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2002 Dodge Stratus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Stratus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 168.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

113 reports with mileage · 37 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

4 reports
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185,750 miles · May 16, 2015
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or OtherCrash

MY CAR HAS A BAD NOISE AND POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. I WAS TURNING OUT OF MY MOMS DRIVEWAY WHEN MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE COLLAPSED IN .. MY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE . AFTER MY CAR WAS JACKED UP MY LOWER A ARM AND BALL JOINT WAS BROKE .. I REPLACED EVERYTHING . A WEEK LATER THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED . MY CA…

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MY CAR HAS A BAD NOISE AND POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. I WAS TURNING OUT OF MY MOMS DRIVEWAY WHEN MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE COLLAPSED IN .. MY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE . AFTER MY CAR WAS JACKED UP MY LOWER A ARM AND BALL JOINT WAS BROKE .. I REPLACED EVERYTHING . A WEEK LATER THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED . MY CAR STILL MAKES A AWEFUL SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO BRAKE . SHOULD I REPLACE EVERY PART IN THE FRONT . CAUSE IT DANGEROUS FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILD .

NHTSA ODI #10716802

137,000 miles · Feb 8, 2010
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL

NHTSA ODI #10307513

60,000 miles · Feb 25, 2008
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO 3-INCH CRACKS, AND TWO 5-INCH CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. AS OF FEBRUARY 25, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO 3-INCH CRACKS, AND TWO 5-INCH CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. AS OF FEBRUARY 25, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,740.

NHTSA ODI #10219114

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2005
SteeringUnknown Or Other

IN OR AROUND OCTOBER 2004 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR IT'S 30,000 CHECKUP. I HAVE A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. I TOLD THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT I HAD A "THUD" IN THE FRONT IN OF MY CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY "FRONT SUSPENSSION". IT WAS FIXED, BUT WAS NOT NOTED ON MY INVOICE. A WHILE LATER I FELT THE SAME "THUD" EVERYTIME I TURNED THE C…

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IN OR AROUND OCTOBER 2004 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR IT'S 30,000 CHECKUP. I HAVE A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. I TOLD THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT I HAD A "THUD" IN THE FRONT IN OF MY CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY "FRONT SUSPENSSION". IT WAS FIXED, BUT WAS NOT NOTED ON MY INVOICE. A WHILE LATER I FELT THE SAME "THUD" EVERYTIME I TURNED THE CORNER OR TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. SOMETIME IN JANUARY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WELL, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY 2002 VEHICLE. NOW, MIND YOU, I PAID MY CAR OFF 10 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT FROM DODGE. ANYWAY, NOT ONLY DID I FEEL THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC BUT I ALSO FEEL THAT CAR IS TOO NEW FOR THE "RACK & PENION" AND MY "EVAP SYSTEM" TO GO OUT. THEY TALKED ME INTO BUYING ANOTHER CAR THIS PAST WEEKEND,APRIL 9, 2005 BUT DECIDED TO RETURN THE CAR ON APRIL 11, 2005. THEY DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY CAR BEING A "LEMON" AS THE SALESPERSON DEEMED MY CAR TO BE EXCEPT FOR TRADE MY CAR FOR $6,000.00 AND HAVE PAYMENTS, AGAIN, OF $275.74 FOR 71 MONTHS. I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR. FOR ONE, MY CAR IS PAID OFF AND TWO MY CAR IS TOO NEW FOR IT TO HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE'S BEEN ANY RECALLS OR PROBLEMS ON THE 2002 DODGE STRATUS'. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10116821

Official recalls

2

16V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 3, 2016

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

15V338000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 2, 2015

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

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

1

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.