WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A ROAD TRIP (ABOUT 2 HOURS) THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND OPENING THE HOOD, THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
2002 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 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
113 reports with mileage · 37 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
48 reportsNOTICED INCREASED OIL USAGE WITH NO LEAKS ALTHOUGH OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3 MONTHS OR 3000 MILES. AT APPROX. 122000 MILES, ENGINE THREW A ROD. SEVERAL DODGE/CHRYSLER MECHANICS STATED THIS WAS DUE TO "OIL SLUDGE" BUILDUP, SAYING THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF OIL USED OR FREQUENCY O…
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NOTICED INCREASED OIL USAGE WITH NO LEAKS ALTHOUGH OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3 MONTHS OR 3000 MILES. AT APPROX. 122000 MILES, ENGINE THREW A ROD. SEVERAL DODGE/CHRYSLER MECHANICS STATED THIS WAS DUE TO "OIL SLUDGE" BUILDUP, SAYING THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF OIL USED OR FREQUENCY OF OIL CHANGES. *TR
DURING DAILY DRIVING MY DODGE STRATUS 2.7 MOTOR FAILED. AFTER TAKING TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSE BY ENGINE SLUDGE AND THAT THE REPAIR WAS GOING TO COST ME 4K. *TR
2.7L ENGINE FAILURE. TENSIONER FOR PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN FAILED TO EXTEND. 2 O RINGS MISSING ON TENSIONER . OIL SLUDGE IN ENGINE. OIL PASSAGES ALMOST PLUGGED. *TR
OIL SLUDGE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP WORKING ON THE CA-110S. *TR
WHILE ON 495 LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY THE CAR MADE A LOAD KNOCKING SOUND AND DIED. WHEN TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC HE SAID IT WAS ENGINE FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED IN NOV. 2007(THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST 2002), AND THERE WERE NO FUNDS TO FIX IT WHICH HAS CAUSED TRANSPORTATION/FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES IN REGARD TO WORK FROM NOV. 200…
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WHILE ON 495 LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY THE CAR MADE A LOAD KNOCKING SOUND AND DIED. WHEN TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC HE SAID IT WAS ENGINE FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED IN NOV. 2007(THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST 2002), AND THERE WERE NO FUNDS TO FIX IT WHICH HAS CAUSED TRANSPORTATION/FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES IN REGARD TO WORK FROM NOV. 2007 UNTIL THE PRESENT,JUNE 2008. THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER REP. SAID THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T BRING THE CAR TO THEM FOR OUR OIL CHANGES. I JUST RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A JASPAR ENGINE FOR 4,500 TO 5,000 DOLLARS. *TR
THE ENGINE STOP WORKING AND I REPLACE THE ENGINE AND IT DID THE SAME THING. ITS THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN PEOPLE A LOT OF PROBLEMS. *TR
OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING UNTOUCHED. *TR
OIL LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING MOST WHEN I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING MAYBE 3 WEEKS AFTER. I KNEW I WAS DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE SO I HAD ONE DONE YESTERDAY THAT DIDN'T STOP THE KNOCKING. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE ENGINE SO LAST NIGHT AS IM DRIVIN…
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OIL LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING MOST WHEN I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING MAYBE 3 WEEKS AFTER. I KNEW I WAS DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE SO I HAD ONE DONE YESTERDAY THAT DIDN'T STOP THE KNOCKING. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE ENGINE SO LAST NIGHT AS IM DRIVING THE KNOCKING GOT REAL LOUD AND YOU COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLICKERING MORE. BEFORE I KNEW IT THE CAR HAD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. *TR
ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,00 MILES. AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. IT KNOCKED FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE PRIOR TO TOTAL FAILURE WITH THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE WARNED AND ANYONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THE AMOUNT TO FIX THE PROBLEM THROUGH DODGE. *TR
Official recalls
216V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 3, 2016
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
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
1PE02082 · 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.
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