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 1996 Dodge Stratus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
While traveling approximately 10 to 15 MPH applied pressure to brake pedal in an effort to slow vehicle, and brake system failed to slow vehicle down, resulting in a crash, where it rear-ended another vehicle. There was no police report or injuries. Dealership has not made a determination for cause of problem, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not affected by any recall. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Consumer was traveling 50mph over a bridge driver in thecar in front put on brakes and vehicle jumped to the right. Consumer applied brakes, but vehicle wouldn't pull to the right or left. When she apllied the brakes a second time, vehicle went down an enbankment into the water and flipped twice, landing upside down . Consumer broke the window, and crawled out of vehicle. She suffered internal injuries.
Consumer was traveling at approximately 30 MPH when pulling out from a traffic light and rear ended a pick up truck. Approximately $5000+ damage done to front end of vehicle. Also, driver's and passenger's air bags failed to deploy. Consumer states rear brakes did not seem to work.
On going/intermittent problem with vehicle brake pedal going to the floor; reason unknown. Caused vehicle to rear end another vehicle in front of consumer. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on four occasions, and was informed that nothing could be found.
Failure on the ABS braking system, consumer was driving at a low speed and the brake pedal went to the floor, causing the consumer to have an accident. Dealer stated it was nothing major, just a loose screw, consumer was injured in accident.
Accident occurred due to failure of the brakes. While driving northbound on knights road in bensalem, a car (2 cars ahead of me)slammed on their brakes to make a left hand turn. The Mini-van that was directly in front of me also stopped suddenly. As I approached, I slowed down to a stop. The Mini-van started to proceed around the vehicle. I then took my foot off the brake to also go around the vehicle, however the Mini-van stopped suddenly again. At this point I placed my foot on the brake pedal and it went to the floor. My car rolled into the Mini-van. My insurance paid out approximatly $1500.00 in damage to fix their bumper. I am now however going through a lawsuit for bodily damage. After the accident occurred I contacted Chrysler. They sent an inspector out to check my brakes at the dealership. …
My 1996 Dodge Stratus has 37,000 miles. In February 2002 I took it to sears for an oil change. Also asking them to see where oil was leaking (noticed oil on concrete in garage). They said valve cover gasket so I got that fixed for about $72.00 all along thinking that there were not that many miles driven. And to bad the warranty had just expired. I think it was 5 years or 25,000 miles. Within the next 2 months oil was leaking again. Took it in and end up paying $702.00 because the head gasket was bad. The mechanic showed it to me and jokingly said isn't it funny how this can be so cheap that it almost was deteriorated and the warranty 5yrs is up. Even though I had not drove 25,000 miles yet. Well the final blow , on oct 10,2002 I kept hearing a clunk when I made left or right turn. Took it to the rhoden Dodge. …
Ltr fm jovan mathews (tx) re problems with his 1996 Dodge Stratus and asking daimler Chrysler to initiate a recall. The A/C leaked, electric circuits malfunctioned, transmission problems, premature brake wear, head gasket, and poor drive ability. The consumer had replaced the timing belt, hydraulic tensioner, water pump, alternator, alternator belt, rotors, brake shoes, rear wheel cylinders, pcv valve, dryer, A/C compressor, tires, all filters, and fluids. The vehicle was in need of an exhaust manifold, windshield, struts, shocks, steering wheel, and a head gasket. …
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 1996 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Dodge Stratus, 12% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 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 1996 Dodge Stratus brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires 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.