2003 Dodge Stratus Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Stratus, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension1514.4%
- Airbags1514.4%
- Engine109.6%
- Electrical109.6%
- Driver assistance98.7%
- Fuel system87.7%
- Brakes76.7%
- Steering76.7%
- Body & structure65.8%
- Transmission54.8%
- Other / unspecified32.9%
- Interior & seats21.9%
- Heating & air conditioning21.9%
- Powertrain (other)21.9%
- Tires & wheels11.0%
- Seat belts11.0%
- Visibility11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car was owned by school govement it has been worked on several times for bad suspension.and documented.ball joint bad suspension front and back.back dating 2 or 3 years.no accidents just bad suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE STARTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,037. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
When replacing the Clock Spring I noticed the Airbag serial number matched numbers from other vehicles for recall but my vehicle was not listed in recall.Vin number [XXX] 2003 Dodge Stratus Sedan INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN HAD NO FUNCTIONALITY AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE STARTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,037. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
ONLY HAD MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS FOR A FEW MONTHS AND HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS NOW. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT, EVERYTHING WAS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT I STILL DID MAINTENANCE WORK ON IT ANYWAYS. I BARELY DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I'M A STAY AT HOME MOM SO I DON'T REALLY PUT MILES ON MY CAR. NOW MY CAR IS SUFFERING PROBLEMS FROM WITHIN THE ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ONE EVENING AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND THEN WENT TO A MECHANIC AND PRETTY MUCH MY ENGINE IS SUFFERING. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT 2.7 ENGINES ARE VERY CRAPPY AND DOESN'T LAST LONG. I WISH I WOULD'VE KNEW THAT BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND MADE BETTER. NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN HAD NO FUNCTIONALITY AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
I WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WHEN I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL.THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON.THEN I NOTICED THE HORN DID NOT WORK. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I AM 100% CONVINCED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAS BROKEN.FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWS THERE IS A RECALL ON CHRYSLER-DODGE CLOCK SPRINGS BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN YEAR-MODELS WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THE YEAR OR MODEL OF THE VEHICLE IS IRRELEVANT IF THE CLOCK SPRING PART IN QUESTION (THE ONE IN THE RECALL) WAS/IS STILL BEING INSTALLED ON VEHICLES NOT IN THE RECALL LIKE MINE A 2003 DODGE STRATUS A LITTLE INVESTIGATION ON YOUR END WILL CLEARLY SHOW THIS TO BE THE CASE. I'D BE WILLING TO BET THAT MY CLOCK SPRING HAS THE SAME MANUFACTURING NUMBERS AS THE RECALLED CLOCK SPRINGS . *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN HAD NO FUNCTIONALITY AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND I HEARD A KIND OF SNAP AND THEN I FELT AND HEARD A GRINDING IN MY STEERING WHEEL. FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHENEVER I HAD TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS THIS NOISE LIST A SPRING WAS CAUGHT AND ALMOST WOULD GET CAUGHT AND I WOULD HAVE TO QUICKLY JERK THE STEERING WHEEL SO IT WOULDN'T GET STUCK AND KEEP ME FROM TURNING. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, SO IT WON,T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND I LOST FUNCTION OF MY SPEED CONTROL. I WAS TOLD THIS IS MY CLOCKSPRING. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WAS RECALLED IN MANY DODGE VEHICLES BUT HAS YET TO BE RECALLED IN MY VEHICLE. SEE SAFETY RECALL NO. B24 (11/01/2002) FOR 1998 DODGE VEHICLES BUT DODGE CONTINUED TO USE THESE FAULTY CLOCKSPRINGS THAT IN FACT SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR ONE ONCE MOVING AND THEN I STOP, AND PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, PUT GEAR IN REVERSE AND GIVE IT A LITTLE GAS, AND THE VEHICLE ROCKS AND SHAKES, AND I WAS PARK, AND PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE AND GAVE IT A LITTE GAS AND IT ROCK AND SHAKES. I DID JUST HAVE NEW SPARK PLUGS PUT ON OLD PLUGS AND WIRES, AND A NEW FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD SHUT OFF SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE FUEL PUMP MELTED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FUEL TANK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE LINE BETWEEN GAS TANK AND FRAME OF CAR HAD RUBBED A PIN HOLE IN LINE BECAUSE OF TIGHT FIT , I GUESS. GAS TANK HAD TO BE DROPPED TO FIND PROBLEM, MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED FIRST THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM BUT, IT WASN'T. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. HE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TWICE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT BY THEN HE HAD REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. HE WAS NOT INJURED BADLY, BUT IS VERY SORE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND I HEARD A KIND OF SNAP AND THEN I FELT AND HEARD A GRINDING IN MY STEERING WHEEL. FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHENEVER I HAD TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS THIS NOISE LIST A SPRING WAS CAUGHT AND ALMOST WOULD GET CAUGHT AND I WOULD HAVE TO QUICKLY JERK THE STEERING WHEEL SO IT WOULDN'T GET STUCK AND KEEP ME FROM TURNING. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, SO IT WON,T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND I LOST FUNCTION OF MY SPEED CONTROL. I WAS TOLD THIS IS MY CLOCKSPRING. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WAS RECALLED IN MANY DODGE VEHICLES BUT HAS YET TO BE RECALLED IN MY VEHICLE. SEE SAFETY RECALL NO. B24 (11/01/2002) FOR 1998 DODGE VEHICLES BUT DODGE CONTINUED TO USE THESE FAULTY CLOCKSPRINGS THAT IN FACT SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HEARD A NOISE IN THE TIRE AREA AND THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE. ALSO, THE FRONT AND REAR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS WERE WORN OUT, AND THE LEFT AND RIGHT INNER, AND OUTER TIRE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 92,000. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE PROTRUDED AND SEPARATED CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO BE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,300.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK FAILED TO REMAIN OPEN AS A RESULT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. THE CONTACT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* - THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURES ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND IT WAS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY WHEN GOING UP A HILL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE RPMS WOULD GO UP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ADVANCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER, AT WHICH TIME SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP SAID TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FIXED WOULD COST $5,000.00. THE CONTACT CALLED CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND FILED A COMPLAINT, AND WAS GIVEN A FILE NUMBER 15815556.*AK UPDATED 2/6/2007 - *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD MANEUVER INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEVER ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH 5 TRANSMISSION CODES. ON SEVERAL OCCASION PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING REGULARLY SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE THERE WAS DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PERFORMED HOWEVER THE TEST SHOWED NO TRANSMISSION CODES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
The problem is not with the tire itself, but with the lug nuts holding the tire on the car. In the past year I have had at least six lug nuts fail. I have had a rash of flat tires, mostly related to nails. In attempting to remove the tires to put on the spare, the chrome caps on the nuts have come off. In the first incident, I was able to strip the cover off the internal nut by hand. In attempting to remove the internal nut, the softer metal was stripped. I was forced to drive on a flat tire home to try and remove the rest of the nut. I had to call a tow truck to haul my car into the shop where they had to cut off the nut. I can document this and three other occasions of the lug nuts being stripped when trying to remove a bad tire. I can document an occasion when the shop replaced two faulty nuts when repairing one of my tires. In the most recent occasion, I was able to remove the tire. However, when handling the lug nuts the chrome cap came off in my hand. I am able to strip these caps and nuts by hand using an "X" lug wrench, which I had to buy because the wrench that came with the vehicle twisted out of shape while trying to remove the lug nuts. The shop is aware of this problem, and they keep putting these defective lug nuts back on. At my age, it is inconceivable that I would be able to strip these caps and lug nugs by hand. I have the documents, I can get you pictures, but I am not a computer whiz and am currently having problems getting my printer to link up with my PC to download files to send. I will have a family member copy this information and email it to me so I can attempt to send it to you with your reply.
2003 DODGE STRATUS FUEL GAUGE DIAL CONTINUES TO SHIFT TO EMPTY ONCE FUEL IS PLACED IN GAS TANK, SHOWING EMPTY ONLY AFTER A REFILL OF GAS. DO NOT KNOW WHEN HAVE FUEL IN CAR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTOR, BUT ATTEMPTS TO REACH CHRYSLER IS IMPROBABLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES WITHIN THE SEAT TRACK. THE SEAT IS SO LOOSE THAT IT WILL NOT LOCK WITHIN THE TRACK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WILL NOT REPAIR IT. *AK
THE 2003 DODGE STRATUS WE OWN IS NOT SAFE FOR DRIVING. RAPIDLY OVERHEATING AND SHUTTING DOWN, NEAR ACCIDENT WITH SUDDEN STALLING IN TRAFFIC, REGULATORS ON THE ENGINE FAN GOING OUT, HEADGASKETS HAVING TO BE REPLACED. CAR IS NOT A YEAR AND HAS BEEN SERVICED 2 TIMES AND STILL MALFUNCTIONS. JUST GOT CAR BACK FROM SHOP AND HAVE TO RETURN IT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR A SQUEAKING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE BY THE WHEEL. THE SOURCE OF THE SQUEAKING NOISE WAS UNKNOWN. THE ENGINE, A CALIBER TO THE STEERING WHEEL, AIR CONDITIONING, BRAKES, AND THE FLYWHEEL WERE REPLACED. THERE IS A STILL A SQUEAKING NOISE AND CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHERE IT I COMES FROM. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *AK
I BOUGHT MY DODGE STRATUS IN FEB. OF 2004, IT IS A 2003. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES DUE TO THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW GOING OUT, THE AIR CONDITIONING GOING OUT, THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT, THE CD PLAYER IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND NOW THE SAFETY FEATURE (AIR BAG SYSTEM) IS FAILING AS WELL. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS IN THE PAST WITH HIGHER MILES THAN THIS VEHICLE AND I NEVER HAD THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING WITH THIS ONE. I AM UPSET WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT BUYING A NEWER CAR WITH LOW MILES SHOULD LEAVE THE BUYER FEELING HAPPY AND SAFE WITH THEIR DECISION. HOWEVER, I AM NEITHER HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE KNOWING NOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS FIXED MOST OF THE PROBLEMS SO FAR (THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET THE AIR BAG SYSTEM LOOKED FOR A FEW DAYS...SO MUCH FOR SAFETY MATTERS!). I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WITH THE CHRYSLER (DODGE) COMPANY.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT WHEN REACHING 35 MPH, A NOISE IS HEARD FROM IN THE TRANSMISSION AREA. THE DEALERSHIPS TRANSMISSION PERSON HAD THE VEHICLE BROUGHT IN AND CHECKED IT OUT AND VERIFIED WHAT THE SERVICE MANAGER THOUGHT IT WAS. THEY CALLED CHRYSLER STAR ONLINE. THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL TRANSAXLE OPERATION AND NOISE. THEY WOULD NOT LET THE SERVICE PEOPLE FIX THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF CHRYSLER. THE CAR INCREASED IN NOISE AFTER 35 MPH. THE OWNER HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED, BUT CHRYSLER WON'T LET THEM FIX IT. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO CHRYSLER TWICE, AND HAS A REFERENCE NUMBER #13735214. *AK THERE WAS A SCRAPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DISCS WERE COVERED WITH BRAKE DUST. *SC
I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS SXT SEDAN 2.4L. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAPPENED TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS RUSTING ON THE AXLES & BRAKES TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE CAR IT COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF DOWN AND WOULDN'T START, IMMEDIATELY MY CAR DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY "DIED". I DID NOT TAKE NOTE OF THE RUSTING BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP SAID "ALL DODGE CARS ARE RUSTED...*ALL*"A MONTH LATER MY CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR SLIGHTLY, THEN IT WAS PROGRESSING TOWARDS JANUARY WITH VIBRATION OF THE CAR PAST 50 MPH, I DECIDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT BECAME OUT OF HAND AND THEY WERE CLOSED, THEN THE MONDAY THE CAR SHUT ITSELF DOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED INTO PLACE WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND IT HIT PROBABLY A 5 INCH HIGH CURB..OF COURSE THE "RUSTED" RIGHT FRONT END "AXLE", CONTROL BAR & GEAR CONTROLS BROKE OFF. FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR BECAUSE THIS DEALERSHIP SAYS IN OTHER WORDS THAT WE'RE LYING AND IT ISN'T THEIR FAULT NOR WAS IT A MECHANICAL DEFECT. ALSO I HAVE NOTED THAT MY DOORS DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY & MY WINDOWS SLIP OUT OF PLACE. AFTER THE INCIDENT OF MY CAR LOCKING UP AND MY AXLE BEING BROKEN I HAD TO TAKE OUT OF POCKET ONCE AGAIN $1,800 AND THEY FIXED IT..BUT THERE WAS STILL PROBLEMS..THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE AND NOW THERE WAS A KNOCKING/CRACKING SOUND TO THE FRONT & REAR ENDS OF THE CAR, AND I MEAN IT WAS LOUD..TOOK THE CAR BACK FOR THE OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID THEY HEARD NOTHING NOR WAS THERE A VIBRATION!.A MONTH LATER I TOOK THE CAR BACK I SAID THIS WAS RIDICULOUS THAT THIS NOISE IS STILL THERE AND YES OF COURSE WHEN YOU HAVE A HUGE BRAWL AND FIGHT THEY DO FIND THE SO CALLED "PROBLEM"....THE PINS TO HOLD MY BRAKE PADS IN PLACE WEREN'T EVEN THERE!...AND VIBRATION AGAIN? NONE TO BE FOUND...YES I AM THE DRIVER AND THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR HAD BEEN WRECKED BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT AND WE WERE NEVER TOLD ABOUT IT. IT HAS FRONT END DAMAGE. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW. AND I AM LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT MECHANISM WAS ACTIVATED. IT HELD PASSENGER TOO TIGHT, UNABLE TO BREATH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY DODGE STRATUS IN FEB. OF 2004, IT IS A 2003. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES DUE TO THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW GOING OUT, THE AIR CONDITIONING GOING OUT, THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT, THE CD PLAYER IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND NOW THE SAFETY FEATURE (AIR BAG SYSTEM) IS FAILING AS WELL. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS IN THE PAST WITH HIGHER MILES THAN THIS VEHICLE AND I NEVER HAD THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING WITH THIS ONE. I AM UPSET WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT BUYING A NEWER CAR WITH LOW MILES SHOULD LEAVE THE BUYER FEELING HAPPY AND SAFE WITH THEIR DECISION. HOWEVER, I AM NEITHER HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE KNOWING NOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS FIXED MOST OF THE PROBLEMS SO FAR (THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET THE AIR BAG SYSTEM LOOKED FOR A FEW DAYS...SO MUCH FOR SAFETY MATTERS!). I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WITH THE CHRYSLER (DODGE) COMPANY.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .