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2000 Dodge Stratus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 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

116 reports with mileage · 100 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.

  • Steering. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports64 fire reports11 injury reports

Power Train complaints

21 reports
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50,000 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Exterior LightingPower Train

AT ANY GIVEN TIME, ONE OF MY THREE BRAKE LIGHTS IS NOT WORKING. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY REASON AS THE SAME LIGHT THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY NOT WORKING WILL WORK WHILE A DIFFERENT ONE WILL BE OUT WITHOUT ANY WORK BEING DONE ON THE CAR TO TRY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. SOME TIMES, ONLY ONE LIGHT IS WORKING OR NONE OF THEM ARE WORKIN…

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AT ANY GIVEN TIME, ONE OF MY THREE BRAKE LIGHTS IS NOT WORKING. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY REASON AS THE SAME LIGHT THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY NOT WORKING WILL WORK WHILE A DIFFERENT ONE WILL BE OUT WITHOUT ANY WORK BEING DONE ON THE CAR TO TRY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. SOME TIMES, ONLY ONE LIGHT IS WORKING OR NONE OF THEM ARE WORKING. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKS FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE HAD MY PERSONAL MECHANIC TO REFILL THE TRANSMISSION AT LEAST TWICE AFTER LESS THAN 3,000 MILES AND HAD HOSES CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO APPARENT LEAKS. NONE WERE FOUND. THE LAST TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS FILLED WAS AT THE END OF MAY AND IT IS JERKING REALLY HARD AGAIN AFTER IT WAS REFILLED LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO. THAT DOES NOT APPEAR NORMAL TO ME.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10028581

45,129 miles · Jun 15, 2003
Power Train

AUTO TRANSMISSION DESTROYED ITSELF WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON CAR. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023101

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2003
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH THE TRANSMIISSION SLIPPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ACCELERATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANYJ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #10004441

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2003
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL PEN HAD NO COVER CAUSING THE PEN TO POP OUT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING IT TO SLIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA ODI #10002118

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2002
Power TrainCrashInjury

ENGINE WAS RUNNING, IN PARK, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT APPLIED. CONSUMER WAS ON SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN IT SHIFTED TO REVERSE. VEHICLE DRAGGED CONSUMER 35-40 FEET, INCLINE BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A STOP. CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8009081

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, EXTREMELY HARD DOWN SHIFT FROM 3 TO 2, HUNTING FOR GEARS & HARD SHIFTING IN GENERAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES FOR REPAIR ATTEMPT. AT LAST ATTEMP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO REMEMDY AND TO KEEP DRIVIN…

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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, EXTREMELY HARD DOWN SHIFT FROM 3 TO 2, HUNTING FOR GEARS & HARD SHIFTING IN GENERAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES FOR REPAIR ATTEMPT. AT LAST ATTEMP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO REMEMDY AND TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACED AT 14,000 MILES AND ARE EXPERIENCING INTERMITENT GRINDING AS WELL AS LOUD SQUEALING FROM THE BACK BRAKES DAILY. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING, HARD STARTING IN COLD WEATHER AND A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750620

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Power Train

VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING, TRANSMISSION JERKS.TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 11 TIMES, COULD NOT REMEDY. DEALER STATED DODGE KNOWS THERE IS PROBLEM, BUT DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE IT AT THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885291

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2001
Power Train

CONSUMER WAS ON A BUSY BRIDGE WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, AND IT WOULDN'T KICK INTO NEXT GEAR. ODOMETER WENT DOWN TO ZERO. VEHICLE COULDN'T GO PASS 15MPH. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER BEING INSPECTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #884411

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS KEEP GETTING WARPED CAUSING VIBRATION, PULLING AND LOSS OF PEDAL. TRANSMISSION ERRATIC - DROPS OUT OF GEAR AT 45MPH AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

NHTSA ODI #741659

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2000
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED AT 45 MPH TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #857555

Official recalls

5

06V001000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Jan 5, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V366000 · Child Seat

Nov 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

00V196000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 17, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE WELD BETWEEN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BLOCK AND THE STAND-OFF BRACKET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE STAND-OFF BRACKET FROM THE BLOCK COULD CAUSE FATIGUE DAMAGE OF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND RESULT IN A HALF SYSTEM BRAKE LOSS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BRAKE LINE BRACKET TO THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE.

00V066000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 2, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT CHILD LOCK INSTRUCTION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE INCORRECT LABELS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS.

00V067000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Mar 2, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH UNPAINTED FUEL TANK STRAPS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE PAINT PROVIDES CORROSION PROTECTION NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE STRAPS DO NOT LOOSEN OVER TIME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS.

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

3

EA05019 · Power Steering Fluid Fires

Opened Nov 7, 2005 · Closed Jan 12, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

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 INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling

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 INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

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 INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

PE05036 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jun 29, 2005 · Closed Nov 7, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

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). THE JA CARS WERE INTRODUCED IN MY 1995 AND ENDED WITH MY 2000.THEY WERE PRODUCED WITH 2.0L, 2.4L AND 2.5L ENGINES.THE INCIDENT DATA IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS RESUME ARE FOR SUBJECT VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES FOR ALL CAUSES. ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER, EVIDENCE COLLECTED FROM FIELD INSPECTIONS OF FIRE INCIDENT VEHICLES INDICATE THAT FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS USED IN JA CARS WITH BOTH THE 2.4L AND 2.0L ENGINES IN MY 1995 THROUGH 2000.THE FIRE INCIDENT RATE IN THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2000 JA VEHICLES WITH 2.4L ENGINES IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN IN THE PRIOR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES USING THAT ENGINE AND IN ANY OF THE VEHICLES WITH THE 2.0L OR 2.5L ENGINES.DAIMLERCHRYSLER IS CONTINUING ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE AND HAS PROVIDED PERIODIC UPDATES TO ODI. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-019) HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

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.