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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

75 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LINE BETWEEN GAS TANK AND FRAME OF CAR HAD RUBBED A PIN HOLE IN LINE BECAUSE OF TIGHT FIT , I GUESS. GAS TANK HAD TO BE DROPPED TO FIND PROBLEM, MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED FIRST THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM BUT, IT WASN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335881

67,000 miles · May 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS AND IT SUFFERED THE SAME FAILURE OF ITS 2.7 LITER ENGINE AS MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. THE CAR DOES NOT RUN DUE TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328994

75,125 miles · Mar 17, 2010
Suspension

THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS TO THE BODY ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM AND ARE CORRODED AND POWDERY. THEY HAVE BROKEN AND I CAN SEE THEY ARE NO LONGER HOLDING ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320592

86,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WITHIN A PERIOD OF 4 YEARS, THE BALL JOINTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE REPLACED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. RECENTLY, SHE WAS ADVISED THE BALL JOINTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED A 4TH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO HIGH MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WITHIN A PERIOD OF 4 YEARS, THE BALL JOINTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE REPLACED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. RECENTLY, SHE WAS ADVISED THE BALL JOINTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED A 4TH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO HIGH MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF FACTORY WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10318006

64,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. HE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TWICE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT BY THEN HE HAD REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. HE WAS NOT INJURED BADLY, BUT IS VERY SORE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT END OF THE V…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. HE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TWICE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT BY THEN HE HAD REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. HE WAS NOT INJURED BADLY, BUT IS VERY SORE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10256623

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE STRATUS SE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON ALONG WITH THE OIL LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A BAD PCM/ECM. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BEEN ADVISED THAT THE COMPUTER IN MY CAR SHOULD NOT BE BAD THIS SOON. IF MY COMPUTER GOES OUT I WILL BE UNABLE TO USE MY CAR WHICH IS NEEDED FOR SCHOO…

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I HAVE A 2003 DODGE STRATUS SE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON ALONG WITH THE OIL LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A BAD PCM/ECM. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BEEN ADVISED THAT THE COMPUTER IN MY CAR SHOULD NOT BE BAD THIS SOON. IF MY COMPUTER GOES OUT I WILL BE UNABLE TO USE MY CAR WHICH IS NEEDED FOR SCHOOL AND WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254888

95,000 miles · Jan 6, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ABNORMAL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ABNORMAL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $4,000. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS 2.7L WITH SIX CYLINDERS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10253979

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2008
Structure

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

NHTSA ODI #10239437

112,000 miles · Jul 28, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN OFF DUE TO CORROSION. THE MECHANIC WILL REPLACE BOTH AT THE COST OF $460. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN OFF DUE TO CORROSION. THE MECHANIC WILL REPLACE BOTH AT THE COST OF $460. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE ARE 3,000 OF THESE PARTS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/15/08 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10235996

92,000 miles · Jul 14, 2008
Electrical System

MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WE'RE PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY WE HEARD A "SNAP" AND THE CAR STALLED. IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP, WHERE I WAS THEN GREETED BY MY AIR BAG DUMMY. HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORK EITHER. TALKED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $80 WORTH OF "INVES…

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MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WE'RE PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY WE HEARD A "SNAP" AND THE CAR STALLED. IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP, WHERE I WAS THEN GREETED BY MY AIR BAG DUMMY. HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORK EITHER. TALKED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $80 WORTH OF "INVESTIGATIVE WORK" TO MAKE SURE IT WAS A CLOCK SPRING (WHICH I COULD TELL THE SECOND IT HAPPENED). SAID THAT THE PART AND LABOR WOULD BE $200 AFTER THE DETECTIVE WORK OF COURSE. NO RECALL, NOT AVAILABLE AT PARTS STORES, SO NO DRIVER AIR BAG FOR ME. HOPE DODGE RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM, IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234210

Official recalls

2

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.

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

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.