IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION BUT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH
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 →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
1025–50K
2250–75K
2675–100K
31100–150K
18150K+
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
What owners actually said
216 reportsAT 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
COMPLAINT ABOUT ENGINE/OIL LIGHT SYSTEM. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT DIED OUT WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING. (THE OIL LIGHT HAD COME ON SECONDS BEFORE THE INCIDENT) THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE MOTOR WAS GONE. THE CONSUMER WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DARK SMOKE, KNOCKING, NOR DID THE OIL LIGHT COME ON…
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COMPLAINT ABOUT ENGINE/OIL LIGHT SYSTEM. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT DIED OUT WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING. (THE OIL LIGHT HAD COME ON SECONDS BEFORE THE INCIDENT) THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE MOTOR WAS GONE. THE CONSUMER WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DARK SMOKE, KNOCKING, NOR DID THE OIL LIGHT COME ON. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A PAYMENT FOR THE ENGINE REPAIR COST. *SCC *JB
AUTO TRANSMISSION DESTROYED ITSELF WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON CAR. *NLM
AFTER RE-FUELING THE VEHICLE, IT SHUT OFF. *JB
AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SPEED, AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COOL WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES--THIS CREATES A PROBLEM IN THE SUMMER SINCE I LIVE IN TEXAS AND THE SUMMERS ARE VERY HOT DOWN HERE. ALSO DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL HAS JAMMED SEVER TIMES WHEN IT IS …
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AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SPEED, AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COOL WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES--THIS CREATES A PROBLEM IN THE SUMMER SINCE I LIVE IN TEXAS AND THE SUMMERS ARE VERY HOT DOWN HERE. ALSO DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL HAS JAMMED SEVER TIMES WHEN IT IS OPENED, PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING DOOR WERE COMING OFF, THIS CAUSES THE DOOR TO JAM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS. ALSO, BLOWER MOTOR ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. *JB
OUR DODGE STRATUS HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE SWITCH CONTROLLING THE WIPER BLADES/WASHER SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE WIPERS AND WASHER RAN CONTINUOUSLY. THE WIPERS WERE STOPPED ONLY BY PULLING THE 30 AMP FUSE UNDER THE HOOD. THE PUMP SUPPLYING WASHER FLUID TO THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE STOPPED AT ALL EVEN AFTER IT RAN …
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OUR DODGE STRATUS HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE SWITCH CONTROLLING THE WIPER BLADES/WASHER SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE WIPERS AND WASHER RAN CONTINUOUSLY. THE WIPERS WERE STOPPED ONLY BY PULLING THE 30 AMP FUSE UNDER THE HOOD. THE PUMP SUPPLYING WASHER FLUID TO THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE STOPPED AT ALL EVEN AFTER IT RAN OUT OF FLUID. WHILE THE FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURIES, THE FAILURE COULD HAVE LED TO ONE WITH A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER. THE COST OF THE REPAIR AND THE SWITCH WAS $290.00. NEITHER DAIMLER/CHRYSLER NOR THE SELLING DEALERSHIP WOULD COVER THE COST OF ANY PART OF THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS JUST 2000 MILES AND ONE MONTH BEYOND WARRANTY AND CLEARLY OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A DEFECT. I AM REPORTING THIS INCIDENT IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCE A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *JB
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 8/2002. THREE CHILDREN SEATED IN THE BACK WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELT ON WERE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CHILDREN'S AGES ARE 6, 7, AND 10 YEARS OLD. THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. *NLM
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 8/2002. THREE CHILDREN SEATED IN THE BACK WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELT ON WERE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CHILDREN'S AGES ARE 6, 7, AND 10 YEARS OLD. THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. *NLM
Official recalls
506V001000 · 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
3EA05019 · 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.