Filed Jun 12, 2016
SAME DASH WARPING PROBLEM AS MANY OTHERS. I SUSPECT THIS IT IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN WHAT YOU SEE HERE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE WARPING COULD AFFECT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
- NHTSA ID
- 10873753
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2010
2003 Dodge Stratus Coupe
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Jun 12, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0
Overview
Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Dodge Stratus Coupe, most frequently naming the body & structure, visibility and electrical categories. 22 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 2004 | 1 | 2 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 4 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 5 |
| May 2007 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 2007 | 1 | 7 |
| Jun 2008 | 1 | 8 |
| Sep 2008 | 1 | 9 |
| Feb 2009 | 1 | 10 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 11 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 12 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 13 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 14 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 15 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 16 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Body & structure945.0%
- Visibility210.0%
- Electrical210.0%
- Airbags210.0%
- Suspension15.0%
- Engine15.0%
- Exterior lighting15.0%
- Brakes15.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Apr 25, 2016
THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD FROM DRIVER'S SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS FROM THE FRONT WHERE IT MEETS THE WINDSHIELD TO WHERE IT WRAPS OVER AND CONNECTS TO ENTIRE PANEL FACING THE FRONT SEATS IS WARPING AND PULLING AWAY FROM EVERYTHING IT IS SUPPOSE TO HELP HOLD INTO PLACE. IT IS NOW RISING ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. IF THIS AIR BAG DEPLOYS IT WILL DEFINITELY EITHER THROW THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD OR MASSIVE PIECES OF IT DIRECTLY TOWARD THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER (SINCE THE WARPING HAS DISLODGED IT FROM EVERYTHING) OR IT WILL DEPLOY AND THE WARPED DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO BE THROWN UP TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD, SUN VISOR SUPPORT & NEW TETHER STRAP WHICH COULD CAUSE EVEN MORE ISSUES. THE WARPING HAS ALSO STARTED TO AFFECT EVERY COVER IT CONNECTS TO ON THE DASH, PULLING & PUSHING THEM LOOSE. THESE ITEMS CAN NOW ALSO BE THROWN THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH. I HAVE ONLY OWNED MY VEHICLE 6 MONTHS, THE SUMMER HEAT HAS NOT EVEN ARRIVED. AT THE RATE IT IS WARPING, I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL PROBABLY BE A MINIMUM OF 2 INCHES ABOVE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WITHIN THE NEXT 3 MONTHS. PLEASE HELP US STAY SAFE AND RECALL THESE DASHBOARDS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. ACCIDENTS ARE BAD ENOUGH, WE NEED TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL INJURIES AND PROBLEMS THAT THESE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARDS ARE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO CAUSE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10861272
- Incident
- Apr 25, 2016
- Mileage
- 119,102 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 14, 2015
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS COUPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10810011
- Incident
- Jun 2, 2015
Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 2014
SAME DASH WARPING PROBLEM AS MANY OTHERS HAVE POSTED. NOT HOLDING MY BREATH FOR A REPLACEMENT THOUGH. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10627026
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Mar 26, 2012
I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS COUPE IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD IS WARPING AND COMING A LOOSE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2008 IN GREAT CONDITION, HOWEVER AFTER OWNING IT FOR A FEW MONTHS THE DASHBOARD STARTED PULLING AWAY FROM THE SPEEDOMETER, THE AIR CONDITION VENTS AND OTHER PLACES ON THE BOARD. JUST RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO SPREAD AND NOW THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED UNHINGE ITSELF. THIS HAS BECOME VERY UNSETTLING BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT THE AIRBAG WHICH IS ONLY A FEW INCHES ABOVE THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT WILL EVENTUALLY DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT SEVERAL OWNERS OF CAR ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT MENTION, I HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT A WHITE FILM APPEARS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDOW ABOVE THE DASH WHICH CAUSES A GLARE AND A IMPAIRMENT WHEN I DRIVE. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WIPE AND CLEAN THE INSIDE WINDOW WHEN I DRIVE IN ORDER TO SEE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN CONDENSATION BUILDS UP ON THE INSIDE. AND THE CONDENSATION BUILDS UP BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD HAS FLIPPED UP TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WIPE THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AS IF I'M A HUMAN WIPER BLADE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10453148
- Incident
- Mar 2, 2009
Body & structure
Filed Aug 14, 2010
I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS COUPE(ENGINEERED BY MITSUBISHI) AND MY CLEAR COAT HAS STARTED TO FADE LEAVING WHITE SPOTS ON THE TOP OF MY CAR RIGHT BEHIND THE SUNROOF. IT HAS ALSO STARTED TO FADE ON THE TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE AS WELL. THIS ISSUE ONLY SEEMS TO BA HAPPENING TO THE CARS MANUFACTURED WITH BLACK PAINT. OTHER CARS I HAVE SEEN WITH THIS PROBLEM ALSO MANUFACTURED BY MITSUBISHI ARE 1995-2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING COUPE, DODGE AVENGER COUPE, MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, MITSUBISHI GALANT. ALSO, 2001-2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE, CHRYSLER SEBRING COUPE, MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE AND GALANT. THE CONDITION WORSENS OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY START TO GO DOWN THE A,B AND C PILLAR AND HOOD OF THE CAR. AGAIN THIS IS ONLY WITH THE BLACK PAINT. THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BLACK PAINT ON THESE CARS AND AS THE OWNER OF ONE I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10349339
- Incident
- Mar 11, 2009
- Mileage
- 65,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 18, 2009
DASH VINYL IS SEPARATING OR PEELING OFF AT THE DEFROST VENT FROM THE DASH. NO KNOWN WAY TO FIX IT. WILL NEED REPLACED WITH A BETTER DESIGN. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10259236
- Incident
- Dec 6, 2008
Body & structure
Filed Sep 9, 2008
THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL IS UNSTABLE. NEAR THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST VENTS IT HAS STARTED TO BEND UPWARDS ALONG THE VENTS EDGES. THE PASSENGER VENT, NEXT TO THE AIRBAG, HAS ALSO POPPED OUT A LITTLE DUE TO STRESS FROM THE DASHBOARDS. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10241423
- Incident
- Jul 15, 2008
- Mileage
- 75,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
9004275
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.
9004275
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.
23-015-20
EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE
Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
31-006-19
STRUCTURE
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619
EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.