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 1998 Dodge Stratus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that the gear shifted from park without the key in the ignition. The contact also stated that the key became stuck in the ignition. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 04v02100 (power train), however, the vehicle was not affected at the time and no repairs were done. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Vehicle was parked in the driveway it rolled backward and hit another vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer. Then, consumer received a recall 04V021000 concerning ignition interlock. Consumer was concerned because a collsion occurred and the problem had nort been resolved.
I have a 1998 Dodge Stratus es. The transmission will place itself in neutral at random times while at a stop. The only way to get the transmission working again is to restart the car. The car has the power-stick transmission.
This car has been a major problem. Head gasket failed at approx 11,000 on my way to airport to pick up family on April 10, 1999. Couldn't get it in for service until April 14, 1999. Transmission clutch started catching or scraping on something shortly after head gasket was replaced, I was told when work was completed (replaced cables on 11/18/1999) that problem was manufacturer defect mileage was 18,373. Was again experiencing same problem with clutch on 2/29/2000. Upon speaking with service team, was told there was a bad bearing in the transmission and they would be replacing both the cables and transmission parts; I also asked for them to check the engine light , because it was coming on and had a strong smell of gasoline; vaccum system was replaced. On 3/24/2000 internal parts of transmission were replaced at 22,349 mi. …
I requested recall inspection for transmission power train on 6-19-2000. While looking for info on my Dodge Stratus 9 8 on your website I accessed recalls and noticed that their were two for this car. One was for brake recall and I was notified by huntsville Dodge and took the car in for the inspection the other recall was for power train transmission problem the recall date was owner notification oct 1998 I purchased this car in dec 98 and according to the info at that time this car was on there lot at the time of recall notification. I took the recall info to dealer and asked if that recall inspection was done while the car was in there possession and on there lot before it was sold to me in dec 98. They looked it up I guess by VIN and told me no it was not I asked them to do it while they had it there. They said they would and did. …
I bought a Stratus from a used car dealer, which I understand buyer beware. Just resently I had the tensioner bar bolt break off as I was driving the car, which could of cause a great deal of damage but I got lucky. Plus, I take the freeway to work each day, what if that would have snap off in the middle of traffic? My car completely shut off, immediately. Luckly, I was on a side street and had towed to a mechanic, I took it to the place that replaced my head gasket (another complaint) and they fixed it but also told me that Dodge had made a complete new piece for it and had to get the full kit. Which that costed me six hundred and fifty for that. I do have the old tensioner parts but I dont have the old head gasket parts.
Dealership gave me statement that recall item was fixed on 10-22-1999 and they did nothing. The problem still exists. I can manuver the shift lever from park position with the key out of the ignition. They did not replace the shifter assembly and interlock cable as stated in the recall notice I receiverd from Chrysler. I called the dealer and was told to bring it back in. So I trust them to do this correctly?
Tl contact owns a 1998 Dodge Stratus. The vehicle was repaired under recall # 04V021000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift). The dealer stated that the shift linkage cable was not a part of the recall and will not repair the vehicle for free. The vehicle has not been repaired. The purchase date and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 189,608.
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 1998 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Dodge Stratus, 9% of the model year's 272 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 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 1998 Dodge Stratus transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 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.