IllustrationI HAVE AN 04 STRATUS COUPE I BOUGHT NEW, THE DASH IS COMING APART AT THE DEFROSTER VENT. IT ON HAS 7,500 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT. *TR
2004 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 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
210–25K
2425–50K
2250–75K
1475–100K
22100–150K
10150K+
113 reports with mileage · 31 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.
- Suspension. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
24 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
144 reportsRIGHT REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNT CORRODED AND FAILED. THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD NO SUPPORT AS THE TOP OF THE STRUT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY POOR DESIGN FOR AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SALT IS USED TO CLEAR SNOW FROM ROADS. PREVIOUS YEARS DESIGN OF THE UPPER MOUNT WAS A STEEL …
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RIGHT REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNT CORRODED AND FAILED. THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD NO SUPPORT AS THE TOP OF THE STRUT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY POOR DESIGN FOR AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SALT IS USED TO CLEAR SNOW FROM ROADS. PREVIOUS YEARS DESIGN OF THE UPPER MOUNT WAS A STEEL MOUNT. IN 2004 THE MOUNT APPEARS TO BE ALUMINUM AND VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE MOUNT. I REPLACED BOTH MOUNTS AS THE OTHER WAS BEGINNING TO CORRODE AS WELL. *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT'A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE WHICH HAD SPUN OUT IN FRONT OF HER VEHICLE DUE TO THE ICY CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH WHEN SHE STUCK THE SECOND VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES PROCEEDED TO SLIDE DOWN A STEEP EMBACKMENT. ALTHOUGH THE VECHILE WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY,…
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TL*- THE CONTACT'A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE WHICH HAD SPUN OUT IN FRONT OF HER VEHICLE DUE TO THE ICY CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH WHEN SHE STUCK THE SECOND VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES PROCEEDED TO SLIDE DOWN A STEEP EMBACKMENT. ALTHOUGH THE VECHILE WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, IT SEEMD THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENTIONER DID ENGAGE AND KEPT THE DRIVER FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. BOTH THE OFFICER AT THE SCENE, AND THE INSURANCE AGENT WERE SURPRISED THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT HAD A POLICE REPORT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50900 MILES.
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING HER 2004 DODGE STRATUS (115111 FAILURE MILEAGE) AT 1 MPH INTO A PARKING, SHE HEARD A CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND AIRBAG LIGHT DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND NOW THE HORN IS INOPERABLE. SHE STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING BROKE.
2004 DODGE STRATUS. 2006 BRITAX SAFE VOYAGE CAR SEAT HARNESS RETAINER CLIP IS THIN AND BENT AND DOES NOT HOLD THE HARNESS IN PLACE. *KB *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE AT AN IDLE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALTHOUGH THIS WAS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE, AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE WAS EASILY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V44…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE AT AN IDLE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALTHOUGH THIS WAS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE, AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE WAS EASILY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V443000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM AND ANOTHER NHTSA RECALL, # 04V313000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON WET ROADS, SMOKE BEGAN TO ERUPT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY, AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FAN BLADES HAD DETACHED AND PIERCED THE RADIATOR.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DURING EACH INCIDENT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. ON THE FIRST INCIDENT THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE AIRBAG MODULE AND IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SQUIDS. THE SE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DURING EACH INCIDENT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. ON THE FIRST INCIDENT THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE AIRBAG MODULE AND IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SQUIDS. THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AIR BAG MODULE AND THE AIR BAG. THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER WAS REPAIRED. THE SECOND INCIDENT RESULTED IN INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS DETERMINED DEFECTIVE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR WAS FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AIR BAG MODULE, THE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. THE SEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE.
2004 STRATUS KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. *TS THE LOCK CYLINDER WAS BINDING. THE LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
2004 STRATUS MADE A WHISTLING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE WHEN DRIVING 70-80 MPH. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED IT SOUNDED AS IF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO FALL APART. THE CONSUMER THINKS SOMETHING IS LOOSE OR BROKE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE THINKS IT MAY BE THE STEERING, TRANSMISSION OR THE RACK AND PINION. *JB
Official recalls
315V338000 · 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.
04V313000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jun 29, 2004
ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.