RoadVitals

1999 Dodge Stratus Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
49
Latest Jan 28, 2020
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.
20%
of 251 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.
27
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Dodge Stratus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 49 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 steering

The 25 most recent of 49, in the owner's own words

BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 28, 2020

I GOT THIS NEXT SITE TO DO AGAIN EMAIL. CLAIM #11301605 AND FOLLOWING UP AS TO YOUR NEXT STEP. 3 RECALLS THE DODGE CUSTOMER CARE PEOPLE DONT WANT TO DO OR HELP ME FIX OR CONCLUDE.

NHTSA ID
11302472
Incident
Jan 28, 2020
Mileage
141,520 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 24, 2020

I BOUGHT A CAR IN JAN 2020 WHICH HAS BEEN SITTING A FEW/COUPLE YEARS AND I FOUND 3 RECALLS ON IT. 1999 DODGE STRATUS 2.4. I EMAILED U S CUSTOMER CARE/ DODGE CUSTOMER CARE AND GOT MAIL BACK STATING YES ON 3 RECALLS AND A DEALER IN RENO NV TO CALL. I CALLED AND SERVICE AND PARTS DEPT SAID YES ON RECALLS. BRING IT IN TO CHECK AND ADVISE TO FIX. GOT MUTIL MAILS FROM CUSTOMER CARE STATING THEY HAD CAR UNDER LAST OWNER AND I TOLD THEM I WAS NEW OWNER. NEXT MAIL WAS, CLAIM/S ARE CLOSED. I ASKED WHY NOW 3 TIMES AND NO ANSWER EXCEPT A TAKE SURVEY. NO SERVICE OR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR OTHER THEN TO FIND OUT THERE WAS 3 RECALLS AND NOW CUSTOMER CARE DOESNT WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS CAR. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW ONE DAY THERE IS AND THE NEXT DAY CLAIM CLOSED. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I AM A NEW OWNER. ONE RECALL IS FOR A FIX POWER STEERING HOSE SO CAR WONT CATCH FIRE. I AM HAVE GOT NOWHERE WITH ALL MY TRIES TO GET CAR RECALLS FIXED. ACCORDING TO WEB SITES THE 3 RECALLS ARE LISTED AS INCOMPLETE STILL TO DATE. MEANING NOT TAKEN CARE OF TO MY UNDERSTANDING.

NHTSA ID
11301605
Incident
Jan 10, 2020
EngineSteering
Filed Dec 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO THE DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10808123
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 27, 2015

HARD TO CONTROL STEERING OF VEHICLE! WHENEVER I PASS OVER A SPEED BUMP FEELS LIKE WHOLE CAR IS GOING TO COME APART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10713002
Incident
Nov 12, 2014
Mileage
177,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 31, 2013
Fire reported

WHILE I WAS PARALLEL PARKING MY PASSENGER SAW HEAVY WHITE SMOKE AFTER I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL SHARPLY. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ALSO. MY PASSENGER AND I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED 911. I BELIEVE I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF BEFORE GETTING OUT. THE SMOKE STARTED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND FLAMES WERE SEEN UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS BURNED AND THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. AFTERWARDS THE CAR (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) SMELLED LIKE BURNT POWER STEERING FLUID. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532906
Incident
Jul 22, 2013
Mileage
168,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 5, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO THE CONTACT, BUT IT WENT UNACKNOWLEDGED. THEREFORE, THEY WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/24/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10257606
Incident
Nov 29, 2008
Mileage
90,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 16, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES LATER, WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ALL THE PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. BOTH A FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A RECALL AND WOULD FORWARD THE INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE CONTACT LATER ENTERED HER VIN INTO THE DODGE WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED THAT HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000.

NHTSA ID
10255313
Incident
Dec 14, 2008
Mileage
95,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 10, 2008
Fire reported

FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE, RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN MAIL WEEKS AFTER INCIDENT. WAS FIRE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHED. SOLD CAR TO TOW COMPANY FOR 150.00 ON OCTOBER 9. REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TO TRY GET MONEY WE PAID FOR CAR. BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE CAR TO DO INSPECTION. WE HAVE SEVERAL PICS OF CAR AFTER IT BURNED. RECALL STATE THAT THE DEFECT IN POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING ON MOTOR AND IGNITING CAUSING AN UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10251395
Incident
Oct 6, 2008
Mileage
140,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 15, 2008

STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10242239
Incident
Aug 15, 2006
Steering
Filed Aug 4, 2008
Fire reported

CAR HAS NOT BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR OVER A YEAR AND 1/2 NON-OP. REALIZED POWER STEERING FAILED. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP. REALIZED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THERE THEY NOTICED THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGED. NOW CHRYSLER IS SAYING THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE DAMAGE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT REPLACED SOONER. AS I STATED THEY CAR HAS NOT RUN FOR OVER 1 1/2 YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE HOSE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM CHRYSLER. WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE DAMAGE BUT YOU SHOULD STILL REPLACE HOSE. IT WAS A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236909
Incident
Jul 29, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 14, 2008

1999 DODGE STRATUS HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAD THE REPAIR DONE AND PAID FOR IT. HE WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *KB RECALL 06V001000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10215055
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
SteeringTransmission
Filed Dec 12, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH BEFORE THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND BOTH A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SMOKE WAS DUE TO POWER STEERING FLUID ENTERING THE ENGINE. THERE WERE TWO SAFETY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER'S 04V021000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT), WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS), WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10211557
Incident
Dec 5, 2007
Mileage
140,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE HIGH POWER STEERING HOLE FAILURE THAT HER VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON APRIL 6, 2005. THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STILL INSIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. SHE WAS REFERRED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REPAIR SHOP NEVER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND SHE HAS THE REPAIR INVOICES. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY NOT IN HER POSSESSION. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 148,946.

NHTSA ID
10202843
Incident
Apr 6, 2005
Mileage
148,946 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 11, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. ON JUNE 30, 2007, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE A COUPLE OF MINUTES AFTER BEING PARKED. THE UNDER HOOD FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE PURCHASE DATE AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID
10202547
Incident
Jun 30, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 6, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO LEAK, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE IT COULD BE REPAIRED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. HE RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

NHTSA ID
10202021
Incident
Apr 23, 2007
Mileage
83,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 30, 2007
Fire reported

I BOUGHT MY 1999 DODGE STRATUS 2.4L IN SEPTEMBER 2006 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 145,000 MILES. IN MAY 2007, I HAD THE VALVE COVERS AND CAM SENSOR WIRING REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE AND ROTTED WIRING (UNRELATED TO ONE ANOTHER). THE CAR SEEMED TO SLOWLY LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. ON 7/29/2007 AFTER A 50 MILE DRIVE, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10197815
Incident
Jul 29, 2007
Mileage
156,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Apr 26, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD , AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO MALFUNCTION. THIS FAILURE PREVENTED HER FROM DETERMINING HOW FAST SHE WAS DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED. ALSO, THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED, AND THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE BEGAN WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN HOT. SHE WILL COLLECT THE WORK REPORTS AND RECEIPTS FROM THE DEALER REGARDING THE OTHER FAILURES THAT OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10188916
Incident
Aug 22, 2006
Mileage
79,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 23, 2007
Fire reported

1999 DODGE STRATUS. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. *MC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE POWER STEERING HOSE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10189012
Incident
Apr 26, 2006
Mileage
119,953 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 19, 2007
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 06V001000 ,AND BELIEVED IT WAS TO BLAME FOR THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE LANDED IN A DITCH AND WAS DESTROYED, CAUSING BOTH AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10185559
Incident
Jan 9, 2007
Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2007
Fire reported

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH IN THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND FAMILY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND STARTED SMELLING SMOKE ,THEN THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 06V001000 THIS PAST WEEKEND, BUT WAS OUT OF TOWN. SHE STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS ON 03/04/07, WHICH WAS AFTER SHE JUST RETURNED HOME FROM HER TRIP TO ATLANTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THEY CAME TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WHICH TOOK ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE DID COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY DRIVER'S CHOICE WILL BE DOING AN INVESTIGATION SOMETIMES ON OR ABOUT 3/8/07. WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME AFTER THE FIRE AND CHECKED THE MAIL SHE NOTICED THE LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER, STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WILL SUBMIT PICTURES AND BOTH THE INSURANCE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10184503
Incident
Mar 4, 2007
Steering
Filed Feb 7, 2007
Fire reported

1999 DODGE STRATUS CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BEFORE RECALL WAS DONE. **CC THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER DID NOT INDICATE THE RECALL NUMBER OR RECALLED COMPONENT. THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS RECALLED ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, DUE TO A LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10182679
Incident
Apr 1, 2006
Steering
Filed Jan 23, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER DIDN'THAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AND AFTER CALLING ANOTHER DEALER, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE AUGUST 2006. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10179513
Incident
Aug 2, 2006
Mileage
12,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 16, 2007
Fire reported

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE; WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT A REPAIR SHOP THE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE AND FOUND THE VEHICLE TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, NUMBER 06V001000) REGARDING THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, AND BELIEVES THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE CURRENT MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178831
Incident
Sep 12, 2006
Steering
Filed Jan 16, 2007
Fire reported

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1999 DODGE STRATUS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW MANY DETAILS REGARDING THE FIRE. HE LEARNED ABOUT THE FIRE APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AFTER THE INCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED IN AUGUST. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE ONLY DETAILS THE CONTACT KNOWS IS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, WHEN THE DRIVER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL LETTER E23 & C45 AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178824
Incident
Jan 16, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 10, 2007
Fire reported

REGARDING RECALL NOTICE ON A 1999 DODGE STRATUS HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE**CC THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10178537
Incident
Sep 28, 2006

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .