IllustrationCONSUMER NOTICED OIL STAINS ON DRIVEWAY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER HE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. *AK
1998 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge Stratus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 168.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Stratus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 67 of 272 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 121 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports17 fire reports16 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
121 reports1998 DODGE STRATUS 2.4L ENGINE AUTOMATIC 1. THE ENGINE IS SEVERLY LEAKING OIL. TWO MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND BOTH SAID IT NEEDS A NEW HEAD GASKET. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT. UPON RESEARCH, THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE GASKET TYPE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM…
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1998 DODGE STRATUS 2.4L ENGINE AUTOMATIC 1. THE ENGINE IS SEVERLY LEAKING OIL. TWO MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND BOTH SAID IT NEEDS A NEW HEAD GASKET. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT. UPON RESEARCH, THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE GASKET TYPE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM! 2. TRUNK LATCH SEEMS TO HAVE A STICKING PROBLEM. THIS TOO SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *LA
I'VE STARTED EXPERIENCING BOTH HEAD GASKET LEAKS AS WELL AS AIR CONDITION ISSUES. I HAVE PAID OUT OVER $2,500 COMBINED OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS. NOW, I READ THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE THAT HAS A 1998 DODGE STRATUS.*AK
ENGINE HEAD CASKET IS BLOWN, CAUSING MAJOR OIL LEAKAGE. *NLM
I HAVE A 2.4 LITER 4-CYLINDER DODGE STRATUS THAT HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS DEVELOPED A HEAD GASKET LEAK. I'VE OBTAINED SEVERAL ESTIMATES RANGING FROM $700-$950 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. DAIMLER CHRYSLER WILL NOT ISSUE ANY TYPE OF RECALL FOR THIS CAR OR MANY OTHER MODELS LIKE THE BREEZE, NEON, AVENGER AND CIRRUS. THEY ARE A…
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I HAVE A 2.4 LITER 4-CYLINDER DODGE STRATUS THAT HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS DEVELOPED A HEAD GASKET LEAK. I'VE OBTAINED SEVERAL ESTIMATES RANGING FROM $700-$950 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. DAIMLER CHRYSLER WILL NOT ISSUE ANY TYPE OF RECALL FOR THIS CAR OR MANY OTHER MODELS LIKE THE BREEZE, NEON, AVENGER AND CIRRUS. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN FOR SOME TIME YET THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY NOR HAVE THEY ATTEMPTED TO REDESIGN THESE ENGINES SO THE HEAD GASKETS DON'T LEAK. WHEN YOU PUT AN ALUMINUM HEAD ON A CAST-IRON BLOCK, THERE WILL BE LEAKS. THE TWO DIFFERENT METALS HAVE TOO MANY DIFFERENCES IN HOW THEY REACT TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES. AS LONG AS THESE METALS ARE PAIRED TOGETHER (AND THE UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC KEEPS BUYING THIS ILL-THOUGHT-OUT DESIGN) THERE WILL BE LEAKS. *JB
ENGINE HEAD CASKET BLEW OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL LEAKING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
"THE FAMOUS HEAD GASKET FAILURE THAT NOBODY WANTS TO TOUCH". YES, I HAVE A 98 DODGE STRATUS THAT IS LEAKING AT THE HEAD GASKET. I HAD TO BUY ONE OF THOSE FLAT PANS TO CATCH THE OIL IN WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. MY 2 YEAR OLD GOT OUT THERE THE OTHER DAY AND DECIDED TO PLAY IN THE USED OIL. IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? …
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"THE FAMOUS HEAD GASKET FAILURE THAT NOBODY WANTS TO TOUCH". YES, I HAVE A 98 DODGE STRATUS THAT IS LEAKING AT THE HEAD GASKET. I HAD TO BUY ONE OF THOSE FLAT PANS TO CATCH THE OIL IN WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. MY 2 YEAR OLD GOT OUT THERE THE OTHER DAY AND DECIDED TO PLAY IN THE USED OIL. IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? HAVING TO KEEP A PAN OF DIRTY OIL UNDER A CAR? I DRAIN IT ONCE A WEEK AND GET AT LEAST 1 QUART. (AND HAVE TO PAY TO DISPOSE OF IT) COME ON HERE! SO, ON TOP OF THE FIRE HAZARD (HOT OIL ON A HOT CATALYST), NOW WE HAVE POISONING ISSUES WITH OUR CHILDREN. IS ANYBODY GOING TO HELP US, OR SHOULD WE JUST START THE WHOLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? I AM SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE HERE TO BACK ME UP ON THIS. ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS HERE, DODGE ALREADY KNOWS ABOUT IT AND MADE A STRONGER GASKET TO REPLACE IT WITH. *NLM
THE VEHICLE LOST OIL, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE TUBE AND CLAMP. *JB
I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY 2 MECHANICS THAT I HAVE A HEAD GASKET LEAK. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 37,250 MILES. THE REPAIR COST IS 7-8 HUNDRED DOLLARS. I AM RETIRED, ON A FIXED INCOME AND FEEL CHRYSLER CORPORATION SHOULD REPAIR THIS DEFECT.*JB
OIL LEAK IN MY 1998 DODGE STRATUS AFTER ONLY 35,000 MILES. *JB
Official recalls
304V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Jan 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
99V244000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 15, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.
98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
Aug 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.
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
2EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.