Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I was on the highway going home when all of a sudden my car gave a loud bang and smoke started coming out of the hood. The car had stalled and I got to the side of the road. Flames where shooting out of the engine compartment. I was told by the mechanic who finally looked at the car that one of the cylinders had gone through the side wall and caused the fire. I have since learned that there was a recall on the engine. To be more precise the galley plug, I would like to find out if anyone had serviced my car on the recall. If they haden't then maybe that is what cause the problem, I really would like to know.
While driving at approximately 30 MPH, my car started to overheat. When I pulled over, the coolant was pouring out of the engine. I had the car towed to a garage and was told that it failed the "block test" meaning that it needed a new head gasket. I took the car to a second garage and was told the same thing. This is a known failure that has been happening since the car was produced. The manufacture needs to cover the parts and labor of this repair. I was told by my local dealer, dayton andrews Dodge, that this particular car is not covered under the earlier recall.
The car leaks oil badly, I see its had been a oil recall under/ the engine cylinder head oil gallery plug/ it smokes the hood, leaks water out of tail pipe: 1995 Dodge Stratus recall#96v00600/ the dealer keeps telling me there isn't any recalls on my vehicle. If this problem persist its going to start a fire,,,,,,,,,,,its a safety hazard in my eye and many other auto repair shops,,,,
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.
The vehicle was parked, when the engine caught on fire. Prior to fire, vehicle was running rough and used a lot gas. Dirty fuel rail was replaced and 4 injectors that were plugged. Consumer is aware of recall 96v00600 relating to this condition.
1995 Dodge Stratus caught on fire. The consumer was driving, when all of a sudden the vehicle lost power. The consumer pulled onto the shoulder, exited the vehicle and saw smoke. A few minutes later the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Need info if poss if fd Dodge in error per recall what my options are??I have no vec, my insura has bn filed, no info yet,I was drivg maybe 8-10 min whn noticed smoke and then pulled over an became ingulfed in flames.
Car was worked on by a Dodge dealership (bob banning & sons) to correct an oil leak. One day after receiving the car back, it caught on fire in the middle of traffic. The car was totaled by the fire.
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. …
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 ! …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Remedy: Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.
Engine complaints in other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1995 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 106 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1995 Dodge Stratus, 33% of the model year's 318 complaints. The component named most often is engine (66 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Stratus engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-006 (gasoline, Jan 11, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Stratus engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 137,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.