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2004 Dodge Stratus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 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

113 reports with mileage · 31 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

144 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

2004 DODGE STRATUS LEFT AXLE BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE TIRE FELL OFF, BRAKE ROTOR WAS REPLACED AND THEN THE BALL JOINT WENT BAD. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TRANSMISSION GASKET WAS REPLACED TWICE AND THE VEHICLE SMELLED HOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10317578

49,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2004 DODGE STRATUS THAT I RECENTLY WAS HAVING ROUGH IDLE AND ENDED UP STALLING ON ME. THE PROBLEM STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND I HAD A TUNE UP DONE ON THE CAR AND THE SPARK PLUGS WHERE REPLACED. I THEN CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES AND THE INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE IGNITION WIRES. THEY SAID THE COMPUTER WAS NOT GIVI…

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I HAVE A 2004 DODGE STRATUS THAT I RECENTLY WAS HAVING ROUGH IDLE AND ENDED UP STALLING ON ME. THE PROBLEM STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND I HAD A TUNE UP DONE ON THE CAR AND THE SPARK PLUGS WHERE REPLACED. I THEN CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES AND THE INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE IGNITION WIRES. THEY SAID THE COMPUTER WAS NOT GIVING A CODE HOWEVER THEY COULD MONITOR THE SYSTEM AND SEE A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER ONE. THEY CHANGED THE WIRE ON 1 TO 3 AND 3 TO 1 AND THEN THE SAME BEHAVIOR OCCURRED ON CYLINDER 3. I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS AND AFTER STARING IT UP AND LETTING IT WARM UP ON A COLD WINTER MORNING I WOULD HEAR IT RUNNING ROUGH. THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT COULD STALL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ASKED THEM ABOUT A TSB I FOUND THAT WAS RELATED WITH FLASHING THE PCM AND RELATED WITH COLD STARTS. I HAD THE PCM FLASHED AT A DODGE/CHRYSLER DEALER WHO SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT THINK THE PCM NEEDED UPDATED. THEY SAID THEY HOOKED UP THE COMPUTER AND FOUND THAT IT DID NEED TO BE UPDATED. I HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH AND SO FAR NO ISSUES. I BELIEVE THEIR IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 DODGE STRATUS AND THE ORIGINAL PCM CODE CAUSING THE CAR TO RUN ROUGH AND CAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310351

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "ENGINE WARNING" LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A ROUGH RUNNING DURING PERFORMANCE. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "ENGINE WARNING" LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A ROUGH RUNNING DURING PERFORMANCE. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH REPLACEMENT OF THREE DIFFERENT COMPUTER CHIPS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BEING SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10303574

40,000 miles · May 21, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THE RPM'S RAPIDLY INCREASE AND BRAKING CAPABILITY IS REDUCED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THE RPM'S RAPIDLY INCREASE AND BRAKING CAPABILITY IS REDUCED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,500. UPDATED 6/8/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY START TO RACE JUST OVER 2000 RPM'S. UPDATED 06/11/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10269614

23,900 miles · Apr 30, 2009
Suspension

I WAS DRIVING AT 30MPH COMING TO STOP WHERE I HEARD THIS LOUD CLUNK LIKE IF I RAN OVER A LARGE ROCK AND BOTTOMED OUT ON IT. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE CAR FROM WHAT I CAN SEE BUT I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267351

80,000 miles · Dec 1, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP IN 2004 DODGE STRATUS, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER I'VE NOTICE THESE MAKES AND MODELS STRATUS DO HAVE A RECALL PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250392

80,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY CASE IS SIMILAR TO ODI CASE 10151711. I PERFORM MOST OF MY CAR MAINTENANCE FROM OIL CHANGES TO BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. I HAD RECENTLY REPLACED MY PADS AND MADE SURE EVERY BOLT WAS TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. ONE WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 70 MPH AND HEARD A CLUNK AND IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD RAN…

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MY CASE IS SIMILAR TO ODI CASE 10151711. I PERFORM MOST OF MY CAR MAINTENANCE FROM OIL CHANGES TO BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. I HAD RECENTLY REPLACED MY PADS AND MADE SURE EVERY BOLT WAS TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. ONE WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 70 MPH AND HEARD A CLUNK AND IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD RAN OVER SOMETHING AS THE OBJECT HIT THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. I THOUGHT SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING OUT THEIR WINDOW. ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. AS I BEGAN TO BRAKE AND PULL OVER THE NOISE WENT AWAY. CONFUSED BY THE SUDDEN STOP OF THE NOISE, I PROCEEDED ANOTHER MILE OR SO DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNTIL THE NOISE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE STARTED UP AGAIN AND SOUNDED LIKE GRINDING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AT THIS POINT AND CAME TO A SKIDDING STOP. I TRIED TO PULL FORWARD AS I WAS OFF THE ROAD BUT VERY CLOSE TO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD REGARDLESS OF THE PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDDLE. I DECIDED TO TRY AND BACK UP AND I WAS SUCCESSFUL AND PULLED FURTHER OFF THE SHOULDER. I SAW THAT MY CALIPER HAD COME FREE AND BEGAN TO TAKE CHUNKS OUT OF THE ALLOY RIM. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR DAMAGE ANY OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. $497.66 LATER (NEW BOLTS AND A RIM) MY CAR WAS MOBILE. I WAS OVER TWENTY MILES FROM HOME WHEN THIS OCCURRED. PHOTOS AND BILL AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248380

37,000 miles · Oct 29, 2008
StructureCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS UNEXPECTEDLY REAR-ENDED. THE TRUNK SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE DUE TO THE MASSIVE IMPACT. THE REAR SPOILER DETACHED FROM THE TRUNK AND WENT THROUGH THE REAR GLASS. THERE WERE NO I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS UNEXPECTEDLY REAR-ENDED. THE TRUNK SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE DUE TO THE MASSIVE IMPACT. THE REAR SPOILER DETACHED FROM THE TRUNK AND WENT THROUGH THE REAR GLASS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,000. UPDATED 12/30/08. *LJ UPDATED 01/05/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10247165

49,800 miles · Oct 24, 2008
Suspension

THROUGH NORMAL DRIVING I EXITED OFF A HIGHWAY RAMP AND HEARD A LOUD CLANG AND THOUGHT MY CAR HAD BOTTOMED OUT. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR THE PART THAT ATTACHED MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE TO THE SHOCK HAD BROKEN FREE. A NEIGHBOR TOLD ME IT WAS THE UPPER LINK TO THE REAR VIEW. MY CAR IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. THE REAR WHEEL TILTS O…

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THROUGH NORMAL DRIVING I EXITED OFF A HIGHWAY RAMP AND HEARD A LOUD CLANG AND THOUGHT MY CAR HAD BOTTOMED OUT. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR THE PART THAT ATTACHED MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE TO THE SHOCK HAD BROKEN FREE. A NEIGHBOR TOLD ME IT WAS THE UPPER LINK TO THE REAR VIEW. MY CAR IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. THE REAR WHEEL TILTS ONTO THE SHOCK AND RUBS, ALSO EVERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS BOTTOMING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246664

34,000 miles · Sep 3, 2008
Electrical SystemPower Train

1. IGNITION- MS. FAULKNER WAS TRANSPORTING ME TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE AND HER VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF JUST BEFORE SHE CAME TO A STOP. SHE STATED THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL THE DAY I DROVE IT BUT WHEN I STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT THE ENGINE SURGED MOMENTARILY FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 SECONDS…

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1. IGNITION- MS. FAULKNER WAS TRANSPORTING ME TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE AND HER VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF JUST BEFORE SHE CAME TO A STOP. SHE STATED THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL THE DAY I DROVE IT BUT WHEN I STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT THE ENGINE SURGED MOMENTARILY FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 SECONDS AND THEN IT RETURNED TO IT?S NORMAL IDLE. HAD I NOT HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE SURGED FORWARD 2. TRANSMISSION ? WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED LIMIT AND SPEED CONTROL SET, UPON RESUMING SPEED AFTER COASTING DOWN A HILL, THERE WAS A VERY DISTINCT CLUNK THAT CAME FROM THE TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE. THIS SAME CLUNK OCCURRED AGAIN AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN I SLOWING DOWN FOR A SIGNAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240820

Official recalls

3

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.

04V313000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 29, 2004

ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.