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2003 Dodge Stratus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 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

54 reports with mileage · 21 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2023
Air Bags

When replacing the Clock Spring I noticed the Airbag serial number matched numbers from other vehicles for recall but my vehicle was not listed in recall.Vin number [XXX] 2003 Dodge Stratus Sedan INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11543328

178,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN HAD NO FUNCTIONALITY AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN HAD NO FUNCTIONALITY AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11000003

114,150 miles · Oct 23, 2016
Air BagsSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND I HEARD A KIND OF SNAP AND THEN I FELT AND HEARD A GRINDING IN MY STEERING WHEEL. FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHENEVER I HAD TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS THIS NOISE LIST A SPRING WAS CAUGHT AND ALMOST WOULD GET CAUGHT AND I WOULD HAVE TO QUICKLY JERK THE STEERING WHEEL SO…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND I HEARD A KIND OF SNAP AND THEN I FELT AND HEARD A GRINDING IN MY STEERING WHEEL. FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHENEVER I HAD TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS THIS NOISE LIST A SPRING WAS CAUGHT AND ALMOST WOULD GET CAUGHT AND I WOULD HAVE TO QUICKLY JERK THE STEERING WHEEL SO IT WOULDN'T GET STUCK AND KEEP ME FROM TURNING. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, SO IT WON,T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND I LOST FUNCTION OF MY SPEED CONTROL. I WAS TOLD THIS IS MY CLOCKSPRING. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WAS RECALLED IN MANY DODGE VEHICLES BUT HAS YET TO BE RECALLED IN MY VEHICLE. SEE SAFETY RECALL NO. B24 (11/01/2002) FOR 1998 DODGE VEHICLES BUT DODGE CONTINUED TO USE THESE FAULTY CLOCKSPRINGS THAT IN FACT SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10918117

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SHATTERING THE CONTACT'S STERNUM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SHATTERING THE CONTACT'S STERNUM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE AND A FRACTURED LEG WHICH NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10822769

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10766441

80,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10735169

90,000 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

I WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WHEN I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL.THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON.THEN I NOTICED THE HORN DID NOT WORK. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I AM 100% CONVINCED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAS BROKEN.FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWS THERE IS A RECALL ON CHRYSLER-DODGE CLOCK SPRING…

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I WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WHEN I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL.THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON.THEN I NOTICED THE HORN DID NOT WORK. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I AM 100% CONVINCED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAS BROKEN.FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWS THERE IS A RECALL ON CHRYSLER-DODGE CLOCK SPRINGS BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN YEAR-MODELS WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THE YEAR OR MODEL OF THE VEHICLE IS IRRELEVANT IF THE CLOCK SPRING PART IN QUESTION (THE ONE IN THE RECALL) WAS/IS STILL BEING INSTALLED ON VEHICLES NOT IN THE RECALL LIKE MINE A 2003 DODGE STRATUS A LITTLE INVESTIGATION ON YOUR END WILL CLEARLY SHOW THIS TO BE THE CASE. I'D BE WILLING TO BET THAT MY CLOCK SPRING HAS THE SAME MANUFACTURING NUMBERS AS THE RECALLED CLOCK SPRINGS . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619168

50,195 miles · Jan 3, 2008
Air Bags

I BOUGHT A 2003 DODGE STRATUS ON 12/29/07 FROM JUNGE IN CENTER POINT IA. TODAY WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL I HEARD A CLICK SOUND AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. ESTIMATES TO HAVE THIS FIXED ARE $250-$350. ALL DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MY OPERATOR'S MANUAL CONCURS THAT MY AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK.…

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I BOUGHT A 2003 DODGE STRATUS ON 12/29/07 FROM JUNGE IN CENTER POINT IA. TODAY WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL I HEARD A CLICK SOUND AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. ESTIMATES TO HAVE THIS FIXED ARE $250-$350. ALL DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MY OPERATOR'S MANUAL CONCURS THAT MY AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK. DODGE HEADQUARTERS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. TO ME I AM UNSURE WHY TURNING A WHEEL WHICH IS NECESSARY SHOULD COMPROMISE THE AIRBAG AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213594

63,000 miles · Dec 5, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. AS A RESULT OF THE INJURIES SHE DID NOT HAVE FULL RECOLLECTION OF THE INCIDENT AND COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT OR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A PO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. AS A RESULT OF THE INJURIES SHE DID NOT HAVE FULL RECOLLECTION OF THE INCIDENT AND COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT OR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE WAS REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10210930

57,775 miles · Nov 7, 2007
Air BagsFuel System, Gasoline

1. I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. 2. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & WAS RESET. 3. FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. I ONLY HAVE 57K MILES AND THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS (03V443000). I ALSO HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS THE CLOCKSPRING AND HAS ALSO BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. NEITHER OF THESE A…

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1. I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. 2. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & WAS RESET. 3. FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. I ONLY HAVE 57K MILES AND THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS (03V443000). I ALSO HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS THE CLOCKSPRING AND HAS ALSO BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. NEITHER OF THESE ARE SHOWN AS RECALLED ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208126

Official recalls

2

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.

03V443000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

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.