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 1996 Dodge Stratus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
I purchased my 1996 Dodge Stratus in the summer of 1996 and so far I have had nothing but trouble with this vehicle, one head gasket repair through the dealership at a cost of $1600, one timing chain replacement at a cost of $600 and now again another head gasket leak. In the year 2000 this car sat in the garage for a total of 11 months due to not having the money to fix the head gasket problem which caused a severe financial and a mentally frustrating time during those months without a car. I would like to be included in the class action lawsuit against Chrysler so please forward me any information needed in going forward with this lawsuit.
I own two Dodge Stratus. One transmission just failed. The transmission shop daid it was because of the transmission lines to the radiator had loosened up. The car had been involved in a minor accident. Now my other Stratus has developed a transmission leak. Same problem!! I have to believe there is a manufacter defect!!
Consumer states that car caught on fire. The fire department told owner that the fire started in the engine. The manufacturer sent an investigator down. The outcome of that investigation was that there was a defect in the power train. Manufacturer. Raplaced vehicle.
Transmission was slipping. Took vehicle to dealer, and they pulled out and rebuilt transmission. Then, reinstalled it. Next day while driving at highway speeds driver heard a loud banging noise under car. Driver pulled over and vehicle caught on fire.
Owner of 1996 Dodge Stratus, a certified lemon with repeated head-gasket leaks/transmission leaks. I have had this vehicle repaired twice for head gasket leakage and twice for transmission problems.
Since the purchase of this vehicle it has been in the repair shop 9 times. Several of these repairs have been repeat repairs. The manual transmission started giving us problems on 10/18/1999. It took them until 08/28/2001 to repair it. Then we had to bring it back on 10/22/2001 because a seal was leaking on the transmission. At that time I had them listen to the car, because the transmission was making the same noise it started with in 10/1999. They said they didn't hear anything, which is what they told us up until 08/28/2001. Now this car is getting ready to go back to the shop for the transmission. In the 3 years we have owned this car it has had $5201.48 worht of repairs done to it. In addition to the defective parts I have listed, it also had an ignition coil, injectors, ball joints, and tie rod ends replaced. …
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. …
2nd request fax FWD email fm behalf of [redacted] (tx) re numerous defects on a 1996 Dodge Stratus (VIN#[redacted]). The A/C leaked, electrical circuits malfunctioned, transmission problems, premature brake wear, head gasket problems, and poor driveability. There was steering oscillation when driven above 50 MPH, rough ride when there was an irregular surface, erratic idle, performance loss, overheating in traffic and or the A/C would become inoperative, warm-up sag, hesitation/die out, rear grid defogger indicator light malfunctioned, inside lights worked improperly, erratic late harsh transmission shifts, frequent rumble or gear noise from the front between 50 and 70 MPH, musty odor and defogger failed to clear the glass. The vehicle was also in need of an exhaust manifold and struts.
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 1996 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1996 Dodge Stratus, 11% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 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 1996 Dodge Stratus transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 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.