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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
82,000 miles · Jul 14, 2008
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

2003 DODGE STRATUS FUEL GAUGE DIAL CONTINUES TO SHIFT TO EMPTY ONCE FUEL IS PLACED IN GAS TANK, SHOWING EMPTY ONLY AFTER A REFILL OF GAS. DO NOT KNOW WHEN HAVE FUEL IN CAR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTOR, BUT ATTEMPTS TO REACH CHRYSLER IS IMPROBABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234135

38,388 miles · Jun 13, 2008
Suspension

THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS ON OUR 2003 DODGE STRATUS ARE MADE OF A "POT TYPE" METAL. THE CAR HAS MID 30K MILES AND THE STRUT MOUNTS ARE CORRODED TO THE POINT THEY FELL APART. THE SHOCK WAS ACTUALLY BOUND UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPRING. THIS FORTUNATELY WAS CAUGHT BY MY WIFE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD RESULT IN AN OUT OF CONTR…

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THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS ON OUR 2003 DODGE STRATUS ARE MADE OF A "POT TYPE" METAL. THE CAR HAS MID 30K MILES AND THE STRUT MOUNTS ARE CORRODED TO THE POINT THEY FELL APART. THE SHOCK WAS ACTUALLY BOUND UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPRING. THIS FORTUNATELY WAS CAUGHT BY MY WIFE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD RESULT IN AN OUT OF CONTROL SITUATION. STRUT COULD DIG INTO TIRE. CAR CAN FALL ON IT'S OWN SUSPENSION. HOW CAN YOU CONTROL A CAR IF IT IS ON AN UNSTABLE PLATFORM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230966

81,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT PAID $349 FOR A FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT. AFTERWARDS, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP. A YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL CONTINUES TO SHIFT TO EMPTY ONCE FUEL IS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT PAID $349 FOR A FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT. AFTERWARDS, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP. A YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL CONTINUES TO SHIFT TO EMPTY ONCE FUEL IS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REACH CHRYSLER, BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTOR, BUT SHE DOES NOT KNOW IF IT PERTAINS TO HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ODI #10229350

25,000 miles · Feb 28, 2008
Structure

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

NHTSA ODI #10219381

50,195 miles · Jan 3, 2008
Air Bags

I BOUGHT A 2003 DODGE STRATUS ON 12/29/07 FROM JUNGE IN CENTER POINT IA. TODAY WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL I HEARD A CLICK SOUND AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. ESTIMATES TO HAVE THIS FIXED ARE $250-$350. ALL DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MY OPERATOR'S MANUAL CONCURS THAT MY AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK.…

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I BOUGHT A 2003 DODGE STRATUS ON 12/29/07 FROM JUNGE IN CENTER POINT IA. TODAY WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL I HEARD A CLICK SOUND AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. ESTIMATES TO HAVE THIS FIXED ARE $250-$350. ALL DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MY OPERATOR'S MANUAL CONCURS THAT MY AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK. DODGE HEADQUARTERS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. TO ME I AM UNSURE WHY TURNING A WHEEL WHICH IS NECESSARY SHOULD COMPROMISE THE AIRBAG AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213594

63,000 miles · Dec 5, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. AS A RESULT OF THE INJURIES SHE DID NOT HAVE FULL RECOLLECTION OF THE INCIDENT AND COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT OR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A PO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. AS A RESULT OF THE INJURIES SHE DID NOT HAVE FULL RECOLLECTION OF THE INCIDENT AND COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT OR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE WAS REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10210930

57,775 miles · Nov 7, 2007
Air BagsFuel System, Gasoline

1. I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. 2. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & WAS RESET. 3. FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. I ONLY HAVE 57K MILES AND THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS (03V443000). I ALSO HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS THE CLOCKSPRING AND HAS ALSO BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. NEITHER OF THESE A…

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1. I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. 2. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & WAS RESET. 3. FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. I ONLY HAVE 57K MILES AND THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS (03V443000). I ALSO HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS THE CLOCKSPRING AND HAS ALSO BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. NEITHER OF THESE ARE SHOWN AS RECALLED ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208126

38,000 miles · Oct 9, 2007
Structure

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.

NHTSA ODI #10205229

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2007
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STRUT MOUNTS SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THEN SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED THEM AT THE COST OF $500. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STRUT MOUNTS SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THEN SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED THEM AT THE COST OF $500. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10200190

100,000 miles · Jul 5, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF AND SHE SMELLS GAS. HER VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE THAT SHE READ IN A RECALL NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE POWERTRAIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # WERE UNKNOWN. THE CU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF AND SHE SMELLS GAS. HER VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE THAT SHE READ IN A RECALL NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE POWERTRAIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10195405

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.