Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Dodge Stratus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My wife complained of brake pedal travel further than normal. Upon investigation, I discovered that one of the bolt studs that holds the master cylinder to the power brake booster was broken off and missing. The master cylinder was pushed out of the booster to about a 30 degeree angle. The remaining stud was still in place but bent badly to one side. If there had been a panic stop required, I feel that the master cylinder could have separated from the booster, with the effect of having no braking effectiveness. This could have resulted in a serious accident or fatality.
The consumer experienced problems wit anti-lock brakes. While the consumer was driving, applied brakes and foot went to the floorboard. As a result, the consumer rear-ended another vehicle. The manufacturer has been contacted. The defects described relate to recall number 96V075000.
While driving, lower ball joint broke, dropped down, damaged wheel/lower control arm and ball joint, caused fire in left front brake caliper; according to dealer, all parts need replacing, including brake pads. Vehicle available for inspection.
Equpped with ABS brakes which failed completely and owner has numerous invoices. Vehicle was also included in recall for master cylinder. Owner still experiencing brake failure w/cause unknown by point Dodge in michigan.
Keep blowing fuses to the starter, catalyst converter needs to be replaced, had car less than 2 years failed pa state inspection twice in 1998 ,6/98 & 7/98, and 5/99. When inspected in 98 took to midas, was told that car would need to have $800 in repairs done to the brake line, was given a long list of things needed to be done, told dealer, they fixed one problem rear wheel cylinders leaked which made rear brakes go bad, dealer had another Nissan dealer in pa to inspect was charged $60 to replace winshield wipers and inspect, car already had new wipers could not pass without them. Winshield washer does not work did not know when car was brought told dealer, dealer said there would be a charge to fix only, had car for less than 2 weeks. Car keeps cutting off when steering wheel is turned all the way to the left. …
Vehicle has been to 2 different dealerships. The first was freedom Dodge of lexington and the replaced the ABS modular. The problem we were having with the car is that we could be traveling at 55 MPH or 5 MPH and the car would stop running. Resulting no power. Freedom could not find the problem, so we took it to superior Dodge and the did a software update to the computer and still same problems happened. Installed a co-pilot and found the dist. Cap sensor was bad. Replaced, picked the car up and within 24 hours the car stalled 5 times. This vehicle has been in the shop now 9 times, going on 10. I need to know the next steps to take. This is a saftey issue. I could kill someone, or be killed in the vehicle.
Upon exiting a major intersteate, had to apply brakes in order to slow down on ramp. The brake pedal was rock hard and could not be pushed down. Had to apply the emergency brake and skid for about 300 feet. Luckily we did not hit anything before we came to a stop. Brakes worked immediately after this, but we were afraid to drive. Had a tow truck bring car to our local mechanic who could not find anything wrong with car. Test drove for three days and could not duplicate the problem. He then took the car to a Chrysler dealer who put the car on the diagnostic computer. Car could not be diagnosed due to an electronic problem in the car. Both the ABS and the brake lights were on.and have not turned off since.
The front, right brake locks up under hard braking, causing vehicle to pull hard to the right. I avoided hitting other cars only because there were no other cars in the right lane of traffic. This problem was reported to the dealer and to Chrysler at [phone] on May 17, 1999. A mr. Dante amabile with Chrysler customer relations reviewed this problem (reference # 5797365), but reported there was no problem with this car and that there was no recall on ABS brakes for 1995 Dodge Stratus models. I referenced NHTSA campaign id number 96V074000, but was told by mr. Amabile that there was no such recall. This is a dangerous car that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
In October of 99' our car stopped running when brakes applied on i75 during a construction zone. It then stopped running 5 more times that day (10/02/99). We took the vehicle in to find the problem. But we informed that nothing showed on the diginostics. This has been a repeated problem for 4 months. 2 of those months our car sat at freedom Dodge of lexington with people telling us the could not get it to duplicate. I have paid for parts that need not be replaced, because I would get the car back and once again I would get about 2 miles from where I picked it up, and it would stop running on me. This happens when I hit the brakes. I lose power steering and power brakes.
The car was stopping normally on clean dry pavement from 35 MPH and when slowed to about 25 MPH the brake pedal dropped approximatly .25 inches a whirring noise came from under the hood and the brakes seemed to totally free wheel. I pumped the brakes to no avail and stepped on the brake pedal as hard as I could and the car continued to roll with no apparent braking. I looked at the dash and no warning lights were lit . After I carefully limped home with one hand on the parking brake I checked the fluid and it was normal.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Corrosion of the ABS hydraulic control unit can cause the solenoid valves to stick in the open position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a plate and silicone grease injected into the solenoid cavity to eliminate the potential for this condition.
Brake complaints in other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1995 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the brakes of the 1995 Dodge Stratus, 19% of the model year's 318 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Stratus brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-075 (master cylinder, May 3, 1996); NHTSA recall 96V-074 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, May 2, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Stratus brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.