FaultScore

2006 Dodge Stratus engine problems

20 of the 110 complaints about the 2006 Dodge Stratus are about the engine — 18% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 53,300 miles.

D

20

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine AND Engine Cooling 7 35.0%
Engine 6 30.0%
Engine 6 30.0%
Emission Control 1 5.0%

Engine & Cooling across every Dodge Stratus year

1995 116 11.0%
1996 360 34.3%
1997 177 16.8%
1998 125 11.9%
1999 57 5.4%
2000 26 2.5%
2001 61 5.8%
2002 51 4.9%
2003 11 1.0%
2004 26 2.5%
2005 21 2.0%
2006 20 1.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 82,988 miles Christi, TX

ENGINE

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 complaint #11128860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles East Cleveland, OH

ENGINE

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 complaint #10968377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Memphis, TN Fire

ENGINE

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 complaint #10874932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Prospect Park, PA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10564273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,636 miles Stevens Point, WI Fire

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10553943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Spotsylvania, VA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10507111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Punxsutawney, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10441985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rock Hill, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10424217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Brighton, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 complaint #10336192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Seven Valley, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

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 complaint #10290393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Hinton, WV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10267231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Roswell, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 complaint #10260617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Decatur, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 complaint #10257342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,575 miles South Bend, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10253082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,300 miles Murfeesboro, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10233837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cecilia, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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!!!

NHTSA complaint #10227629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 complaint #10225375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,856 miles Springfiled, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 complaint #10214397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,818 miles Little Rock, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10197697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 complaint #10157295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 Dodge Stratus problems

← Full 2006 Dodge Stratus report