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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

What owners actually said

62 reports
73,000 miles · Jun 29, 2009
Suspension

THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE WERE NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE WAS THE TOP REAR STRUT MOUNTS, FROM THE AMOUNT OF BACK ORDERS ON THE PARTS THE FAILURE IS QUITE FREQUENT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275293

56,000 miles · Jun 24, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

DODGE 2005 STRATUS ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE SEIZED UP. NO OIL IN ENGINE CAUSED STALL. OIL LIGHT CAME ON & THOUGHT THAT IT INDICATED LOW OIL. INSTEAD OIL LIGHT INDICATED NO OIL IN ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE SEIZE UP, TIMING BELT BREAKING, STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF MIDTOWN MANHATTAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274869

57,000 miles · Apr 7, 2009
Seats

1. WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE AT INTERSECTION OF LINCOLIN WAY AND SOUTH DAKOTA. 2. AS I ACCELERATED FROM THE STOP LIGHT TO TURN SOUTH ONTO SOUTH DAKOTA, MY CHAIR MADE A "POPPING" NOISE AND MY CHAIR SLAMMED BACKWARD INTO THE RECLINE POSITION AND I WAS STARRING AT THE TOP OF THE CAR. THE FAILURE WAS THE FORWARD RETAININ…

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1. WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE AT INTERSECTION OF LINCOLIN WAY AND SOUTH DAKOTA. 2. AS I ACCELERATED FROM THE STOP LIGHT TO TURN SOUTH ONTO SOUTH DAKOTA, MY CHAIR MADE A "POPPING" NOISE AND MY CHAIR SLAMMED BACKWARD INTO THE RECLINE POSITION AND I WAS STARRING AT THE TOP OF THE CAR. THE FAILURE WAS THE FORWARD RETAINING BOLT THAT FASTENS THE SEAT BACK TO THE SLIDING FRAME RAIL HAD SNAPPED. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE FRAME SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BACK TO BEND. THANKFULLY NO PERSON WAS HURT DURING THIS EVENT BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. 3. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, BENSON MOTORS. THEY PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. THEN I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE AN ENTIRE DIFFERENT SEAT FOR MY VEHICLE. A NEW CHAIR WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $1,000.00 OR PURCHASE A USED CHAIR FROM A SALVAGE YARD FOR ROUGHLY $500.00. FROM INSPECTING THE CHAIR PERSONALLY, THE SUPPORT BOLT SNAPPED CLEAN OFF, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, AND I WILL BE RECORDING THE FAILURE WITH MY DIGITAL CAMERA. I ALSO CALLED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATIONS CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLES 3YR/30,000MI WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264361

64,402 miles · Jan 14, 2009
Air BagsEquipmentCrash

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 DODGE STRATUS SXT ALONG ON A GRAVEL ROAD ON OCT 12 2008 AND HAD A DEER RUN OUT IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I SWERVED TO AVOID THE DEER MY LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW AND CAUSED MY CAR TO END UP IN A DITCH. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 35 TO 40 MPH, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS DESTROYED TO IN…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 DODGE STRATUS SXT ALONG ON A GRAVEL ROAD ON OCT 12 2008 AND HAD A DEER RUN OUT IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I SWERVED TO AVOID THE DEER MY LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW AND CAUSED MY CAR TO END UP IN A DITCH. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 35 TO 40 MPH, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS DESTROYED TO INCLUDE THE FRONT BUMPER COVER, BOTH FRONT FENDERS, THE HOOD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE DUE TO $5900 WORTH OF DAMAGE. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255083

40,341 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Structure

ON MY 05 DODGE STRATUS R\T COUPE THE DASH BOARD BY THE DEFROSTER VENT AREA IS BENDING UP FROM THE FOAM INSULATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253250

62,015 miles · Oct 13, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR A FATALITY. THE PROBLEM THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS IS IN THE 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM 2005 TO PRESENT. THE CRANKSHAFT MOVES INSIDE THE ENGINE (ENDPLAY) AND PUSHES THE FRONT MAIN SEAL TO COME OUT. THIS SPILLS THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF OIL ONTO THE ROAD AND COVERS THE BOTTOM OF THE…

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I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR A FATALITY. THE PROBLEM THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS IS IN THE 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM 2005 TO PRESENT. THE CRANKSHAFT MOVES INSIDE THE ENGINE (ENDPLAY) AND PUSHES THE FRONT MAIN SEAL TO COME OUT. THIS SPILLS THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF OIL ONTO THE ROAD AND COVERS THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED THE SHOP SAID IT WAS SURPRISING THAT THE CAR DID NOT CRASH FIRE. DODGE REFUSES TO FIX THE CAR, BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DODGE SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245244

56,000 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY SO THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF AND IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY. A COUPLE OF MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE FAILURE KEPT RECURRING FOR …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY SO THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF AND IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY. A COUPLE OF MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE FAILURE KEPT RECURRING FOR THE NEXT THREE HOURS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE PART NEEDED FOR INSPECTION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A FAILURE CODE. THE CONTACT RENTED A U-HAUL TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED; HOWEVER, THEY ALSO COULD NOT PROVIDE A CODE FOR THE FAILURE. ANOTHER DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE FOR THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION AS WELL. SHE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AND DROVE FOR APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AND A HALF WITHOUT ANY FAILURES. THE FAILURE HAS RECENTLY RECURRED AND TAKES PLACE WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALES DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR FOUR DAYS. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER NEW AND DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241745

39 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Air BagsCrash

HELLO,MY NAME IS [XXX] . I WAS INVOLVED IN AN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 1 OF 2008. I WAS DRIVING A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. MY VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY SPEED LIMIT ON IMPACT WAS BETWEEN 35-40 MILES…

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HELLO,MY NAME IS [XXX] . I WAS INVOLVED IN AN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 1 OF 2008. I WAS DRIVING A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. MY VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY SPEED LIMIT ON IMPACT WAS BETWEEN 35-40 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS SHOCKED MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. LUCKILY, MYSELF AND MY MOTHER WAS WEARING OUR SAFETY BELTS. I FEEL AT THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING MY AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DODGE STRATUS ON FRIDAY AUGUST 8, 2008, STILL I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A RESPONSE. PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237795

74,000 miles · Jul 23, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFireInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE TWO VEHICLE LENGTHS BEFORE HIM, CAUSED HIM TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT OF HIS HOOD WAS JAMMED UNDER THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. A PASSERBY INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE TWO VEHICLE LENGTHS BEFORE HIM, CAUSED HIM TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT OF HIS HOOD WAS JAMMED UNDER THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. A PASSERBY INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE OTHER VEHICLE AS WELL. BOTH VEHICLES BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND FILED REPORTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10235451

52,500 miles · May 27, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS AND NO HORN IN HER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FUEL GAUGE WERE NOT WORKING. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE IGNITION (WHERE THE KEY IS INSERTED) WAS SMOKING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE B…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS AND NO HORN IN HER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FUEL GAUGE WERE NOT WORKING. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE IGNITION (WHERE THE KEY IS INSERTED) WAS SMOKING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY DIAGNOSTIC TEST; THEREFORE, THE BATTERY WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,500.

NHTSA ODI #10229021

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.