Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Auto transmission downshifts at freeway speeds, throwing driver towards windshield. Problem began 2003. Have many, many service visits. Lube shop flushed system. Dealer replaced tps switch, dealer replaced TCM, trans shop rebuilt transmission with new torque converter and new input and output switches (worked one year) then problem returned. Trans shop flushed system, trans shop replaced tps (again), trans shp recommended to replace TCM (again), but, dealer said no problem found. Another dealer says tps bad. When I said it was replaced 100 miles earlier, they said that it was either wiring short, or main computer failure, has no way to know what problem is. Also said that if I fix the "wiring" I would have to rebuild the transmission (again), awen I said it was rebuilt last year, dealer changed his story and said I did not have to rebuild transmission. Dealer recommends junking the car. …
While driving the transmission downshifts to limp mode causing a highly probable danger situation that May lead to serious injuries especially if traveling on the freeway. We have replaced the TCM at $166.00from a dealer and another dealer sucked approx.300.00 knowing that there is no way of fixing the defective transmission. Why are you still allowing the dealers to replace parts that they fully know won't fix the main problem? Why is there no recall on the defective transmissions? On the complaint side of your web page there are a lot of similar complaints! The dealer wants us to take the car back to them for diagnostics and I am sure they will recommend another problem solving idea to make us spend more money knowing it will not work.
Car has had transmission rebuilt three times. First time it was rebuilt by dealer at approximately 85000 miles because of "rough" shifting. Second time at 150000 miles at transmission re-builder because of it consistently going in to "limp" mode. After several return visits, they still could not fix the problem. I drove the car for 10000 miles being careful of conditions that I was in case it slipped in to "limp" mode. I eventually took it to a different shop to have it rechecked. After having all mechanical parts replaced, all sensors, and TCM module the car still goes in to "limp" mode almost on a daily basis.
Dt: since the consumer purchased the vehicle it would shift into low gear or neutral on its own while driving. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers for repairs. The dealer performed a diagnostic test and that ultimately LED to the replacement of a solenoid pack. This did not correct the problem. The dealer noted that transmission computer had to be flashed. Consumer took vehicle to a Dodge dealer and no repairs were done. They did not offer an explanation as to why this happened. The gear still moved while in drive. This is still a problem.
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.
Consumer received a recall letter. Called a dealer, and was told to bring the vehicle in. After waiting she was told there were no parts. Consumer made another appointment, after arriving and waiting for two hours the part was not in, and she was told it would be one month. The recall was on shift interlock.
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.
I purchased the car and the car would start to bounce down to first gear and now will not come out of first gear.I have tried to have it worked on but the transmition shop could not fix the problem either!!!
I am filing this complaint with respect to a 1995 Dodge Stratus. The Dodge Stratus is equipped with a device which I assume is tied in with the car's electronics or computer. The purpose of this specific device is to monitor the operation of the car's transmission so that whenever the transmission is under stress or is not operating as designed or intended (or at least the the computer surmises that the transmission is not operating normally or up to standard), the computer whenever that occurs automatically downshifts the Dodge Stratus to 2nd gear without any prior warning or notice whatsoever to the driver and the Dodge remains in 2nd gear until such time as the Dodge is brought to a complete stop and until the engine is completely turned off. …
Purchased vehicle with clean carfax record in feb 06 with 75K miles. At 81K miles transmission started going into limp mode(slams into second gear regardless of vehicle speed). Took car to dealership for diagnostic. They stated the input and output speed sensors were failing according to the computer. I replaced them. A week later the transmission fully failed. Towed to a reputable transmission chain store. They fully rebuilt the mechanicals of transmission and replaced the speed sensors again. As I drove home the transmission returned to limp mode. Returned to shop. They test drove it and second gear clutches burned up. They rebuilt it again and also replaced valve body and solenoid pack. I drove the car for a month before it again started limping. Took the car to another dealership for diagnosis. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock May fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. An inoperative interlock May also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the park position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new load-limiting push rod into the floor shifter lever of the affected vehicles. Owner notification began on June 14, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
NHTSA investigations
Auto trans ignition-park interlock
The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler?s (dc) analysis of model year (my) 1998 (population = 356,384) and 1999 (population = 486,948) ja, jx and lh family subject vehicle data (earlier mys excluded).the population number includes all mys.the precise number of duplicates between odi and dc reports cannot be determined due to missing or incomplete information.the fatality incident involved an…
Transmission complaints in other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Dodge Stratus, 17% of the model year's 318 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Stratus transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-021 (floor shift, Jan 13, 2004); NHTSA recall 98V-183 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Aug 6, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Stratus transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.