Most common 1996 Dodge Stratus problems
Share of the 554 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Stratus complaints by model year
Best Stratus years: 2005, 2006, 2003. Years to avoid: 1996, 1997, 1995. Compare all years →
1996 Dodge Stratus recalls (7)
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage.
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
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.
Show 1 more recall
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1996 Dodge Stratus:
Safety belt cinching latch plate
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations.
Lower control arm ball joint failure
By letter dated November 6, 1997, the manufacturer advised this agency of its decision to initiate a safety recall campaign of the subject vehicles to correct the defect identified in this ea.the recall will also cover 1996 and 1997 Chrysler cirrus/Dodge stratus vehicles, as well as 1995 through 1997 Chrysler sebring convertible and Plymouth breeze vehicles equipped with identical lower control arm ball joints.an…
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…
What 1996 Dodge Stratus owners say
Engine & cooling all 335 →
I own a 96 Dodge Stratus, I purchased it year of 97. I received numerous recalls on this vechicle since the day of purchased. I followed up on each recall that I received. As time went on I had numerous problems with this vehicle. Over the years I aways believe in Chrysler products to be safe and sound.I feel that it's been truly unfair too loyal consumers such as myself many others. I don't understand why a company such as Chrysler and engineers would engineered a product like the Dodge Stratus with so many defects. On Saturday November 5, 2005 I went to pay a bill about five to ten miles away from home. Return home, park the car, lock the doors went into my apartment. About ten minutes later a neighborhood boy knock on my door and said your gold car is on fire. I ran outside to see, yes it was my car on fire! Fire was coming from underneath the hood. …
R&r front left wheel bearing fix, hub & bearing assembly total cost $214.55 clean engine total cost $83.46 engine oil leak, tried oil stop leak & seems to be working for the time being. Radiator/antifreeze leak, I'm spending $150 month for antifreeze. Putting in 1-2 bottles a day. Probably will have radiator fixed soon. Muffler fell off, can't afford a new one. Needs new spark plugs, can't afford that either. Needs manifold gasket, can't afford that either. Needs oil pan gasket, can't afford that either. Needs new wipers, can't afford that either.
Brakes all 65 →
Brakes failed on my sons '96 Dodge Stratus. He went over approximately a 20 foot embankment and landed in a creek. Luckily he only received minor injuries. I searched the web and found your site on recalls and the master cylinder for the brakes were recalled for this particular vehicle, however, his VIN # wasn't included in the recall. It cost about $600.00 to replace this.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Dodge Stratus. The contact purchased the vehicle and noticed that the motor was not mounted down and was missing two screws. The motor jerks back and forth so severely that it seems as if the engine will fall out of the vehicle. In addition, the timing chain, fuel pump, ignition coil, serpentine belt, and muffler are failing. New brakes and struts are also needed. The contact did not discover these issues until after the vehicle was purchased. Two days later, the vehicle would not start and had to be towed back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 60 →
Tl contact owns a 1996 Dodge Stratus. While the vehicle was parked at a gas station, the contact was informed that her vehicle was smoking under the hood. She was able to take the vehicle to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the engine compartment suffered a melt down. A report was filed with the manufacturer, but they would not assist. The current and failure mileages were 193,000. Updated 8/7/09 the PCM and power shifter were faulty. Updated 08/11/09.
Three head gasket was replaced three times. The consumer had experienced problems with the vehicle after one year of purchase. The consumer had been without the vehicle every other month. The vehicle had a perpetual oil leak and since the vehicle was no longer under warranty, she had to seek help from an independent mechanic. The vehicle had so much oil leaking out, the consumer placed oil in the vehicle instead of gas. Chrysler would not do anything. The vehicle had started to leak transmission fluid, also the front seal began to leak as well, the check engine light had come on, then the vehicle started missing out, sputtered, and the starter was intermittent due to a short. The consumer had requested a refund of repairs. …
1996 Dodge Stratus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 33 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Dodge Stratus a good car?
Based on 554 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Stratus rates avoid: 2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Stratus at the same age. It is one of the Stratus years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
The engine & cooling — 335 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (65) and transmission & drivetrain (60).
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Stratus have?
There are 7 recalls for the 1996 Dodge Stratus, the most recent from January 13, 2004 (floor shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Stratus?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2006 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996, 1997 and 1995. See the full Dodge Stratus years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Stratus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 97,000 miles; 8% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.