IllustrationVEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT MECHANISM WAS ACTIVATED. IT HELD PASSENGER TOO TIGHT, UNABLE TO BREATH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
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
What owners actually said
75 reportsWHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED BEFORE 4000 MILES. PH *JB
THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED WHICH WAS EITHER CAUSED BY THE CALIPERS OR THE BRAKE HOSE COLLAPSING PER THE MECHANIC. THE ROTORS WERE TURNED, HOWEVER IT DID NOT REMEDY THE GRINDING NOISE, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND A SMELL OF METAL RUBBING WHEN BRAKING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST. *TT *JB
BOUGHT A CAR FROM DODGE IN LUBBOCK TX HAVE NOT RECEIVED MT PLATES OR STICKER FOR THE CAR CALLED DODGE AND THEY TOLD ME SOMEONE ELSE HAS MY PLATES AND STICKERS AND THERE FINANCE COMP HAS OUR TITLE. I DARE NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND I AM PAYING FOR A CAR I CANNOT DRIVE I HAVE CALLED DODGE AND I AM NOT GETTING ANYWHERE COULD YOU PLEAS…
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BOUGHT A CAR FROM DODGE IN LUBBOCK TX HAVE NOT RECEIVED MT PLATES OR STICKER FOR THE CAR CALLED DODGE AND THEY TOLD ME SOMEONE ELSE HAS MY PLATES AND STICKERS AND THERE FINANCE COMP HAS OUR TITLE. I DARE NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND I AM PAYING FOR A CAR I CANNOT DRIVE I HAVE CALLED DODGE AND I AM NOT GETTING ANYWHERE COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. ALSO THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE MY VIN NUMBER ON THERE CAR. *NLM
I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS SXT SEDAN 2.4L. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAPPENED TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS RUSTING ON THE AXLES & BRAKES TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE CAR IT COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF DOWN AND WOULDN'T START, IMMEDIATELY MY CAR DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY "DIED"…
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I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS SXT SEDAN 2.4L. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAPPENED TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS RUSTING ON THE AXLES & BRAKES TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE CAR IT COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF DOWN AND WOULDN'T START, IMMEDIATELY MY CAR DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY "DIED". I DID NOT TAKE NOTE OF THE RUSTING BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP SAID "ALL DODGE CARS ARE RUSTED...*ALL*"A MONTH LATER MY CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR SLIGHTLY, THEN IT WAS PROGRESSING TOWARDS JANUARY WITH VIBRATION OF THE CAR PAST 50 MPH, I DECIDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT BECAME OUT OF HAND AND THEY WERE CLOSED, THEN THE MONDAY THE CAR SHUT ITSELF DOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED INTO PLACE WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND IT HIT PROBABLY A 5 INCH HIGH CURB..OF COURSE THE "RUSTED" RIGHT FRONT END "AXLE", CONTROL BAR & GEAR CONTROLS BROKE OFF. FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR BECAUSE THIS DEALERSHIP SAYS IN OTHER WORDS THAT WE'RE LYING AND IT ISN'T THEIR FAULT NOR WAS IT A MECHANICAL DEFECT. ALSO I HAVE NOTED THAT MY DOORS DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY & MY WINDOWS SLIP OUT OF PLACE. AFTER THE INCIDENT OF MY CAR LOCKING UP AND MY AXLE BEING BROKEN I HAD TO TAKE OUT OF POCKET ONCE AGAIN $1,800 AND THEY FIXED IT..BUT THERE WAS STILL PROBLEMS..THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE AND NOW THERE WAS A KNOCKING/CRACKING SOUND TO THE FRONT & REAR ENDS OF THE CAR, AND I MEAN IT WAS LOUD..TOOK THE CAR BACK FOR THE OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID THEY HEARD NOTHING NOR WAS THERE A VIBRATION!.A MONTH LATER I TOOK THE CAR BACK I SAID THIS WAS RIDICULOUS THAT THIS NOISE IS STILL THERE AND YES OF COURSE WHEN YOU HAVE A HUGE BRAWL AND FIGHT THEY DO FIND THE SO CALLED "PROBLEM"....THE PINS TO HOLD MY BRAKE PADS IN PLACE WEREN'T EVEN THERE!...AND VIBRATION AGAIN? NONE TO BE FOUND...YES I AM THE DRIVER AND THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE.*JB
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.