RoadVitals

2006 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.
20
Latest Sep 12, 2018
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.
27%
of 74 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.
0

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 2006 Dodge Stratus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 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

ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR MITSUBISHI (2440 S PADRE ISLAND DR, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415, (361) 229-7222) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING, THE ALARM SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ALL STAR MITSUBISHI WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,988.

NHTSA ID
11128860
Incident
Sep 6, 2018
Mileage
82,988 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Mar 24, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND A NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ID
10968377
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
147,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN TRAFFIC, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE CONTACT LATER OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10874932
Incident
Jun 4, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 13, 2014

THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SLUDGE ON THE PICK UP TUBE CLOCKED THE SCREEN AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. ALWAYS HAD THE OIL AND FILTER CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. NEVER HERD OF HAVING TO DROP THE PAN AND CLEAN A PICK UP TUBE WHEN DOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. OWNED LOTS OF CARS IN THE 30 YEARS I BEEN DRIVING AND NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS. CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR OVER A YEAR AND I STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS EVERY MONTH. DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW ENGINE. THANKS DODGE. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN. PIECE OF CRAP ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10564273
Incident
Jan 5, 2013
Mileage
107,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 26, 2013
Fire reported

VALVE GASKET COVER ON ENGINE LEAKS OIL. THIS IS NOW THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN LESS THAN A YEAR. IT HAPPENED IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND NOW IN NOVEMBER 2013. THE 3RD TIME THE OIL LEAK CAUSED A FIRE ON THE ENGINE. THE AUTO PLACE TOLD ME EVERY TIME THEY FIX THIS, THE ENGINE SOMEHOW EVENTUALLY WARPS THE VALVE GASKET COVER. THIS WOULD SUGGEST A DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BECOME BOTH EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553943
Incident
Jan 11, 2013
Mileage
76,636 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 4, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HER THAT OIL WAS LEAKING DUE TO THE SEALS AND THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10507111
Incident
Mar 28, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 31, 2011

THE FRONT OIL SEAL CAME OUT OF ITS SEAT CAUSING MASSIVE OIL LEAK. AFTER ENGINE REMOVAL AND DISASSEMBLY I FOUND THE WRONG LOWER MAIN THRUST BEARING WAS INSTALLED. THIS CAUSED EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE TOP THRUST BEARING CAUSING BEARING FAILURE CAUSING END PLAY IN CRANKSHAFT RESULTING IN OIL SEAL FAILURE. FIRE DANGER FROM OIL COVERING UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. THE LOWER MAIN BEARINGS WERE ALL THE SAME. NO FLANGED THRUST BEARING. *KB

NHTSA ID
10441985
Incident
Dec 15, 2011
Mileage
67,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Sep 8, 2011

MY CAR LEAKS WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN I RUN DEFROSTERS/AIR CONDITIONING. I LOOKED THIS UP ON LINE AND IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRAIN TUBE ON DODGE/ CHRYLSER CAR. THIS IS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR BUT A COMPLAINT ON THE CAR. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2008 DODGE CARAVANS/CHRYSLER TOWN/COUNTRY'S. THE DODGE DEALERSHIPS SAYS IT CANNOT HELP ME BECAUSE MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE RECALL. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. ALSO ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ALSO, WHEN YOU LOOK IT UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10424217
Incident
Jul 10, 2009
Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SECONDS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED IN OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SEAL AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 09/09/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SEAL FAILED THREE MORE TIMES. UPDATED 09/10/10

NHTSA ID
10336192
Incident
Apr 24, 2010
Mileage
54,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN HER VEHICLE AFTER FILLING UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED THE GAS TANK BUT IT WILL COST HER $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 12/09/09 *BF THE DEALER FOUND THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AROUND THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A SMALL EVAPORATOR LEAK. UPDATED 12/11/09

NHTSA ID
10290393
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
53,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2009

MY 2006 STRATUS HAS JUST 44,000 MILES. I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER MY CAR AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR A MONTH, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CRANKSHAFT HAD PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AND DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10267231
Incident
Mar 20, 2009
Mileage
44,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL IN HER DRIVEWAY AND OBSERVED THE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MAIN FRONT SEAL OF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS BLOWN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR FAILURES SHE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

NHTSA ID
10260617
Incident
Feb 20, 2009
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 3, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR CENTER AND THEN TO FIRESTONE REPAIR CENTER BECAUSE FIRESTONE WAS THE LAST REPAIR SHOP TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER, WHICH COST $400 AND INCLUDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE $400 WAS PAID. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS PURCHASED FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE FAILURE. A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, ONLY THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ID
10257342
Incident
Nov 24, 2008
Mileage
34,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 29, 2008

VEHICLE IS 2006 DODGE STRATUS 2.7L V6. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO ENGINE FAILURE. WAS WARMING UP VEHICLE ON COLD WINTER DAY. MADE IT BACK TO FRONT DOOR, CAR HAD SHUTOFF, WENT TO RESTART CAR, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THAT SAID ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY STATING NEGLIGENCE OF OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10253082
Incident
Dec 22, 2008
Mileage
33,575 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 10, 2008

JAN 17,2008 CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AT 53,300 MILES. CALL DEALERSHIP SAID BRING IN TO REPLACE THE MAIN CRANK SEAL AND HOPEFULLY THAT SHOULD FIX PROBLEM AND IF NOT THE I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE CRANK SHAFT. WELL 3,000 MILES LATER LESS THAN A MONTH LATER CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AGAIN. CAR BEEN PARKED SINCE CALL DEALERSHIP SET UP TO HAVE CRANK SHAFT REPLACE THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT THEY TOLD ME REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT AND THE CAR WOULD BEEN FINE THIS WAS MAY 20,2008 IT TOOK THEN A MONTH TO GET MY PART WITH MY CAR SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP THEN A WEEK AND HALF THEY CALL ME SAYING THE CRANK SHAFT WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE BASELY THE CRANK HAD DESTROY MY ENGINE AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I'VE TRY TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO EITHER REPLACE THE BAD ENGINE OR GIVE ME A REASONABLE TRADE .I WAS TOLD BY THERE SERVICE PEOPLE TO PUT A SEAL IN IT AND GET RID OF IT DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE MOTOR THEN THE SAME THING FROM THERE GENERAL MANGER WHEN I ASKED FOR HELP THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND GET RID OF IT. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SEAL AGAIN TRYING TO TAKE MY CAR HOME IN LESS THAN A 1 1/2 THE SEAL CAME OUT AGAIN I HAVE CALLED AT DIFFERENT TIME TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVE THE WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALLS .I HAVE CONTACTED THE CORP AND STILL HAVEN'T ANY RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233837
Incident
Jan 17, 2007
Mileage
53,300 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2008

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I PURCHASED A 2006 DODGE STRATUS IN 2006. AND AM ALREADY WORKING ON PUTTING IN MY SECOND BOTTOM END OF THE MOTOR. IT STARTED LEAKING OIL AT 17,000 MILES AND NOW IT'S STARTED BACK LEAKING OIL IN THE SAME SPOT AT 46000 MILES. TO SAY THE LEAST MY WORK ORDER TO GET MY NOW OUT OF WARRANTED CAR FIXED SAYS THE SAME THING IT SAID AT 17000 MILES. NOW I'M LOOKING AT PAYING OUT OVER 5,500 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. AND STILL HAVE TO MAKE A CAR PAYMENT ON THIS JUNK!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10227629
Incident
May 4, 2008
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Apr 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 46 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THE OIL IS CONSTANTLY A QUART LOW IN THE VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS INACCURATE READINGS AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CALIBRATION FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ID
10225375
Incident
Sep 11, 2007
Mileage
41,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. ONE MONTH LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. HE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT MOMENTS LATER. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND COASTED TO A NEARBY DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS THROTTLE FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO FAIL AS WELL. THE ENGINE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,856.

NHTSA ID
10214397
Incident
Dec 12, 2007
Mileage
35,856 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 27, 2007

THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED A LITTLE AND DIED. AFTER GETTING IT STARTED AND GOING FURTHER UP THE STREET IN TRAFFIC, IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED UP TO THIS POINT. I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10197697
Incident
Jul 21, 2007
Mileage
36,818 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 26, 2006

WHILE DRIVING A RENTED DODGE STRATUS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO 35 MPH. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. *NM *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO GAS GOING TO THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. UPDATED 06/03/10

NHTSA ID
10157295
Incident
Apr 11, 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.

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 .