Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
After parking the vehicle, went into the house, and a friend came to notify consumer that the vehicle was on fire. Consumer stated that the permanent registration on the vehicle had not been received.
Numerous failures-since I bought this "95 Dodge Stratus with only 30,000 miles. 1) engine making a knocking noise-I took car to the Dodge dealership-buchanan & young in burnsville, nc and had a new head gasket put on. 2) I replaced the battery because the car wouldn't start. I also replaced the battery cables, so the car would start, but this did not solve the problem. I replaced the starter to try to get the car to start. I still often have to get out and peck on the starter with a screwdriver to get it to start---even after I had a new starter put on. Date: 8-10-05 3) wheel broke off/car not drivable-parts to fix problem & mechanic's bill 4) had to replace flywheel 5) had to replace steering components I have spent approximately $2,000 to get this car with very low miles on it to start.
I was on my way to my job and I May a full stop on a red light the engine stop so I proceeded to check the control panel to view any anormal signal. Afterwards I turned the ignition on and put the car on drive, I turned right on the intersection . After driving about 100 feet the engine stopped again and when I try to turned it on there was a big explosion and a big flame came out from the engine. Inmediatedly I got out from the car and some passbyers called the police and firemen. Up to this moment I lack knowledge of why this occurred. The car was a total lost. I would appreciate any infor mation about this or any simiilar accidents of this car's trademark and model.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Dodge Stratus. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shifted into first gear without warning, which caused the vehicle speed to decrease. There were several repairs performed on the vehicle to correct the failure; however, the failure continued to occur. The transmission was rebuilt and the solenoid was replaced on two occasions. The sensors and relays were replaced on numerous occasions; however, the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was 63,000 miles and current mileage was 68,000.
Request for refund for all repairs made to transmission that was in the recall . The consumer's transmission failed prior to recall notification. The consumer request reimbursement for the cost of the repair. The radiator was replaced. The engine mount assembly was replaced. The ignition was replaced.
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. …
Took car to dealership several times because of vehicle being hard to start, or stalling for no reason. No problems were found. No attempt was made to discover the problem. Car would stall after being driven on hot day, stall while trying to make a turn, stall when stopped for light,etc., sometimes it would be hard to start. Had to place my foot on the accelorator and quickly shift into reverse to get the car going. Finally, after warranty expired, vehicle lost power while driving at about 30 MPH and while engine had been sitting all day. The car could not be started. The dealership replaced the distributor at a cost of $900.00 to me. Dealership no help. Told that the car was too far out of the warranty eventhough I had reported similar problems during the warranty period. Have had many other problems with this car as well. Too many to list. …
This car has had 2 replaced computers and 2 oxygen sensorsthat I know of, also I have been to several shops including the doge dealer ships to see why the check ingine light is on and according to their machines there is nothing wrong with the car. But their is something wrong with this car, after driving if on a hot day once you turn off the car and let it set , when you go to start it agian it will not start it acts like it has no gas, it starts popping and dieing out, it almost seems like it is vapor locking. I was told these car do not vapoor lock , but this one sure act like it . I have been back to the dealer ship I bought the car from and they have worked and worked on this car for the same problems and nobody can figure out what the problem is ! …
What I am doing is trying to get help; my vehicle is badly leaking oil, the recall is for galley plugs, but the dealer in phoenix says it is the head gasket and not covered by the recall, approximately. $900.00 to fix. The dealership said to me on the phone, "at that mileage it won't be the galley plugs, it'l be the head gasket, that's what it always is with those Stratus'"(emphasis mine). What I am trying to understand is that if it is a common of enough problem for the dealership to say that, as well as a head gasket to be shot at such a low mileage, why isn't this just as much as a recall as the galley plugs, allowing me and I'm sure many others to be helped. Can somebody please answer this request, I called the Chrysler factory about this and they could have cared less.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1995 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Dodge Stratus, 13% of the model year's 318 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Stratus electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1995 Dodge Stratus, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Stratus electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.