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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

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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

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.

10 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

48 reports
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54,750 miles · Mar 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE FAILED AT 54,800 MILES ON MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SLIGHT ENGINE KNOCK. CAR HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING. WE LEFT THE CAR THERE FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (2.7L DOHC 24 VALVE V-6) AT NO COST TO ME THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. WE A…

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ENGINE FAILED AT 54,800 MILES ON MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SLIGHT ENGINE KNOCK. CAR HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING. WE LEFT THE CAR THERE FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (2.7L DOHC 24 VALVE V-6) AT NO COST TO ME THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. WE AGREED AND 3 DAY'S LATER THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY WAS CANCELED AND WOULD NOT TELL ME WHY. I GAVE THEM ALL MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS. WHEN WE ARRIVED TO PICK UP OUR CAR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US THAT THE CAR MAY NOT START BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN SITTING THERE FOR 2 WEEKS. THAT'S BULL... HE THEN TOLD US THAT THE CAR HAD JUMPED TIME AND THAT THEY WOULD PUT IT BACK IN TIME FOR US AND SPLIT THE COST. WE AGREED YET AGAIN AND LEFT THE CAR THERE. HE THEN CALLED US AGAIN AND SAID THAT THE CAR DIDN'T JUMP TIME, BUT THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH ENGINE SLUDGE BUILT UP THAT IT WAS STARVING THE CAR FOR OIL. AND THAT'S WHY IT WONT START. BUT THE CAR HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING AND RUNNING BEFORE WE DROPPED IT OFF JUST A LITTLE ENGINE KNOCK AT IDLE. PLEASE HELP ME... THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10062768

27,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CHECK ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I BROUGHT IT IN ONCE THEY REPLACED A HOSE. A FEW DAYS LATER IT CAME BACK ON WE BROUGHT IT TO A DIFFERANT SHOP THEY RESET IT AND BLAMED ME FOR IT. STATING THAT I LEAVE MY CAR RUN WHEN I PUT GAS IN IT AND THAT IS WHY IT COMES ON. WELL THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WE ARE WORKING O…

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THE CHECK ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I BROUGHT IT IN ONCE THEY REPLACED A HOSE. A FEW DAYS LATER IT CAME BACK ON WE BROUGHT IT TO A DIFFERANT SHOP THEY RESET IT AND BLAMED ME FOR IT. STATING THAT I LEAVE MY CAR RUN WHEN I PUT GAS IN IT AND THAT IS WHY IT COMES ON. WELL THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WE ARE WORKING ON MAKING A 3RD APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED. IF ITS DOING ALL OF THIS NOW WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WARRANTY!?

NHTSA ODI #10071011

51,136 miles · Dec 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE'S 2.7 LITRE V6 200HP ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE MECHANIC AT THE FIRST SHOP SAID MY TIMING BELT WAS BAD, AND THAT MY ENGINE, EVEN THOUGH MAINTAINED WAS SLUDGED. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT A DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THEY SAID THAT FOR $5850 I CAN HAVE A NEW ENGINE WITH A 12,000 MILE…

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MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE'S 2.7 LITRE V6 200HP ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE MECHANIC AT THE FIRST SHOP SAID MY TIMING BELT WAS BAD, AND THAT MY ENGINE, EVEN THOUGH MAINTAINED WAS SLUDGED. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT A DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THEY SAID THAT FOR $5850 I CAN HAVE A NEW ENGINE WITH A 12,000 MILE, OR 12 MONTH WARRANTY- I AM NOT SHELLING OUT NEAR $6000 FOR A NEW ENGINE WHEN IT HAS A 12,000 MILE WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051060

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AND ACCERLERATING, CAR STARTS TO JERK / HESITATE - POOR GAS MILEAGE - TAC FLUTTERS AND ENGINE REVS UP WHILE CAR IS PARK OR IN NEUTRAL. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047132

64,000 miles · Oct 6, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

HAD PARKED VEHICLE. NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT CALLED AND ARRIVED TO PUT OUT FLAMES. CAUSE OF FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BY FIRE DEPT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042349

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

I AM SO DISSATISFIED WITH MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JAN 2003, I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAN ANY OTHER. MY CAR LEAKS FLUIDS CONSTANTLY, MY BREAKS DON'T WORK WHEN APPLIED, MY CAR HESITATES IN ALL WEATHER CIRCUMSTANCES, MY WINDSHIELD MAKES A CRACKLING NOISE, MY DOORS SQUEAK ALONG WITH MY …

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I AM SO DISSATISFIED WITH MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JAN 2003, I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAN ANY OTHER. MY CAR LEAKS FLUIDS CONSTANTLY, MY BREAKS DON'T WORK WHEN APPLIED, MY CAR HESITATES IN ALL WEATHER CIRCUMSTANCES, MY WINDSHIELD MAKES A CRACKLING NOISE, MY DOORS SQUEAK ALONG WITH MY TRUNK LID. NOT TO MENTION THAT I GET ANYWHERE FROM 10-15 MILES PER GALLON FOR GAS. I DRIVE FOR ABOUT 40 MIN AND HALF OF MY GAS IS GONE!!! THIS VEHICLE IS A HAZARD TO THE ROAD AND ANYONE OR THING IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH :-( I NEVER RECOMMEND MY CAR TO ANYONE AND AM ASHAMED TO SAY IT'S MINE. DODGE IS DEFINATELY ONE DEALER THAT I WIL NEVER EVER EVER BUY ANOTHER CAR FROM!!!!! *AK

NHTSA ODI #10023860

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT TENSION. PH

NHTSA ODI #10011796

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

DRIVNG APPROX 40MPH WHEN ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF LIKE IT RAN OUT OF GAS (FULL TANK-ONLY 25 MILES ON THAT TANK USED). WOULD NOT RESTART, SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO CATCH, BUT COULDN'T. TOWED TO DEALER-NOTHING FOUND. 8 HOURS LATER, CAR IDLING IN DRIVEWAY WHEN IT SPUTTERED AND DIED. RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, TAKEN TO DEALER, NOTHI…

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DRIVNG APPROX 40MPH WHEN ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF LIKE IT RAN OUT OF GAS (FULL TANK-ONLY 25 MILES ON THAT TANK USED). WOULD NOT RESTART, SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO CATCH, BUT COULDN'T. TOWED TO DEALER-NOTHING FOUND. 8 HOURS LATER, CAR IDLING IN DRIVEWAY WHEN IT SPUTTERED AND DIED. RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, TAKEN TO DEALER, NOTHING FOUND. NLM

NHTSA ODI #767141

Official recalls

2

16V401000 · 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

1

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.