IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE PROTRUDED AND SEPARATED CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO BE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,300.
2003 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 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
90–25K
1325–50K
950–75K
1175–100K
9100–150K
3150K+
54 reports with mileage · 21 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
Structure complaints
6 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK FAILED TO REMAIN OPEN AS A RESULT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. THE CONTACT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
I OWN A 2003 STRATUS, THE PAINT BEGAN TO FADE BACK IN 2005, SINCE THEN I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES BY PHONE AND ALSO BY 4 CERTIFIED LETTERS. FIRST THEY TOLD ME CLAIM WAS DENIED DO TO THE WARRANTY. HOWEVER THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WARRANTY REGARDING FADING PAINT ONLY RUST ISSUES. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTENDS …
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I OWN A 2003 STRATUS, THE PAINT BEGAN TO FADE BACK IN 2005, SINCE THEN I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES BY PHONE AND ALSO BY 4 CERTIFIED LETTERS. FIRST THEY TOLD ME CLAIM WAS DENIED DO TO THE WARRANTY. HOWEVER THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WARRANTY REGARDING FADING PAINT ONLY RUST ISSUES. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTENDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, ONE OF THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS TOLD ME IT WAS UP TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAINT MY CAR. THEY DO NOT WANT TO HELP DUE TO SOME KIND OF NUMBERS GAME. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS A PRODUCT DEFECT. DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS YET TO GIVE ME A VALID REASON FOR THEM NOT WANTING TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED. I HAVE BEEN HUNG UP ON, SPOKE TO RUDELY AND FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS COMPANY. *TR
PAINT ON ROOF OF VEHICLE HAS TURNED WHITE (BLACK VEHICLE). AREA IS WHITE BUT WILL GO AWAY WHEN WET. AREA COMES BACK AS IT DRIES. WHITE AREA IS ROUGH AND IS SLOWLY SPREADING ALONG THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE IS FADING ON THE ROOF, TRUNK LID, HOOD, ABOVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW, AND ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ALONG WITH THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS A WARRANTY THAT STATES…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE IS FADING ON THE ROOF, TRUNK LID, HOOD, ABOVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW, AND ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ALONG WITH THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS A WARRANTY THAT STATES 5,000 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. SHE STATED THAT THERE IS NO RUST ON THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS PICTURES, IF NEEDED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
2003 STRATUS SXT. NUMEROUS WATER LEAKS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN MARCH 2003. BY APRIL IT HAD A REALLY STRONG MILDEW SMELL. IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A WATER LEAK IN THE TRUNK(AFTER THEY TORE APART THE FRONT OF MY CAR LOOKING FOR THE LEAK). THEY WANTED TO SHAMPOO THE CARPET, I MADE THEM REPLACE THE CARPET. SINCE THEN THE C…
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2003 STRATUS SXT. NUMEROUS WATER LEAKS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN MARCH 2003. BY APRIL IT HAD A REALLY STRONG MILDEW SMELL. IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A WATER LEAK IN THE TRUNK(AFTER THEY TORE APART THE FRONT OF MY CAR LOOKING FOR THE LEAK). THEY WANTED TO SHAMPOO THE CARPET, I MADE THEM REPLACE THE CARPET. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO IN THE SHOP 3 OTHER TIMES AND THEY HAVE FOUND 7 OTHER WATER LEAKS. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR HELP!!!!!! I'VE TRIED TO TALK TO THE MANAGER AT HENDRICK DODGE WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT HE WAS A COMPLETE JERK. I'VE TRIED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY SAY THAT SINCE THE LEAK WAS REPAIRED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I CAN UNDERSTAND MAYBE 1 LEAK BUT 8? GIVE ME A BREAK, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE? I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME DODGE PERSON, BUT I THINK AFTER THIS THEY WILL NOT GET ANYMORE OF MY BUSINESS. THANKS, MDA IN NC. *LA
Official recalls
215V338000 · 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.
03V443000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Nov 4, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
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.