Owners have filed 196 complaints
about the 2004 Dodge Stratus with NHTSA between 2004 and 2025.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 33
Against the median year of the Dodge Stratus. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 92
17.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 59
35% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Rear
1737.0%
Automatic Transmission
613.0%
Engine
510.9%
Frontal
510.9%
Fuel Pump
48.7%
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
36.5%
Retractor
36.5%
Ignition
36.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
21.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
159.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
138.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
3523.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2818.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1610.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
3321.7%
150,000+ miles
106.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2004peak 12Jul 2025
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 179,171 milesLombard, ILCrash8 injured
AIR BAGS
DRIVING ON A 35 MPH ROAD GOING ACROSS THE CROSS ROAD GOT HIT BY A TRUCK DOING ABOUT 70 MPH. HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BUMPER TO THE BACK EDGE TRUCK F THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. PUT INTO A SPIN THEN WAS HIT IN THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND BUMPER. NO AIR BAGS CAME OUT WITH MASSIVE TRAUMA TO BOTH MYSELF AS DRIVER AND MY PASSENGER. POLICE, AMBULANCE AND DOCTORS ASKED WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT EXPAND. IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD OF WORKED LESS INJURIES WOULD OF HAPPENED. WE HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED TO CROSS THE ROAD AT LIKE ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN HIT.
NHTSA complaint #11140568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,200 milesSaginaw, MIFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WENT TO VISIT SON AND YES I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO HAVE IT CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. SO I MADE IT TO MY SONS HOME THEN I HAVE TO MAKE A RUN TO THE STORE AS I GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY TO DRIVE A GUY STARTS TO FLAG ME DOWN AND SAID THERE WAS SPARKS UNDER MY CAR AN SOON AS I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE WHOLE FRONT PART OF MY CAR CAUGHT A FIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED CAR WAS TOWED. THEY SAY ITS NOTHING THEY CAN DO EVEN THROUGH IT IS A RECALL ON THE CAR FOR THAT REASON,NO ONE WILL RETURN MY CALLS FROM THE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10715786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,056 milesSpringfield, MOCrash
AIR BAGS
HIT A CAR DOING 85 MPH RIPPING OFF MY FRONT BUMPER AN SIDE PANAL ON PASSSENGER SIDE ALONG WIT HEADLITE ASSEMBLY AN GRILL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10679306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesLomira, WICrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS FOLLOWING A SEMI WHEN HE MISSED HIS TURN AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO STOP AND I HIT THE BACK END OF THE TRAILER. HALF OF THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WENT RIGHT UNDER THE TRAILER AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED. ON IMPACT, MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED BRUISING AND SEVERE PAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10636938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, ALCrash
ENGINE
CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ABOUT 1 DAY. AS I STARTED THE CAR I HEARD A BIG BANG, AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP. CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. NO WARNINGS OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. I DECIDED TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, AND I PULLED OUT THE DIPSTICK AND SPOTTED A DARK MILKY SUBSTANCE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 3YRS. AGO, AND KEPT THE MAINTENANCE UP ON THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10501821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,625 milesChatsworth, GACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE AT A STOP OR COMING TO A STOP, TOOK TO DEALER IN 2009 DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT HAS DONE THIS EVER SINCE. TODAY IT ACTUALLY ACCELERATED HARDER WILE AT A COMPLETE STOP MAKING ME HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME NO DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10499728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 136,334 milesGreat Falls, MT
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated while reversing, the passenger's side front wheel detached. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair with similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,334.
NHTSA complaint #11672372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burton, MI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel pump went out and in order for me to replace the fuel pump you have drop the tank. I could not get the intake hose off or the smaller fuel line along side it off. And there very little room to work with to get it off. And I have purchased the vehicle a little over a year ago and was not told about any recalls on this vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11507459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesTucson, AZ
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and then lost motive power. Additionally, the front passenger's side ball stud separated from the ball joint housing, and the front passenger's side tire was stuck on the fender, preventing the engine from falling onto the ground. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. While the vehicle was being placed on the flatbed tow truck, the oil filter fractured and detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
NHTSA complaint #11442006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Derry, NH
SUSPENSION
2.7 liter engine should be recalled and replaced because? 1. The internal water pump which have been known to wear out prematurely and destroy the engine regardless how well the owner maintains vehicle. 2. Subframe and rear suspension crossmember should be replace due to rotting out prematurely. 3 Gloss on paint prone to pealing.
NHTSA complaint #11418424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Derry, NH
STRUCTURE:BODY
2.7 liter engine should be recalled and replaced because? 1. The internal water pump which have been known to wear out prematurely and destroy the engine regardless how well the owner maintains vehicle. 2. Subframe and rear suspension crossmember should be replace due to rotting out prematurely. 3 Gloss on paint prone to pealing.
NHTSA complaint #11418424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Derry, NH
ENGINE
2.7 liter engine should be recalled and replaced because? 1. The internal water pump which have been known to wear out prematurely and destroy the engine regardless how well the owner maintains vehicle. 2. Subframe and rear suspension crossmember should be replace due to rotting out prematurely. 3 Gloss on paint prone to pealing.
NHTSA complaint #11418424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,508 milesChicago, IL
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WERE UNKNOWN RATTLING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHEELS WERE WOBBLING AS IF THEY WERE GOING TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINTS ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,508.
NHTSA complaint #11415037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesJenison, MI
WHEELS
I HAVE NOTICED WHEN I AM TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THERE APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT OF A LACK OF CONTROL AND LOOSENING OF THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AS I AM DRIVING. ALSO, THE SUSPENSION ON MY VEHICLE HAS BECOME MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED NEGATIVELY.
NHTSA complaint #11321000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesJenison, MI
STEERING
I HAVE NOTICED WHEN I AM TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THERE APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT OF A LACK OF CONTROL AND LOOSENING OF THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AS I AM DRIVING. ALSO, THE SUSPENSION ON MY VEHICLE HAS BECOME MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED NEGATIVELY.
NHTSA complaint #11321000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesJenison, MI
SUSPENSION
I HAVE NOTICED WHEN I AM TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THERE APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT OF A LACK OF CONTROL AND LOOSENING OF THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AS I AM DRIVING. ALSO, THE SUSPENSION ON MY VEHICLE HAS BECOME MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED NEGATIVELY.
NHTSA complaint #11321000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesBelmont, NC
SUSPENSION
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 5MPH, MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED CAUSING COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL AND CONTROL ARM IN TURN CAUSING MY AXLE TO COME OUT FROM THE TRANSMISSION AT THE CV JOINT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS BALL JOINT ISSUE BUT NOT FOR MY VIN SPECIFICALLY.
NHTSA complaint #11308351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesTrenton, IL
STEERING
AS I AM TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING OR IDLE THE STEERING IS MAKING A SQUEAKING/CREAKING NOISE I BELIEVE IT HAS TO DO WITH RECALL: 10E059000 FRONT CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM
NHTSA complaint #11278104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesTrenton, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AS I AM TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING OR IDLE THE STEERING IS MAKING A SQUEAKING/CREAKING NOISE I BELIEVE IT HAS TO DO WITH RECALL: 10E059000 FRONT CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM
NHTSA complaint #11278104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,171 milesLombard, ILCrash8 injured
AIR BAGS
DRIVING ON A 35 MPH ROAD GOING ACROSS THE CROSS ROAD GOT HIT BY A TRUCK DOING ABOUT 70 MPH. HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BUMPER TO THE BACK EDGE TRUCK F THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. PUT INTO A SPIN THEN WAS HIT IN THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND BUMPER. NO AIR BAGS CAME OUT WITH MASSIVE TRAUMA TO BOTH MYSELF AS DRIVER AND MY PASSENGER. POLICE, AMBULANCE AND DOCTORS ASKED WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT EXPAND. IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD OF WORKED LESS INJURIES WOULD OF HAPPENED. WE HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED TO CROSS THE ROAD AT LIKE ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN HIT.
NHTSA complaint #11140568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER A BUMP, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 34782223. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
NHTSA complaint #11112750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 233,000 milesRaleigh, NC
STEERING
THE BALL JOINT ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY SEPARATED CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO STEER THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA RECALL #10E059000 AND #09E056000. I THINK THE CONTROL ARM WAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PART. I'LL ATTACH PICTURES WITH THE PART NUMBER.
NHTSA complaint #11024252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesDysart, IA
POWER TRAIN
CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ON CITY STREET. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND BE HARD TO TURN. SOMETIMES SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING CORRECTLY. CAR WILL SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11011533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesDysart, IA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ON CITY STREET. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND BE HARD TO TURN. SOMETIMES SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING CORRECTLY. CAR WILL SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11011533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesDysart, IA
STEERING
CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ON CITY STREET. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND BE HARD TO TURN. SOMETIMES SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING CORRECTLY. CAR WILL SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11011533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dysart, IA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LATELY WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN A COUPLE MINUTES AFTER IT COMES ON THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP. IT HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN BUT THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULDN'T WORK. AFTER THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED BUT NOW WHENEVER IT MALFUNCTIONS THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT START AGAIN UNTIL ITS BEEN SITTING UNTOUCHED FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TOWN (25 MPH) AND ON ROADS UP TO 55 MPHS.
NHTSA complaint #11003866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dysart, IA
STEERING
LATELY WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN A COUPLE MINUTES AFTER IT COMES ON THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP. IT HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN BUT THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULDN'T WORK. AFTER THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED BUT NOW WHENEVER IT MALFUNCTIONS THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT START AGAIN UNTIL ITS BEEN SITTING UNTOUCHED FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TOWN (25 MPH) AND ON ROADS UP TO 55 MPHS.
NHTSA complaint #11003866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dysart, IA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
LATELY WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN A COUPLE MINUTES AFTER IT COMES ON THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP. IT HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN BUT THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULDN'T WORK. AFTER THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED BUT NOW WHENEVER IT MALFUNCTIONS THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT START AGAIN UNTIL ITS BEEN SITTING UNTOUCHED FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TOWN (25 MPH) AND ON ROADS UP TO 55 MPHS.
NHTSA complaint #11003866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,597 milesMorgan, MN
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND I PARKED AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE. ME AND HIM WERE TALKING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF. NO ONE WAS TOUCHING THE CAR AND I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TRIGGERED THE AIRBAG TO GO OFF. AND I'M GLAD I WASN'T ON THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10992066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesTacoma, WA
POWER TRAIN
LOWER LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT BROKEN. THE OUTER BEARING CARRIER, FELL AWAY FROM THE SUSPENSION ARM, PULLING THE HALF SHAFT OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY JAMMED UP IN THE WHEEL WELL WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION JUST FOLLOWING A TURN, IN A PARKING AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10990936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesTacoma, WA
STEERING
LOWER LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT BROKEN. THE OUTER BEARING CARRIER, FELL AWAY FROM THE SUSPENSION ARM, PULLING THE HALF SHAFT OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY JAMMED UP IN THE WHEEL WELL WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION JUST FOLLOWING A TURN, IN A PARKING AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10990936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.