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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
53,000 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Structure

HEARD AND FELT NOISE AND VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. TOOK CAR IN FOR CHECK UP WAS TOLD MOTOR MOUNTS (4) WERE NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421506

103,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. AS A RESLUT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY SUFFERED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED REGARDING THE INCIDENT. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. AS A RESLUT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY SUFFERED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED10/13/11 *BF UPDATED 11/02/11

NHTSA ODI #10418007

42,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP SHE HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AS HARD AS SHE COULD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP SHE HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AS HARD AS SHE COULD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10411734

113,349 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Suspension

MOUNTING BRACKET ON REAR STRUTS BROKE

NHTSA ODI #10409513

56,262 miles · Jun 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

OUR 2004 DODGE STRATUS ENGINE SEIZED UP COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH OUR CHILDREN. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE WHICH ONLY NOW HAVE WE BECOME AWARE OF THE LONG HISTORY OF THIS CATASTROPHIC TYPE OF FAILURE. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE TAKEN…

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OUR 2004 DODGE STRATUS ENGINE SEIZED UP COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH OUR CHILDREN. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE WHICH ONLY NOW HAVE WE BECOME AWARE OF THE LONG HISTORY OF THIS CATASTROPHIC TYPE OF FAILURE. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE TAKEN METICULOUS CARE WITH MAINTENANCE AS NOTED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR DEALERSHIP. NONE THE LESS, NOW I AM EXPECTED TO SPEND $6,700 TO REPLACE A MOTOR THAT WAS CLEARLY DEFECTED IN DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407330

70,000 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL THAT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL THAT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10405795

88,000 miles · Dec 26, 2010
Suspension

HAVE A 2004 DODGE STRATUS AND UPPER LEFT REAR STRUT MOUNT HAS BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE BUYING THE CAR NEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372431

101,000 miles · Aug 22, 2010
Suspension

MY 2004 DODGE STRATUS HAS DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE ALUMINUM REAR STRUT UPPER MOUNT BRACKETS CORRODED SO BAD THEFT FELL APART IN 4 PIECES AND CORROSION DUST . THESE BRACKETS ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TO FALL APART LIKE THIS ON A VEHICLE ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR DODGE TO REPLACE THESE PARTS OR PAY FOR THE PARTS A…

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MY 2004 DODGE STRATUS HAS DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE ALUMINUM REAR STRUT UPPER MOUNT BRACKETS CORRODED SO BAD THEFT FELL APART IN 4 PIECES AND CORROSION DUST . THESE BRACKETS ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TO FALL APART LIKE THIS ON A VEHICLE ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR DODGE TO REPLACE THESE PARTS OR PAY FOR THE PARTS ALREADY REPLACED. I NEED THE CAR. I CAN'T WAIT FOR A RECALL. I WILL KEEP THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351160

119,376 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A 04 DODGE STRATUS WITH A 2.7 ENGINE AND NEED TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE. IT HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ THE COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ENGINE AND AM SCARED TO FIX ANYTHING. THIS SLUDGE PROBLEM I READ ABOUT COULD BE NEXT FOR US. AND FROM WHAT I READ WILL BE. I PURCHASED IT FOR MY SON AND NEVER H…

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I PURCHASED A 04 DODGE STRATUS WITH A 2.7 ENGINE AND NEED TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE. IT HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ THE COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ENGINE AND AM SCARED TO FIX ANYTHING. THIS SLUDGE PROBLEM I READ ABOUT COULD BE NEXT FOR US. AND FROM WHAT I READ WILL BE. I PURCHASED IT FOR MY SON AND NEVER HERD OF THESE PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW. HE HAS HAD IT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NOW THIS. WE HAVE HARDSHIPS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FAMILY AND FIXING MINOR PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLES ARE BAD ENOUGH. THE FIX FOR THIS IS ABOUT 1000.00 WILL THE SLUDGE BE NEXT? I WOULD LIKE TO BE APART OF ANY LAW SUIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343214

150,000 miles · May 25, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED IT INTO DRIVE. THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS OF 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONSUMER HIT TWO PEDESTRIANS AS WELL A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED IT INTO DRIVE. THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS OF 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONSUMER HIT TWO PEDESTRIANS AS WELL AS ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING AND THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE OVER A CURB. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE CURB AND THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. TWO PEDESTRIANS, THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER EIGHT TIMES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE WITH CONCERNS OF HIGHER THAN NORMAL ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE EACH TIME AND ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/16/11*LJ UPDATED 11/18/11

NHTSA ODI #10332128

Official recalls

3

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.