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2006 Dodge Stratus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Dodge Stratus are lower than the model-year median of 168.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

59 reports with mileage · 15 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 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

14 reports
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67,000 miles · Dec 31, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE FRONT OIL SEAL CAME OUT OF ITS SEAT CAUSING MASSIVE OIL LEAK. AFTER ENGINE REMOVAL AND DISASSEMBLY I FOUND THE WRONG LOWER MAIN THRUST BEARING WAS INSTALLED. THIS CAUSED EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE TOP THRUST BEARING CAUSING BEARING FAILURE CAUSING END PLAY IN CRANKSHAFT RESULTING IN OIL SEAL FAILURE. FIRE DANGER FROM OIL COVER…

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THE FRONT OIL SEAL CAME OUT OF ITS SEAT CAUSING MASSIVE OIL LEAK. AFTER ENGINE REMOVAL AND DISASSEMBLY I FOUND THE WRONG LOWER MAIN THRUST BEARING WAS INSTALLED. THIS CAUSED EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE TOP THRUST BEARING CAUSING BEARING FAILURE CAUSING END PLAY IN CRANKSHAFT RESULTING IN OIL SEAL FAILURE. FIRE DANGER FROM OIL COVERING UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. THE LOWER MAIN BEARINGS WERE ALL THE SAME. NO FLANGED THRUST BEARING. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441985

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

MY CAR LEAKS WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN I RUN DEFROSTERS/AIR CONDITIONING. I LOOKED THIS UP ON LINE AND IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRAIN TUBE ON DODGE/ CHRYLSER CAR. THIS IS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR BUT A COMPLAINT ON THE CAR. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2008 DODGE CARAVANS/CHRYSLER TOWN/COUNTRY'S. THE DODGE DEALERSHIPS …

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MY CAR LEAKS WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN I RUN DEFROSTERS/AIR CONDITIONING. I LOOKED THIS UP ON LINE AND IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRAIN TUBE ON DODGE/ CHRYLSER CAR. THIS IS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR BUT A COMPLAINT ON THE CAR. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2008 DODGE CARAVANS/CHRYSLER TOWN/COUNTRY'S. THE DODGE DEALERSHIPS SAYS IT CANNOT HELP ME BECAUSE MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE RECALL. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. ALSO ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ALSO, WHEN YOU LOOK IT UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424217

54,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SECONDS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED IN OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SEAL AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SECONDS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED IN OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SEAL AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 09/09/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SEAL FAILED THREE MORE TIMES. UPDATED 09/10/10

NHTSA ODI #10336192

53,000 miles · Oct 30, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN HER VEHICLE AFTER FILLING UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED THE GAS TANK BUT IT WILL COST HER $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN HER VEHICLE AFTER FILLING UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED THE GAS TANK BUT IT WILL COST HER $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 12/09/09 *BF THE DEALER FOUND THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AROUND THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A SMALL EVAPORATOR LEAK. UPDATED 12/11/09

NHTSA ODI #10290393

44,000 miles · Apr 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2006 STRATUS HAS JUST 44,000 MILES. I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER MY CAR AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR A MONTH, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CRANKSHAFT HAD PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY …

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MY 2006 STRATUS HAS JUST 44,000 MILES. I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER MY CAR AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR A MONTH, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CRANKSHAFT HAD PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AND DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267231

52,000 miles · Mar 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL IN HER DRIVEWAY AND OBSERVED THE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MAIN FRONT SEAL OF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS BLOWN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL IN HER DRIVEWAY AND OBSERVED THE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MAIN FRONT SEAL OF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS BLOWN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR FAILURES SHE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10260617

34,000 miles · Feb 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR CENTER AND THEN TO FIRESTONE REPAIR CENTER BECAUSE FIRESTONE WAS THE LAST REPAIR SHOP TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER, WHICH COST $400 AND INCLUDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE $400 WAS PAID. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS PURCHASED FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE FAILURE. A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, ONLY THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10257342

33,575 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE IS 2006 DODGE STRATUS 2.7L V6. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO ENGINE FAILURE. WAS WARMING UP VEHICLE ON COLD WINTER DAY. MADE IT BACK TO FRONT DOOR, CAR HAD SHUTOFF, WENT TO RESTART CAR, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THAT SAID ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY STATING NEGLIGENCE OF OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253082

53,300 miles · Jul 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

JAN 17,2008 CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AT 53,300 MILES. CALL DEALERSHIP SAID BRING IN TO REPLACE THE MAIN CRANK SEAL AND HOPEFULLY THAT SHOULD FIX PROBLEM AND IF NOT THE I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE CRANK SHAFT. WELL 3,000 MILES LATER LESS THAN A MONTH LATER CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AGAIN. CAR BEEN PARKED SINCE CALL DEALERSHIP SET UP TO …

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JAN 17,2008 CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AT 53,300 MILES. CALL DEALERSHIP SAID BRING IN TO REPLACE THE MAIN CRANK SEAL AND HOPEFULLY THAT SHOULD FIX PROBLEM AND IF NOT THE I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE CRANK SHAFT. WELL 3,000 MILES LATER LESS THAN A MONTH LATER CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AGAIN. CAR BEEN PARKED SINCE CALL DEALERSHIP SET UP TO HAVE CRANK SHAFT REPLACE THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT THEY TOLD ME REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT AND THE CAR WOULD BEEN FINE THIS WAS MAY 20,2008 IT TOOK THEN A MONTH TO GET MY PART WITH MY CAR SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP THEN A WEEK AND HALF THEY CALL ME SAYING THE CRANK SHAFT WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE BASELY THE CRANK HAD DESTROY MY ENGINE AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I'VE TRY TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO EITHER REPLACE THE BAD ENGINE OR GIVE ME A REASONABLE TRADE .I WAS TOLD BY THERE SERVICE PEOPLE TO PUT A SEAL IN IT AND GET RID OF IT DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE MOTOR THEN THE SAME THING FROM THERE GENERAL MANGER WHEN I ASKED FOR HELP THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND GET RID OF IT. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SEAL AGAIN TRYING TO TAKE MY CAR HOME IN LESS THAN A 1 1/2 THE SEAL CAME OUT AGAIN I HAVE CALLED AT DIFFERENT TIME TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVE THE WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALLS .I HAVE CONTACTED THE CORP AND STILL HAVEN'T ANY RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233837

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I PURCHASED A 2006 DODGE STRATUS IN 2006. AND AM ALREADY WORKING ON PUTTING IN MY SECOND BOTTOM END OF THE MOTOR. IT STARTED LEAKING OIL AT 17,000 MILES AND NOW IT'S STARTED BACK LEAKING OIL IN THE SAME SPOT AT 46000 MILES. TO SAY THE LEAST MY WORK ORDER TO GET MY NOW OUT OF WARRANTED CAR FIXED SAYS THE SAME…

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MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I PURCHASED A 2006 DODGE STRATUS IN 2006. AND AM ALREADY WORKING ON PUTTING IN MY SECOND BOTTOM END OF THE MOTOR. IT STARTED LEAKING OIL AT 17,000 MILES AND NOW IT'S STARTED BACK LEAKING OIL IN THE SAME SPOT AT 46000 MILES. TO SAY THE LEAST MY WORK ORDER TO GET MY NOW OUT OF WARRANTED CAR FIXED SAYS THE SAME THING IT SAID AT 17000 MILES. NOW I'M LOOKING AT PAYING OUT OVER 5,500 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. AND STILL HAVE TO MAKE A CAR PAYMENT ON THIS JUNK!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227629

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.