RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Stratus Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
13
Latest Aug 11, 2000
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 554 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Dodge Stratus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Aug 11, 2000

1) TRANSMISSION LEAK DUE TO CRACK IN CASE. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS CRACK DUE TO DAMAGED DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. DESCRIBED AS MOUNTING PIN BROKE OR WORKED LOOSE, ALLOWING PLAY IN DIFFERENTIAL, BANGING AGAINST CASE. 2) FAULTY STARTER MOTOR CAUSED REPEATED FAILURE OF FUSE. FUSE WOULD BLOW IMMEDIATELY UPON IGNITION ATTEMPT. 3) CONSTANT OIL LEAK FROM REAR OF ENGINE. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS HEAD GASKET SEAL. 4) TRUNK LID OFTEN WILL NOT LATCH.

NHTSA ID
727639
Body & structureEngine
Filed Jul 18, 2000

HEAD GASKET FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
553087
Body & structureEngineExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Dec 1, 1999

RIGHT HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHT CONTINUALLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, THE FAILURE UNKNOWN. *MJS

NHTSA ID
549774
Body & structure
Filed Oct 22, 1999

WATER LEAKAGE ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR ONLY WHEN IT RAINS WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF ANYTHING WRONG BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS ALSO AN OIL LEAKAGE ONLY NOTICED AFTER AN OIL CHANGE THEY SAY ITS A PROBLEM WITH AN INFERIOR GASKET AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM IN THE PAST

NHTSA ID
713678
Incident
Aug 1, 1999
Body & structureBrakesEngine+3 more
Filed Jul 19, 1999

STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPAIRED FIVE TIMES AND STILL EXHIBITS NOISE PROBLEMS. MJS (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

NHTSA ID
547451
Incident
Jul 16, 1996
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningVisibility
Filed Feb 9, 1999

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID
543800
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+6 more
Filed Aug 27, 1998

DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY LOOSE, FIRST REPAIR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
539422
Body & structureBrakesEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 1, 1998

TRUNK LID CAME DOWN ON DRIVER'S HEAD, CAUSING A MILD CONCUSSION. ALSO,REPLACED WARPED BRAKE ROTORS/STEERING RACK AND POWER STEERING AND EGR VALVE. IN ADDITION, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. *MJS

NHTSA ID
780029
Incident
Nov 1, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Jul 1, 1998

DOOR HINGES BIND UP CAUSING DIFFICULTY CLOSING.

NHTSA ID
537287
Incident
Aug 1, 1996
Body & structureEngineSteering
Filed May 8, 1997

RACK AND PINION REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
517034
Incident
Aug 27, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Jul 30, 1996

TRUNK LID CLOSES ON ITS OWN IF NOT OPENED COMPLETELY. *DH

NHTSA ID
506848
Body & structure
Filed Dec 28, 1995

TRUNK HINGES CONTINUE TO FALL WHEN LIFTED, SPRING WILL NOT HOLD TRUNK IN PLACE. TT

NHTSA ID
977084
Incident
Dec 24, 1995
Body & structure
Filed Aug 28, 1995

ARM BRACE GETS CAUGHT ON INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, LOCKED DOOR CAME OPEN. TT

NHTSA ID
971149
Incident
Aug 27, 1995

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .