Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 10 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
13 reports
13,000 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS COUPE HAS FAULTY STARTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERS TWICE BEFORE. THERE WAS ONE OCCASION WHEN IT DIDN'T START, THEN HOURS LATER ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DID. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS, THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH A LARGE EVAPORATION LEA…
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MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS COUPE HAS FAULTY STARTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERS TWICE BEFORE. THERE WAS ONE OCCASION WHEN IT DIDN'T START, THEN HOURS LATER ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DID. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS, THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH A LARGE EVAPORATION LEAK. THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM , KEPT THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS, THEN TOLD ME THE CAR STARTED ON ITS OWN. THIS LAST TIME THE CAR DIED WHEN I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I TRIED TO RESTART IT MANY TIMES WITH NO LUCK, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, WHICH AT FIRST THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE PSM CONNECTION TO THE FUEL PUMP. BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED WHILE THEY TRIED TO FIX IT WHICH CAUSED A SHORTAGE , THEN THEY REALIZED IT WAS "DEFECTIVE WIRING". THE MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP ARE NOW TAKING MY CAR APART AND TRYING TO REPLACE ALL THE FAULTY WIRING. BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE, I HAVE SERVICE RECEIPTS SHOWING "WON'T START, DRIVABILITY CONCERN" DATING BACK FROM 6/13/02 , 14 MONTHS PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING THE NEW VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10132661
22,000 miles · Oct 21, 2003
Electrical System
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. CAR WAS RUNNING AT EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS AT TIMES. GAS MILEAGE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN IN THE PAST. DODGE STATED ORIGINALLY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE SPARK PLUGS. REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS. LIGHT CAME BACK ON TWO WEEKS LATER. THEY THEN STATED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PULLEY ON …
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SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. CAR WAS RUNNING AT EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS AT TIMES. GAS MILEAGE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN IN THE PAST. DODGE STATED ORIGINALLY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE SPARK PLUGS. REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS. LIGHT CAME BACK ON TWO WEEKS LATER. THEY THEN STATED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PULLEY ON THE END OF THE CRANK SHAFT THAT WAS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND TRIGGER THE LIGHT TO COME ON. AFTER 10 ADDITIONAL DAYS IN THE SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE PART. TODAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AS OF NOW ARE UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TODAY IS THE 18TH DAY IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043323
100 miles · May 18, 2003
Structure
2002 STRATUS MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING VEHICLE AND GOING ACROSS ROAD BUMPS AT SAME TIME. OUR DRIVE HAS A 6 IN SLOPED CURB THAT WHEN PULLING OUT OF, OR PULLING INTO, IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF THIS NOISE. DEALER SERVICE TECH WENT ON TEST RIDE WITH ME HEARD THE NOISE AND COULD NOT FIND SOURCE. HE WANTED TO KEEP CAR FOR SEVERAL DA…
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2002 STRATUS MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING VEHICLE AND GOING ACROSS ROAD BUMPS AT SAME TIME. OUR DRIVE HAS A 6 IN SLOPED CURB THAT WHEN PULLING OUT OF, OR PULLING INTO, IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF THIS NOISE. DEALER SERVICE TECH WENT ON TEST RIDE WITH ME HEARD THE NOISE AND COULD NOT FIND SOURCE. HE WANTED TO KEEP CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018881
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Dodge Stratus Coupe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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