1999 Dodge Stratus

251 federal complaints (344 component records) · 3 recall campaigns on file · 5 federal investigations · 66 service bulletins · 3 Canadian recalls
See all 14 model years of the Dodge Stratus →
Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
23 city / 33 hwy
Federal complaints
251
Recall campaigns
3
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Brakes
72
Engine & cooling
57
Steering
50
Electrical system
35
Power train
34
Other
13
Glass & wipers
12
Fuel system
12
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 14 complaints01 years old: 16 complaints2 years old: 29 complaints3 years old: 30 complaints4 years old: 20 complaints5 years old: 28 complaints56 years old: 19 complaints7 years old: 27 complaints8 years old: 13 complaints9 years old: 8 complaints10 years old: 1 complaints1011 years old: 0 complaints12 years old: 4 complaints13 years old: 0 complaints14 years old: 2 complaints15 years old: 4 complaints1516 years old: 4 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 1 complaints20+ years old: 3 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 223 of 251 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 4 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 7 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 11 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 18 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 13 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 15 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 8 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 14 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 4 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 3 complaints200,000+ miles: 1 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 98 of 251 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Brakes

72 complaint records3 fire reports3 crash reports
"WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL AND WITH LACK OF BRAKING, VEHICLE WILL NEVER STOP. NOT A NOTICE ISSUED TO BE ALERTED.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

57 complaint records9 fire reports
"ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 3.8L V6 ENGINE OVERHEATING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Steering

50 complaint records26 fire reports1 crash report
"HARD TO CONTROL STEERING OF VEHICLE! WHENEVER I PASS OVER A SPEED BUMP FEELS LIKE WHOLE CAR IS GOING TO COME APART. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
EA05019
opened Nov 2005
closed Jan 2006SteeringPOWER STEERING FLUID FIRES
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS...
PE05036
opened Jun 2005
closed Nov 2005Engine And Engine CoolingENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES - led to recall 06V001000
ON JUNE 29, 2005, ODI OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE05-036 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE PASSENGER CARS (JA CARS).
EA03011
opened Jul 2003
closed Jan 2004Power TrainAUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK - led to recall 04V021000
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL...
RQ03005
opened Apr 2003
closed Jul 2003Power TrainAUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
THREE OF THE MANFACTURER COMPLAINTS AND TWO OF THE MANUFACTURER CRASHES REPORTED ABOVE WERE DUPLICATES OF ODI REPORTS.THE MAJORITY OF CRASHES OCCURRED AFTER OPERATORS PARKED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING PARK GEAR POSITION; A NON-FUNCTIONAL IGNITION-PARK...
PE02082
opened Nov 2002
closed Apr 2003Seat BeltsSAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
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...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
06V001000SteeringON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.Normally free
04V021000Power TrainON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED.Normally free
99V244000Service Brakes, HydraulicVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2006003
2006-01-05
Steering24,933On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine, the high pressure power steering hose is routed in a high temperature area, which could cause it to age prematurely and develop a leak.
2004003
2004-01-08
Other277,416On certain vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a floor-mounted shifter, the ignition-park interlock may become defeated and allow the shifter to be moved out of the Park position with the key removed.
1999170
1999-09-28
Brakes34,613On certain vehicles, the right rear brake tube may contact the exhaust system clamp causing wear. If this happens, the brake tube could develop a leak, reducing the effectiveness of one half of the diagonally split braking system.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
9004275
Jul 2020
Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms.
08-049-20
Apr 2020
EquipmentCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
31-006-19
Nov 2019
StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-003-19
Nov 2019
EquipmentUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-005-19
Nov 2019
EquipmentUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
Show 55 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
3100619
Nov 2019
EquipmentRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100319
Nov 2019
StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100519
Nov 2019
StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
68332810
Sep 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingService - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2.
R2118796A
Feb 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingValve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
23-014-15
Apr 2015
EquipmentChild Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability.
0803006
Aug 2006
Power TrainPOWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *KB
0801505
Mar 2005
Power TrainPOWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *SC
2400204
Jul 2004
EquipmentAIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER PERFORMANCE. *TT
0801003
Apr 2003
Seat BeltsSEAT BELT CINCH BAR SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 MODELS. *TT
2500102A
Sep 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0442, P0455, OR P0456 - LEAK DETECTION PUMP (LDP), LEAK DETECTED. THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES 25-001-02 DATED FEB 11, 2002. *TT
1802002
Jun 2002
Unknown Or OtherFLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
2301502
Apr 2002
VisibilitySUBJECT REGARDING OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS REPLACEMENT. *SLC
2302701
Sep 2001
VisibilitySUBJECT REGARDING OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS REPLACEMENT. *TT
1802001
Aug 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEXHIBITING ROUGH IDLE, HARD START AND START & STALL.*CLS
0801001
May 2001
Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT
1801201
May 2001
EquipmentSUBJECT REGARDING GENERIC SCAN TOOL (GST), PUBLICATION NO. 81-170-00008 PROVIDED WITH THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO PROVIDE REFERENCE INFORMATION WHEN USING GENERIC SCAN TOOL ON OBDII VEHICLES. *TT
2100601
Mar 2001
Power TrainAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ
0800600REV
Dec 2000
Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
2601200
Dec 2000
Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION ON SERVICE PUBLICATION UPDATES. *JB
2300800B
Nov 2000
SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
2601000
Oct 2000
Fuel SystemINFORMATION REGARDING UPDATES TO THE FUEL SYSTEM SERVICE PROCEDURES. *TT
082700
Sep 2000
Air BagsSUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT
090600
Mar 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSUBJECT PERTAINS TO CHANGES TO THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COMPONENTS. *TT
230800
Mar 2000
SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
080600
Feb 2000
Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT
180100
Feb 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSUBJECT REGARDING MISDIAGNOSED LEAK DETECTION PUMP SYSTEMS WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1494, P0442 P0455, OR P0456. *TT
230200
Feb 2000
Latches/Locks/LinkagesDAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERING INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASES FOR SELECTION VEHICLES. *TT
083799
Nov 1999
Air BagsDAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT
190299REVA
Oct 1999
SteeringVEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE CLUNKING OR RATTLE IN STEERING WHEEL/STEERING COLUMN. *MJS
211699
Oct 1999
Power TrainNEW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE (ATF +4 TYPE 9602). *MJS
211599
Oct 1999
Power TrainSUBJECT ON TRANSAXLE SEEPAGE MIS-DIAGNOSIS- CASE POROSITY. *MJS
233599REVA
Oct 1999
StructureSUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS
090799
Sep 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingINFORMATION REGARDING 2.5L V-6 HEAD GASKET APPLICATION. *TT
090899
Sep 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING MULTI-LAYER STEEL (MLS) HEAD GASKET INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. *TT
233599
Sep 1999
SeatsINFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
232099A
Aug 1999
StructureDAIMLER CHRYSLER IS NOW OFFERING INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT
233099
Aug 1999
Unknown Or OtherSUBJECT PERTAINING TO A MISSING REAR CUP HOLDER SLIDE CLIP. *TT
232099
Jun 1999
StructureDIAMLER CHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERING INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT
9926
Jun 1999
StructureINFORMATION PERTAINING TO INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE DEALER REIMBURSEMENT. *TT
181299
Jun 1999
Power TrainTHIS BULLETIN EXPLAINS THE OPERATION AND APPLICATION OF THE LEAK DETECTION PUMP (LDP) MONITOR TEST. *TT
231999
Jun 1999
SeatsBRIEF INFORMATION REGARDING SEAT FABRIC LINT COLLECTION. *TT
9925
Jun 1999
StructureSUBJECT REGARDING THE INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE. *TT
081499
May 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingCONDITIONS WITH VEHICLE START AND STALL OR VEHICLE NO-START. *TT
9920
Apr 1999
Power TrainINFORMATION ON FAST FEEDBACK FLEET - INSTALLATION OF 2000 MODEL YEAR 41TE TRANSAXLES. *TT
210699
Apr 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCONDITIONS WITH INTERMITTENT LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL. *TT
9913
Mar 1999
Power TrainVEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE FAULTS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS). *TT
210599
Mar 1999
Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING REUSABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET. *TT
210499
Feb 1999
Power TrainSERVICE AND PARTS INFORMATION ON 1999 RUNNING CHANGES TO TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) *TT
230699
Feb 1999
StructureVEHICLE EXPERIENCING METALLIC RATTLING NOISE FROM REAR DOOR(S). *TT
081798
Dec 1998
Air BagsSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG ON - OFF SWITCHES. *YC
090798
Dec 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSUBJECT REGARDING OIL SEEPAGE AT CAM POSITION SENSOR / MISINTERPRETED HEAD GASKET LEAK. *YC
241598
Nov 1998
EquipmentINFORMATION ON A/C SYSTEM PERFORMANCE COMPLAINTS AND /0R A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (90+F). *AK
090598
Nov 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingA NEW MULTI-LAYER STEEL ( MLS ) HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND IS BEING IMPLEMENTED INTO PRODUCTION VEHICLES. *YC
250298
Oct 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSUBJECT REGARDING I/M ( INSPECTION MAINTENANCE ) TESTING - OBD II "CARB" READINESS MONITOR INFORMATION. *YC

Showing 60 of 66 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
  2. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  3. Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Dodge Stratus →