Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
1025–50K
2250–75K
2675–100K
31100–150K
18150K+
116 reports with mileage · 100 unknown
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.
Steering. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports64 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
216 reports
137,000 miles · Sep 16, 2005
Structure
DT: WHERE THE HOOD FASTENED THERE WAS A LEVER IN THE OUTER SKIN OF THE HOOD WHERE IT WAS NOT MOLDED PROPERLY. THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH METAL TO MOLD IT PROPERLY. THE PAINT RUSTED THROUGH WHERE IT COULD CAUSE THE LATCH TO COME UNDONE AND THE HOOD FILE UP. NOTICED THIS ON ALL 2000 MODELS, AND ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON SEPTEMB…
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DT: WHERE THE HOOD FASTENED THERE WAS A LEVER IN THE OUTER SKIN OF THE HOOD WHERE IT WAS NOT MOLDED PROPERLY. THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH METAL TO MOLD IT PROPERLY. THE PAINT RUSTED THROUGH WHERE IT COULD CAUSE THE LATCH TO COME UNDONE AND THE HOOD FILE UP. NOTICED THIS ON ALL 2000 MODELS, AND ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2005. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10136762
5 miles · Sep 7, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineSteeringFire
03/13/03 THEN 04/05 MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE INCIDENT WAS INVESTIGATED BY CHRYSLER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10135669
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2005
Unknown Or OtherFire
WHILE CAR WAS PARKED AT MCDONALDS SOMEONE CAME IN SAYING A GREE CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. IT WAS MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS. FIRE WAS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE. NOONE WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA ODI #10133543
66,350 miles · Aug 10, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
FIRE UNDER HOOD IN 2000 DODGE STRATUS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132187
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
AFTER HAVING USED MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS, I STATIONED IT IN MY HOUSE AND AS TO THE TO 30 MINUTES I SMELLED CABLE BURNING, WHEN I LEFT HOME, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR WAS THROWING AWAY SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY A FIRE ERUPTED, I CALLED 911 AND THE POLICE AND FIREMEN ATTENDED THE FIRE. WITH CHRYSLER OF PUERTO RICO AND I NOTIFY TH…
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AFTER HAVING USED MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS, I STATIONED IT IN MY HOUSE AND AS TO THE TO 30 MINUTES I SMELLED CABLE BURNING, WHEN I LEFT HOME, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR WAS THROWING AWAY SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY A FIRE ERUPTED, I CALLED 911 AND THE POLICE AND FIREMEN ATTENDED THE FIRE. WITH CHRYSLER OF PUERTO RICO AND I NOTIFY THEM OF WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY ONLY TELL ME THAT ARE NOT HEADS, AT PRESENT I AM WORKING THAT CASE WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10131986
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: THE MAIN COMPUTER SHORTED OT AND CAUSED A FIRE. CONSUMER WAS WORKING WITH A MECHANIC AND THAT WAS WHEN THE COMPUTER SHORTED OUT. THEY WERE WORKING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. ANOTHER MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND HE KNEW AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO WHILE THEY WERE DRI…
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DT: THE MAIN COMPUTER SHORTED OT AND CAUSED A FIRE. CONSUMER WAS WORKING WITH A MECHANIC AND THAT WAS WHEN THE COMPUTER SHORTED OUT. THEY WERE WORKING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. ANOTHER MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND HE KNEW AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITION TURNED ON. CONSUMER HAVD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT WOULD SHORT OUT BECUASE CCOULD NOT GET TO THE BATTERY QUICK ENOUGH BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10124822
129,000 miles · May 24, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: CAR BURNED IN DRIVEWAY. WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE. THE SMOKE STOPPED AFTER THE CONSUMER GOT HOME. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATORS CAME, AND CONSUMER'S CLAIM WAS DENIED. …
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DT: CAR BURNED IN DRIVEWAY. WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE. THE SMOKE STOPPED AFTER THE CONSUMER GOT HOME. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATORS CAME, AND CONSUMER'S CLAIM WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DASH LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING AND THE POWER STEERING MADE A LOT OF NOISES PRIOR TO THE FIRE INCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10122035
114,000 miles · May 6, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *BF *NM
NHTSA ODI #10117602
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CONSUMER HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND IT PASSED THE EMISSION TEST FOR 2 YEARS THROUGH DEALER SHIP. THIS YEAR IT WILL NOT PASS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE .
NHTSA ODI #10119369
72,000 miles · Apr 22, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL PUMP HAD SHORTAGE OUT. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *JB
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE WELD BETWEEN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BLOCK AND THE STAND-OFF BRACKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE STAND-OFF BRACKET FROM THE BLOCK COULD CAUSE FATIGUE DAMAGE OF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND RESULT IN A HALF SYSTEM BRAKE LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BRAKE LINE BRACKET TO THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH UNPAINTED FUEL TANK STRAPS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE PAINT PROVIDES CORROSION PROTECTION NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE STRAPS DO NOT LOOSEN OVER TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS.
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
3
EA05019 · Power Steering Fluid Fires
Opened Nov 7, 2005 · Closed Jan 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
PE05036 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 29, 2005 · Closed Nov 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON JUNE 29, 2005, ODI OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE05-036 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE PASSENGER CARS (JA CARS). THE JA CARS WERE INTRODUCED IN MY 1995 AND ENDED WITH MY 2000.THEY WERE PRODUCED WITH 2.0L, 2.4L AND 2.5L ENGINES.THE INCIDENT DATA IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS RESUME ARE FOR SUBJECT VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES FOR ALL CAUSES. ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER, EVIDENCE COLLECTED FROM FIELD INSPECTIONS OF FIRE INCIDENT VEHICLES INDICATE THAT FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS USED IN JA CARS WITH BOTH THE 2.4L AND 2.0L ENGINES IN MY 1995 THROUGH 2000.THE FIRE INCIDENT RATE IN THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2000 JA VEHICLES WITH 2.4L ENGINES IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN IN THE PRIOR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES USING THAT ENGINE AND IN ANY OF THE VEHICLES WITH THE 2.0L OR 2.5L ENGINES.DAIMLERCHRYSLER IS CONTINUING ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE AND HAS PROVIDED PERIODIC UPDATES TO ODI. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-019) HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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.
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