball joints. The front suspension is horrible. I worry every day. I’m gonna runoff the road or I’m gonna hit someone or something bad is gonna happen. Upon doing my research, I saw many other Dodge Stratus vehicles that were recalled for the same exact reason. My question is why was my car left out of the recall when clearly it has major safety issues.

Suspension
Filed Feb 19, 2021TX

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON STREET WAY WHEN LOWER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER SIDE BROKE WHERE BALL JOINT IS..LUCKY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME OR AROUND ME WHILE DRIVING COULD OF CAUSED A SERIOUS WRECK..HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT BACK TO MY HOUSE

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 13, 2020101,000 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING DOING ABOUT 25 MPH. THANK GOD I WASN'T DRIVING ANY FASTER WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I HAD LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING I RAN IN TO A GUARD RAIL MY CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO BECAUSE THE RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WAS TOTALLY TOUCHING THE GROUND I GOT OUT THE CAR SEEN MY ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS OFF THE CAR. I THEN STARTED CRYING. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JULY 2019 98,000 ORIGINAL MILES. BAD PURCHASE DECISION!

Steering
Filed Jan 12, 2020135,000 milesNV

I WAS DRIVING LIKE NORMAL, THEN WHEN I WENT UP THE RAMP ONTO THE THE SHOPPING CENTER, THE RIGHT WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN HIT THE PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND THE RIM WAS HITTING THE BRAKE CALIPER. IT WAS IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET.

Power TrainCrash
Filed Nov 4, 201941,900 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, WOULD NOT STOP, AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRASH THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT THEN QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WEEKLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (50 MAIN ST, BUTLER, OH 44822, (419) 883-2461). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO START THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD SEND A TECHNICIAN TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR WEEKS AND WERE STILL WAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO SEND A TECHNICIAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN NHTSA RECALL WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED USED WITH ONLY 6,000 MILES. THE CRASH OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,900.

Suspension
Filed Jul 1, 2019168,458 milesMS

WHEN DRIVING HOME THE 2006 DODGE STRATUS SXT SEDAN AS MENTIONED BROKE ON ME AND MY FAMILY INTO A STORE PARKING LOT WHERE THE ENTIRE WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR LEAVING ME AND MY FAMILY STRANDED LUCKILY WE WEREN'T ON THE HWY DRIVING HWY SPEEDS OR IM SURE ME AND MY FAMILY WOULDN'T PROBABLY BE LIVING HERE TODAY. I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK WE'RE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT CAME BACK AS BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WHICH IS THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE

Suspension
Filed May 15, 201928,000 milesVA

I WAS DRIVING HOME WENT TO GO TURN LEFT AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. I STOPPED THE CAR LOOK AT THE FRONT AND THE BALL JOINT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SNAPPED, THIS EXACT PROBLEM IS ON THE RECALL LIST BUT MY CAR ISNT ON THEIR.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 12, 201882,988 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR MITSUBISHI (2440 S PADRE ISLAND DR, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415, (361) 229-7222) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING, THE ALARM SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ALL STAR MITSUBISHI WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,988.

Suspension
Filed Jul 4, 2018110,000 milesKY

RECALL BALL JOINTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS TIRED OF REPLACING TIRES AND I LOOKED IT UP THERE WAS 0 RECALLS ASSISTED ON MY CAR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 6, 2018NJ

CAR WONT START

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 19, 201790,000 milesLA

TAMARA RECALL MY FUEL TANK HAS A EVAPORATION LEAK AND THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S FROM THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK ON HAS CAUSED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON ALSO THE SUSPENSION IS VERY BAD AND I HAD THEM REPLACED WHEN I FIRST NAUGHT THE CAR IT SHOULD NOT BE AS BAD AS IT IS, MY STEERING IS VERY BAD I HAVE REPLACE THE RACK IN OPINION, POWER STEERING PUMP,AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT SO IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT , WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IT SOUNDS LIKE MY WHOLE TRUNK IS GOING TO FALL OFF IF I HIT A BAD ENOUGH ROAD BUMP AND I TAKE CARE OF MY CAR MY DAD WAS A MECHANIC SO I KNOW NOT TO NEGLECT MY VEHICLE AND I KNOW THAT EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE THAT ALL THE RECALLS WERE NOT DONE ON MINE !MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES REALLY BAD IT SOMETIMES IS HARD FOR ME TO HANG ON TOO IT , I HAVE ARTHRITIS IN MY HANDS NOW, I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHEN MY STEERING WENT OUT LUCKILY I HAD A FAMILY MEMBER BEHIND ME AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND NOBODY WAS HURT,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF SO IT'S VERY HARD TO FIND A PLACE TO PASS ME ONCE I EXPLAIN MY SITUATION I PAYED OUT SO MUCH MONEY JUST FOR INSPECTION STICKER GETTING FAILED I'M A VERY SHORT PERSON I'M 5'4 AND WHEN YOU HIT A ROAD BUMP GOING 5 MILES AN HOUR AND YOU HIT YOUR HEAD HARD EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE IN THE ROAD THAT REALLY HURTS TO THE POINT YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND LET YOUR HEAD STOP HURTING BF YOU CAN CONTINUE ON TO WORK I HAVE MISSED A LOT OF W

SteeringCrash
Filed Jun 6, 2017138,000 milesMA

HI! MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2006 DODGE STRATUS AND THE CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE AXLE SEPARATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING IT TO HIT A PARKED CAR. WE HAVE A POLICE REPORT THAT DOCUMENTS THE AXLE SEPARATION AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. I NOTICED ONLINE THAT THIS HAD BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 DODGE STRATUS SO I CHECKED FOR RECALLS BUT OUR VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL (10E059000). MY HUSBAND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD ME THE CAR AND HE CALLED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT APPARENTLY THERE WAS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. MY CAR CAN NOT BE REPAIRED. IN THE PAST THE CAR'S FRONT END HAD BEEN REPAIRED A NUMBER OF TIMES AND IT WAS DUE FOR AN INSPECTION THIS MONTH.

Traction Control System
Filed Mar 24, 2017147,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND A NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 1, 20171 milesWI

MY BALL JOINT SNAPED AND MY RADIATOR WHAS HEATED UP BADLE I PUT A WHOLE IN MY RADATOR HOSE AS WELL.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 18, 2016NC

2006 DODGE STRATUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING VEHICLE ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER SON HIT A UTILITY POLE HEAD-ON AT 85 MPH. *JB

EngineFire
Filed Jun 17, 2016120,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN TRAFFIC, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE CONTACT LATER OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Suspension
Filed May 4, 2016NC

I WAS HEARING A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR IN THE FRONT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMER THAT MY LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS WERE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE BALL JOINTS AND LIFTED THEM UP WITH A HUGE SCREWDRIVER. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE TIRE COULD SEPARATE AND CAUSE A ACCIDENT. I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND PURCHASED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED ON THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO GET THE RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT I WAS TOLD THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I HAD AT THE TIME ABOUT 169,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM ANYONE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION. ITS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND VERY UNSAFE. I PRACTICALLY RUINED A NEW SET OF TIRES BECAUSE OF THIS SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND I AM PRESENTLY EXPERIENCING WEAR DUE TO THE UPPER CONTROL ARM NEEDING REPLACEMENT.

Air Bags
Filed May 4, 2016NC

MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS LIFTING FROM ITS PLACE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE COVER. THIS IS A CONCERN FOR ME BECAUSE I FEAR THAT IT WILL RELEASE AT SOME POINT DUE TO THE HEAT OR MOTION. I NOTICE THE PROTRUSION WHEN I AM CLEANING UP MY CAR AND I DO NOT TOUCH IT NOR DO I PREFER FOR ANYONE TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT.

Suspension
Filed Apr 10, 2016189,000 milesLA

WHILE IN MOTION FRONT DRIVER SIDE FELL APART MY WHEEL BROKE OFF,WHILE GOING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE

20 of 74 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20072010Routine
2006 — this page74330Routine
200562620Routine
2004144710Routine
200375600Routine
2002150640Routine
20011861421Fatalities reported
20002169640High concern
19992517592Fatalities reported
19982727170Above average
19973497320High concern
199655411361Fatalities reported
199531811130Above average
19921000Routine

Compare every Stratus year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 27, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.