RoadVitals

2005 Dodge Stratus Engine Problems

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

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
19
Latest Feb 27, 2022
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.
31%
of 62 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Dodge Stratus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 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 engine

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

EngineSuspension
Filed Feb 27, 2022

Unknown the only thing that I can tell you for sure is that struts are bad Call was like this when I bought it

NHTSA ID
11454339
Incident
Feb 27, 2022
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2015

CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKES IT TOOK OFF VERY FAST AND GOT UP TO 70 BEFORE I HAD TO MASH THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND PULL OVER AND FORCE IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY TO STOP THE ENGINE. WHEN RESTARTING THE ENGINE IT CONTINUED REV IN PARK AND NEUTRAL WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM PUTTING IT IN DRIVE'

NHTSA ID
10767472
Incident
Sep 22, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed May 7, 2015

I PURCHASED FROM CAR CHAMPS ON MARCH 27TH STOPPED WORKING MARCH 30TH AND DECIDED TO START RUNNING AGAIN APRIL 4TH THE WHOLE TIME IT WAS OUT OF USE AND BROKEN I CALLED CAR CHAMPS NO ONE RETURNED CALLED OR RESPONDED THE CENTER HAD DATES AND TIMES AND COMPLAINT'S, AS TO SITUATION THE DAY I FINALLY GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM ON MY APPOINTMENT WAS SET FOR THE 9TH HALF WAY THERE TO CAR CHAMPS THE CALL CENTER CALLS ME AND SAS SERVICE MANAGER WHO IS ALSO THE WORKER CANCELED BECAUSE OF AN EMERGENCY, ME STATING THE WHOLE TIME I FEAR FOR MY LIFE IN THIS VEHICLE THEY SOLD ME WHICH I NEEDED A VEHICLE SO BAD FOR MY WORK THAT I TOOK IT HAD BEING TOLD IT WAS THE ONLY ONE I COULD GET I ASKED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AT PURCHASE IS THIS CAR GONNA STOP OR BREAK DOWN ON ME MULTIPLE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THE LOT SAID NO IT WON'T IT'S GOOD CONDITION, THAT WAS A LIE 30 DAY WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT I WAS THERE FOR 4 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES TOPS, IT WAS OUTRAGEOUS A NEW CONDITION DISCOVERED AFTER BEING TOLD IT HAD CRACKED BREAK PADS WHICH COULD OF BROKEN COMPLETELY AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP I COULD HAVE DIED, AS I'M DRIVING AWAY AFTER THE 5 HOUR DELAY 2 NEW LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING THE OIL LIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED AND RAN THERE PHONE OFF THE HOOK TILL SOMEONE ANSWER I WAS TOLD TO GET MY CAR THERE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE HAD TO GO.MIND YOU I'VE BEEN CALLING SINCE 9AM THAT MORNING L I RUSHED DOWN THERE FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP GOING 40/45 MILES PER HOUR ON A HIGHWAY, 18 WHEELER SLAMMING BREAKS AND BUMPIN AND TOTALLY FEARING FOR MY LIFE AFTER H A 5 HOUR AND 30 MINUTE WAIT FOR CAR CHAMPS TOW TRUCK TO GET US AND TAKE US TO THERE SERVICE LOT, AS OF TODAY THEY TOWED LONER VEHICLE GIVEN TO ME AFTER I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL 2 DAYS CUZ OF THERE ACCIDENT AND LEMON CAR LEAVING A MESSAGE SAYING WERE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS AND DO A CAR SWITCH OUT THEN REPOSSESSING THERE CAR STILL UNDER 30 DAY WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10715084
Incident
Apr 22, 2015
Mileage
123,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 2, 2014

THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE COOLANT AIR BLEEDER VALVE DO TO BEING A DEFECTIVE PART NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OR SIMILAR YEARS, I'M DISABLED AND NEED MY CAR FOR DR. APPOINTMENTS, DON'T WANT TO END UP IN CAR ACCIDENTS DO TO THIS ISSUE PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED OTHER INFO[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10586257
Incident
Sep 28, 2012
Mileage
93,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ID
10547285
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
134,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 30, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10495276
Incident
Sep 4, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 9, 2011

***UPDATE ON MY INITIAL COMPLAINT*** MECHANICS HAVE DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF MY NON-STOP OIL LEAKS/SPILLS IS FROM A MOVING CRANKSHAFT THAT CAUSES THE SEAL TO POP OUT, AND THUS, CONTINUOUS OIL SPILLAGE. THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO LUCK. IT IS NOT FIXABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10381375
Incident
Dec 15, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2011

DECEMBER 2010 I NOTICED A MASSIVE OIL LEAK/SPILL UNDER MY CAR. TOOK TO SHOP IMMEDIATELY. THEY TOOK APART TIMING COVER SET AND DID SOME REPLACEMENTS. COST APPROXIMATELY $900. A FEW WEEKS LATER, AN EVEN BIGGER OIL LEAK/SPILL. TOOK TO SHOP IMMEDIATELY. THEY REPLACED SOME SORT OF PART FOR FREE SEEING AS IT WAS THE SAME/SIMILAR ISSUE AND I WAS JUST RECENTLY IN THERE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, YET ANOTHER MASSIVE OIL LEAK/SPILL COMING FROM MY CAR. TOOK TO SHOP IMMEDIATELY (3RD TIME IN ABOUT 6 WEEKS). MECHANIC SAID OIL DEFINITELY LEAKING FROM ENGINE AND THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO OIL LEFT IN THE ENGINE. THEY TELL ME THAT THEY ARE AT A LOSS. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM W/OUT A CAR FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG...AGAIN. THE SHOP OWNER SAYS HE IS WORKING ON GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ISSUE AND THAT HE IS CONTACTING DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND NATIONAL RECALL TO SEE IF I AM THE ONLY ONE. I DON'T HAVE ANYMORE MONEY AND TIME FOR THIS. I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK AND OTHER PEOPLE CANT DRIVE ME AROUND ANYMORE. ON TOP OF THAT, MY LANDLORD SAYS THAT I MAY NOT BE GETTING MY DEPOSIT BACK DUE TO THE DAMAGE THE OIL COMING FROM MY VEHICLE HAS DONE TO THE GROUND IN OUR PARKING GARAGE. PLEASE RECALL!! I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO! *TR

NHTSA ID
10381154
Incident
Dec 15, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2010

MY 2005 DODGE STRATUS STALLS WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT DOES IT OUT OF NO WHERE. I WAS ON A BUSY HWY AND IT ALMOST CUT OFF. MY CAR SPUTTERED ALL THE WAY HOME AND THEN IT STARTED DRIVING LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPEN. A DAY OR TWO LATER IT HAPPENS ALL OVER AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365517
Incident
Oct 28, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2010

MY 2005 DODGE STRATUS HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT THAT KEEPS MOVING, WHICH IS CAUSING THE CRANK SEAL TO POP OUT, SO IT CAUSES OIL TO START POURING OUT. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER, AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I HAD ALSO TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANICS MORE THEN ONCE TO TRY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM DOESN'T SEEM FIXIBLE. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM, AND IT WASN'T CAUSE BY US DRIVING THIS CAR. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JAN/2010. *TR

NHTSA ID
10327533
Incident
Feb 13, 2010
Mileage
71,246 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2009

DODGE 2005 STRATUS ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE SEIZED UP. NO OIL IN ENGINE CAUSED STALL. OIL LIGHT CAME ON & THOUGHT THAT IT INDICATED LOW OIL. INSTEAD OIL LIGHT INDICATED NO OIL IN ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE SEIZE UP, TIMING BELT BREAKING, STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF MIDTOWN MANHATTAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10274869
Incident
Jun 18, 2009
Mileage
56,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 13, 2008

I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR A FATALITY. THE PROBLEM THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS IS IN THE 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM 2005 TO PRESENT. THE CRANKSHAFT MOVES INSIDE THE ENGINE (ENDPLAY) AND PUSHES THE FRONT MAIN SEAL TO COME OUT. THIS SPILLS THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF OIL ONTO THE ROAD AND COVERS THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED THE SHOP SAID IT WAS SURPRISING THAT THE CAR DID NOT CRASH FIRE. DODGE REFUSES TO FIX THE CAR, BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DODGE SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245244
Incident
Jan 26, 2007
Mileage
62,015 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY SO THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF AND IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY. A COUPLE OF MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE FAILURE KEPT RECURRING FOR THE NEXT THREE HOURS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE PART NEEDED FOR INSPECTION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A FAILURE CODE. THE CONTACT RENTED A U-HAUL TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED; HOWEVER, THEY ALSO COULD NOT PROVIDE A CODE FOR THE FAILURE. ANOTHER DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE FOR THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION AS WELL. SHE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AND DROVE FOR APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AND A HALF WITHOUT ANY FAILURES. THE FAILURE HAS RECENTLY RECURRED AND TAKES PLACE WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALES DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR FOUR DAYS. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER NEW AND DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

NHTSA ID
10241745
Incident
Jun 13, 2008
Mileage
56,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2008
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE TWO VEHICLE LENGTHS BEFORE HIM, CAUSED HIM TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT OF HIS HOOD WAS JAMMED UNDER THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. A PASSERBY INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE OTHER VEHICLE AS WELL. BOTH VEHICLES BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND FILED REPORTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA ID
10235451
Incident
May 2, 2008
Mileage
74,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SEAL ON THE FRONT CRANK SHAFT FAILED AND BEGAN LEAKING OIL. A REPLACEMENT SEAL WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A 1/4 INCH MOVEMENT IN THE CRANKSHAFT AND THE SEAL FAILED AGAIN. THE TIMING BELT WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,848. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10219556
Incident
Feb 23, 2008
Mileage
48,848 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

NHTSA ID
10217433
Incident
Jan 7, 2008
Mileage
64,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 8, 2007

I HAD MY DODGE STRATUS (WHICH HAS 37053 MILES) HAVE A RADIATOR FAN GO BAD FOR THE SECOND TIME IN APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS. I REPLACED THE RADIATOR FAN THE FIRST TIME DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT TOOK ME 5 MINUTES TO DO AND WAS AN EASY FIX (APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY/MARCH TIMEFRAME). ON MONDAY, MAY 14, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE HOME FROM NORTHERN WISCONSIN WHEN MY TEMP GAUGE SKYROCKETED TO THE TOP OF THE GAUGE. AFTER PULLING OVER AT A SAFE LOCATION (WAS IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE) AND HAVING THE DEALER TOW THE CAR TO THE LOT, I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT MY ENGINE WAS NOW BAD DUE TO OVERHEATING AND LOSS OF COOLANT. THE RADIATOR FAN HAD FAILED THE EXACT SAME WAY AS IT HAD BEFORE AND THIS TIME CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. MY RADIATOR FAN WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO I HAD REPLACED IT MYSELF BACK IN FEBRUARY/MARCH. ALL-IN-ALL CHRYSLER SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY (ENGINE AND DRIVETIME UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 70000 MILES) BECAUSE THE FAN I HAD INSTALLED FAILED AND CAUSED THE DAMAGE. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS DUE TO A LACK OF QUALITY IN THE PART, THUS CAUSING FAILURE AND TERMINATION OF MY VEHICLE. I'D LIKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED BUT DONT KNOW WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FAN'S FAILURE THE FIRST TIME AFTER REMOVING IT FROM THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10192732
Incident
May 14, 2007
Mileage
37,053 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE CONSUMER REPEATEDLY PUMPED THE PEDAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10173377
Incident
Nov 13, 2006
Mileage
16,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 13, 2005

DEFECTIVE ENGINE DESIGN. OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP IN 2001 DODGE INTREPID 2.7L ENGINE, LEADING TO DEALER DIAGNOSIS OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT NEEDED, WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEERVICED PER VEHICLE MANUAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10116845
Incident
Apr 8, 2005
Mileage
58,000 mi

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 sources

Data on this page last refreshed .