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2005 Dodge Stratus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Dodge Stratus are lower than the model-year median of 168.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

53 reports with mileage · 9 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 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports

Steering complaints

13 reports
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73,083 miles · Oct 8, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

GOT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND FROM DAY 1 WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY THE CAR IS ALMOST UNCONTROLABLE THE WHEEL PULLS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BAD SO I HAVE TO PUMP THEM AND THEN IT STILL PULLS AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES 4 TIMES TO MAKE SURE IT WASNT THE DISC AND ALSO REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE SHOP TOLD ME THE L…

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GOT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND FROM DAY 1 WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY THE CAR IS ALMOST UNCONTROLABLE THE WHEEL PULLS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BAD SO I HAVE TO PUMP THEM AND THEN IT STILL PULLS AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES 4 TIMES TO MAKE SURE IT WASNT THE DISC AND ALSO REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE SHOP TOLD ME THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE CRACKING UP AND SO ITS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BE REPLACING SOMETHING THAT SHOULDNT BE MESSED UP MY CAR HAS LOW MILES IT STARTED MAKIMG CLUNKING NOISES WHEM GOING OVER A BUMP AND ANY TIME CAR IS MOVING IT IS SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FRPM FRONT OF CAR

NHTSA ODI #11363494

180,500 miles · May 11, 2018
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

TAKATA THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN AS A RECALL ON A DODGE STRATUS AND TRIED TO REPORT IT AND WHOMEVER I BE TALKING TO IS IN DENIAL ABOUT THAT MY CAR IS SHOWING ME THE SIGNS THAT IT'S NEEDS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT'S A MALFUNCTION MY BALL JOINT IS BAD BECAUSE OF THE FRONT RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE HAS MESSED IT UP AND MY…

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TAKATA THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN AS A RECALL ON A DODGE STRATUS AND TRIED TO REPORT IT AND WHOMEVER I BE TALKING TO IS IN DENIAL ABOUT THAT MY CAR IS SHOWING ME THE SIGNS THAT IT'S NEEDS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT'S A MALFUNCTION MY BALL JOINT IS BAD BECAUSE OF THE FRONT RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE HAS MESSED IT UP AND MY GAS GAUGE IS MESSED UP WITH THE ALARM AND TEMP CONTROL IS ALSO MESSED UP

NHTSA ODI #11093420

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2018
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE DRIVER HAD A SEIZURE AFTER THE CRASH AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE DRIVER HAD A SEIZURE AFTER THE CRASH AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT IT WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE CONTACT'S ACCOUNT OF WHAT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. AFTER TEN DAYS, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE AFTER BEING TOWED TO A YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH MONTHS AFTER IT HAPPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11062444

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2017
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT KNEE AND HAD A SEIZURE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS A STATE MATTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11005381

121,517 miles · Feb 25, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspensionCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2013 " AS IS" (USED) F ROM A CAR LOT. THERE WERE AT LEAST 2 OR 3 ALIGNMENTS COMPLETED DUE TO REPAIRS ON RELATED PARTS. AFTER EACH ALIGNMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN TO AN ANGLED POSITION AFTER A FEW DAYS OR A WEEK. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR TURNING IT TO THE RIGH…

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THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2013 " AS IS" (USED) F ROM A CAR LOT. THERE WERE AT LEAST 2 OR 3 ALIGNMENTS COMPLETED DUE TO REPAIRS ON RELATED PARTS. AFTER EACH ALIGNMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN TO AN ANGLED POSITION AFTER A FEW DAYS OR A WEEK. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR TURNING IT TO THE RIGHT WHILE BACKING UP IN REVERSE, A LOUD POP CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE HAS ALWAYS SEEMED TO COME FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. EVERYTHING SUGGESTED AS REPAIRS HAS BEEN DONE. BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. ALL FRONT AND BACK STRUTS WERE REPLACED. ALSO THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION CAUSING NOISE AND BOUNCING WHILE DRIVING. ALL OF THIS HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS, DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH OR MUCH LESS. A MECHANIC SUGGESTED IN 2013 THAT THE CAR MIGHT HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT ALMOST EVERYTHING HAS WORKED WELL FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED WHICH DOES NOT WORK ON THE REGULAR BACK AND FORTH AND SUPER FAST SPEED. THE WIPER SWITCH WAS REPLACED WHICH DIDN'T HELP. A DODGE DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT LAST WEEK AND SAID THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WORKS. ONLY ONE OF MANY AUTO REPAIR PLACES TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR AN ELEC ISSUE. ALSO IN 2013, THE FIRST CAR REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO DID NOT DETECT ANY RECALLS AND THEY LISTED A DIFFERENT VIN # WHICH IS:[XXX], ON MY PAPERWORK. A DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS NOT VALID WHEN I CONTACTED IT FOR PARTS. A DIFFERENT VIN # IS ON THE CAR TITLE WHICH IS IN MY NAME. COULD THIS CAR BE PART OF A CHOP SHOP SCAM? I'VE HAD A PROBLEM TRYING TO FIND PARTS THAT MATCH THE COLOR AND YEAR ESPECIALLY FOR AN INSIDE DOOR PANEL. ALSO I FILED POLICE REPORTS BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS ENTERED THE CAR REPEATEDLY AND ILLEGALLY WITHOUT FORCED ENTRY AND MAY HAVE A KEY. THE SELLER OF THE CAR WAS DISHONEST WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10956883

160,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
SteeringSuspensionWheels

WAS DRIVING 25 MPH DRIVING ON PARAMOUNT BLVD AT WHITTIER BLVD, IN PICO RIVERA, CA, WHEN THE CAR MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE, THEN FELT AS THOUGH WE WERE DRAGGING SOMETHING. ONLY DROVE 50 FEET BEFORE PULLING OVER, AS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS INITIALLY A FLAT TIRE, UNTIL WE GOT OUT. OUR MECHANIC INSPECTED I…

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WAS DRIVING 25 MPH DRIVING ON PARAMOUNT BLVD AT WHITTIER BLVD, IN PICO RIVERA, CA, WHEN THE CAR MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE, THEN FELT AS THOUGH WE WERE DRAGGING SOMETHING. ONLY DROVE 50 FEET BEFORE PULLING OVER, AS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS INITIALLY A FLAT TIRE, UNTIL WE GOT OUT. OUR MECHANIC INSPECTED IT, AND DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE PICTURE THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS RUSTED AND SNAPPED FREE OF ITS HOUSING.

NHTSA ODI #10883022

93,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING MANY TIMES IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN ANY CURVE. I MUST DRIVE IT UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT AT LEAST 5 MILES TO SAFELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. I AM TERRIFIED EVERYDAY IN THIS CAR. WHEN USING THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY AN DOES NOT STOP WELL EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS(BRAKE…

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THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING MANY TIMES IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN ANY CURVE. I MUST DRIVE IT UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT AT LEAST 5 MILES TO SAFELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. I AM TERRIFIED EVERYDAY IN THIS CAR. WHEN USING THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY AN DOES NOT STOP WELL EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS(BRAKES ARE NEW)

NHTSA ODI #10780229

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2015
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HE COULDN'T STEER. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE JUST TURNED IN SIDEWAYS AND WOULDN'T MOVE WITH ANY MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WE JACKED UP THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND WE SAW THE ARM WITH THE BALL JOINT WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE SOCKET. BY THE LOOKS…

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I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HE COULDN'T STEER. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE JUST TURNED IN SIDEWAYS AND WOULDN'T MOVE WITH ANY MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WE JACKED UP THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND WE SAW THE ARM WITH THE BALL JOINT WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE SOCKET. BY THE LOOKS OF IT, THE CRACK IS NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE. WE CAN MANUALLY MOVE THE TIRE AS IT IS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM. I WAS VERY UPSET WITH THIS AND THE FACT I WASN'T NOTIFIED THIS WAS AN ISSUE. NOT ONLY COULD MY LIFE HAVE BEEN IN DANGER BUT ALSO MY NEPHEW WHO I LET USE THE CAR AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADS EVERYDAY. AN ISSUE LIKE THIS WOULD FOR SURE CAUSE A FATALITY AT A FAST SPEED AS I DRIVE THE INTERSTATE DAILY WITH MY TWIN GIRLS. THIS ISSUE BEST BE FIXED AND MORE NOTIFICATION IS REQUESTED ON ANY OTHER ISSUES PERTAINING TO MY CAR! IF ITS NOT A RECALL, MAKE IT A RECALL! VERY DANGEROUS!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10762558

101,000 miles · Mar 20, 2015
Steering

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. SHE GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE FRONT AND DISCOVERED THE BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE TURNED OUT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. THE TIE ROD HAD BROKE AND CAME APART. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO FIX IT AT HOME, BUT AS A FATHER, I WOR…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. SHE GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE FRONT AND DISCOVERED THE BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE TURNED OUT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. THE TIE ROD HAD BROKE AND CAME APART. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO FIX IT AT HOME, BUT AS A FATHER, I WORRY ABOUT JUST THIS THING HAPPENING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700653

149,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
SteeringSuspensionWheels

ONE DAY I WENT TO BACK OUT, I TURNED THE WHEEL AND HEAR THIS CRUNCHING, CLUNKING SOUND WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A HUGE ROCK SCRAPPING ON METAL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND WALKED AROUND THE CAR AND SAW NOTHING. IT STARTED AGAIN AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP. ANYTIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, I HEARD THIS SOUND. I TOOK IT TO A ME…

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ONE DAY I WENT TO BACK OUT, I TURNED THE WHEEL AND HEAR THIS CRUNCHING, CLUNKING SOUND WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A HUGE ROCK SCRAPPING ON METAL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND WALKED AROUND THE CAR AND SAW NOTHING. IT STARTED AGAIN AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP. ANYTIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, I HEARD THIS SOUND. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE TIE-ROD ENDS. HE SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL YET. I CALLED THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX IT SINCE THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. NOPE ! THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT FOR FREE WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL RECALL. IT'S A COSTLY REPAIR $900-$1100 B/C IT REQUIRES MANY DIFFERENT SERVICES - TIE ROD ENDS, TIRES, BALANCE, ALIGNMENT, BUT THEY WOULD NOT DROP THE PRICE BY A SINGLE PENNY. NOW THEY ARE DOING A PIECEMEAL RECALL BEGINNING WITH THE TRUCKS. WHY NOT FORCE THEM TO RECALL THEM ALL ? I HAVE BEEN ON MULTIPLE SITES AND I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS FROM AS FAR BACK AS 2003 TO AS RECENTLY AS 2014. I WISH THE GOVERNMENT WAS A HARD ON THE DEALERS AS THE DEALERS ARE ON THE BUYERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651169

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.

04V579000 · Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm

Dec 9, 2004

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND CONVERTIBLE MODEL VEHICLES, THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE COMPONENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEERING KNUCKLE TO CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V532000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Nov 2, 2004

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR OUTBOARD RETRACTOR AND TURNING LOOP BOLTS ON THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE AFFECTED FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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.