IllustrationDRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUGHT IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO T-BONE THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *LA
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.
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
80–25K
2525–50K
2750–75K
2675–100K
17100–150K
10150K+
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
What owners actually said
150 reportsWHILE DRIVING AND WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK/HESITATE. WHILE AT A LIGHT THE RPMS SURGE BETWEEN 1000 AND 3000 RPMS OR WHILE SITTING IN PARK. *LA
ENGINE FAILED AT 54,800 MILES ON MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SLIGHT ENGINE KNOCK. CAR HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING. WE LEFT THE CAR THERE FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (2.7L DOHC 24 VALVE V-6) AT NO COST TO ME THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. WE A…
Read full complaint
ENGINE FAILED AT 54,800 MILES ON MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SLIGHT ENGINE KNOCK. CAR HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING. WE LEFT THE CAR THERE FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (2.7L DOHC 24 VALVE V-6) AT NO COST TO ME THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. WE AGREED AND 3 DAY'S LATER THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY WAS CANCELED AND WOULD NOT TELL ME WHY. I GAVE THEM ALL MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS. WHEN WE ARRIVED TO PICK UP OUR CAR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US THAT THE CAR MAY NOT START BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN SITTING THERE FOR 2 WEEKS. THAT'S BULL... HE THEN TOLD US THAT THE CAR HAD JUMPED TIME AND THAT THEY WOULD PUT IT BACK IN TIME FOR US AND SPLIT THE COST. WE AGREED YET AGAIN AND LEFT THE CAR THERE. HE THEN CALLED US AGAIN AND SAID THAT THE CAR DIDN'T JUMP TIME, BUT THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH ENGINE SLUDGE BUILT UP THAT IT WAS STARVING THE CAR FOR OIL. AND THAT'S WHY IT WONT START. BUT THE CAR HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING AND RUNNING BEFORE WE DROPPED IT OFF JUST A LITTLE ENGINE KNOCK AT IDLE. PLEASE HELP ME... THANK YOU. *JB
I BOUGHT MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS BRAND NEW IN JULY 2002 AND HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED IN MARCH OF 2003. IN FEBRUARY OF 2004, I HAD TO GET MY RIGHT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. I NOW HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT IN MARCH 15,2004 TO GET MY WHEEL BEARINGS CHECKED AGAIN DUE TO NEEDING REPLACED. IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PL…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS BRAND NEW IN JULY 2002 AND HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED IN MARCH OF 2003. IN FEBRUARY OF 2004, I HAD TO GET MY RIGHT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. I NOW HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT IN MARCH 15,2004 TO GET MY WHEEL BEARINGS CHECKED AGAIN DUE TO NEEDING REPLACED. IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PLEASE NOTIFY ME AT MY AVAILABLE MAILING OR WEB ADDRESS. IF NOT I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE FILED AS A COMPLAINT. THANKS. *AK
I AM CONCERNED WITH A FEW THINGS ON MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE 4 DOOR. ONE, I FEEL THAT THE ABS SYSTEM ON MY CAR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAD TO DO AN EMERGENCY STOP WITH MY CAR IN WHICH MY WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO "LAUNCH FORWARD" AT LEAST 10 FEET EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.THERE WERE NO SK…
Read full complaint
I AM CONCERNED WITH A FEW THINGS ON MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE 4 DOOR. ONE, I FEEL THAT THE ABS SYSTEM ON MY CAR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAD TO DO AN EMERGENCY STOP WITH MY CAR IN WHICH MY WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO "LAUNCH FORWARD" AT LEAST 10 FEET EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS. I ENDED UP HITTING A WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME WHO HAD JACKED UP. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT ABOUT 25 MPH HAVING JUST COME THROUGH A LIGHT. IN ADDITION TO THAT, EVEN THOUGH I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT, I STILL HIT THE DASHBOARD WITH MY KNEE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHIN. NORMALLY WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN MY SEAT BELT GETS TIGHTER WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES AND I HAVE TROUBLE LEANING FORWARD TO LOOK BOTH WAYS, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. ALSO, MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE ISSUES. I LOVE MY CAR BUT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT. WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE TO DO AN EMERGENCY STOP BECAUSE OF A CHILD RUNNING OUT IN THE STREET 20 FEET FROM WHERE I AM. WILL MY CAR STOP THEN. I KNOW CARS DON'T STOP ON A DIME BUT I FEEL AT THE RATE OF SPEED I WAS TRAVELING AND THE CONDITIONS OF THE ROAD, I SHOULD HAVE NEVER HIT THAT WOMAN. WHAT DO I DO? *AK
I WENT TO START THE CAR, IT MADE A HORRIBLE TICKING NOISE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT FINALLY STARTED. IT DID THIS TWO TIMES. *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK
TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING ABOUT 1QT OF FLUID PER WEEK. ONLY 15,000. MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *AK
ACORN NUTS SECURING ALUMINUM WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS TO THEIR SPLINES LOOSEN UP. SPLINE HOLES IN WIPER ARMS "STRIP",CAUSING LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. WIPER MOTOR AND LINKAGE APPEAR TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. NO APPARENT USE OF LOCKING DEVICES (LOCK WASHER, LOCTITE, ETC.) TO KEEP NUTS TIGHT. *CB
THE CHECK ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I BROUGHT IT IN ONCE THEY REPLACED A HOSE. A FEW DAYS LATER IT CAME BACK ON WE BROUGHT IT TO A DIFFERANT SHOP THEY RESET IT AND BLAMED ME FOR IT. STATING THAT I LEAVE MY CAR RUN WHEN I PUT GAS IN IT AND THAT IS WHY IT COMES ON. WELL THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WE ARE WORKING O…
Read full complaint
THE CHECK ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I BROUGHT IT IN ONCE THEY REPLACED A HOSE. A FEW DAYS LATER IT CAME BACK ON WE BROUGHT IT TO A DIFFERANT SHOP THEY RESET IT AND BLAMED ME FOR IT. STATING THAT I LEAVE MY CAR RUN WHEN I PUT GAS IN IT AND THAT IS WHY IT COMES ON. WELL THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WE ARE WORKING ON MAKING A 3RD APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED. IF ITS DOING ALL OF THIS NOW WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WARRANTY!?
Official recalls
216V401000 · 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
1PE02082 · 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.