Most common 1998 Dodge Stratus problems
Share of the 272 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 →
1998 Dodge Stratus recalls (3)
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right rear brake tube can contact the exhaust system clamp and wear a hole in it.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake tubes for visible evidence of contact with the exhaust system clamp. If the tube shows evidence of contact, it will be replaced.
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 defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1998 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.
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 1998 Dodge Stratus owners say
Engine & cooling all 123 →
At approx 60,000 miles my 1998 Dodge Stratus, developed an oil leak at the head gasket, a cracked exhaust manifold, a timing belt tensioner and cover that have failed, a leaking water pump that needs replacing. My mechanic estimates $2150.00 to replace and repair all these items. To top this off my mechanic tells me that it will take 2 to 3 weeks to get the timing belt tensioner and cover because there's a big back order on these items. Meanwhile I'm without a car! By reveiwing the complaints on the web, I see that this vehicle's head gasket was redesigned by Chrysler since 1998, also the timing belt tensioner has been redesigned. The car has been great up to this point. However I feel, all these recent problems are clearly pre-mature especially since Chrysler has had to redesign the head gasket and tensioner in order to correct the problems with these items. …
I have a 1998 Dodge Stratus and like many others the head gasket needs replacing. I was told about this in July 2002. I was told by service that this was a known problem and that Chrysler would participate in the expense of the repair and it would only cost me $200. At the time I could not afford the repair. Also, the leak was not that bad. I was LED to believe that the $200 would be the cost when I had the repair work done. When I called to make the appointment jan 20, 2003 because the leak was starting to get worse, I asked the service person if this $200 cost was still in effect. He said he checked on it and was told it was. After I dropped off the car, I got a call later in the morning telling me it would cost me full price. My issue is that since this is a known problem on the 98 Stratus why hasn't Chrysler (Dodge) been made to issue a recall. …
Brakes all 43 →
The ABS and the braking system quit working I got on the freeway and I had breaks by the time I got three off ramps later to get off the freeway I had no brakes they didn't work in the pedal went all the way to the floor causing and accident
When the brakes were applied vehicle did not stop, resulting in a collision. Prior to the collision the brakes failed, and consumer jumped a curb, consumer turned the vehicle off, and that stopped the vehicle. The vehicle airbag did not deploy. As a result of the collision the vehicle was declared a total wreck by met life insurance company.
Transmission & drivetrain all 24 →
Vehicle rolled forward while parked and struck a house. There was no key in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The manufacturer denied the claim. Recall o4v021000 was issued for this problem. A recall noticed was received a week later for the park interlock .
In September of 2003 my brother the orginal owner of the 1998 Dodge Stratus sold me the car. And then right after he died. He purchased the car 6 months before he died in March 03. When I received the car I took it to the shop to get an oil change and the transmiison fliud changed. When I did this the oil man told me that I had no oil or transmisson fluid to change it had all leaked out. The oil man told me to get to a machanic as soon as I could. I took the car to get it fixed and the amco transmisson place chaged over 1,000.00 dollars to have it repaired. I see that it was 3 recalls on this car and one had to do with the power train, automatic transmisson/level and linkage. …
1998 Dodge Stratus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 33 / 27 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Stratus a good car?
Based on 272 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Stratus rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Stratus at the same age. 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 1998 Dodge Stratus?
The engine & cooling — 123 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (43) and transmission & drivetrain (24).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Stratus have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 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 1998 Dodge Stratus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 19% 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.