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 1999 Dodge Stratus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. While driving at various speeds, the contact noticed a burning rubber odor and shaking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger side wheel hub, wheel, tire, and brake drum were extremely hot. The contact independently changed both rear brake shoes, springs, and drums; however, the failure recurred. The contact independently diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
My girl friend came home and said the car was smoking so I went to look at it and yes smoke was coming from the firewall side of the motor right above the exhaust manifold .I did some research and found a recall on the high pressure hose for the power steering pump so I called the number given and Chrysler set me up with haddad Dodge in bakersfield california we set an appointment for the repairs to be done , I brought the car to them and they kept it for 4 days I called them about the car and they said it was ready I picked it up later that afternoon drove approx 6 miles home it was smoking slightly but no where near as bad as before so I thought nothing of it , maybe just residual from before the repair.the following morning I drove from real rd to fair view ave and the car was smoking heavily I stopped in front of a friends house opened the hood and there was a fire burning on the …
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped at a red light, the engine stalled without warning, and would not restart. The vehicle was pushed to a nearby independent repair shop, who determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Afterwards, a strong smell of gasoline was present inside the vehicle. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06e088000, regarding the fuel system. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Additionally, while applying brake pressure at various speeds, there was an increased stopping distance. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop, who determined the master cylinder needed to be replaced, but after the replacement, the problem persisted. There was a NHTSA recall, # 99V244000, regarding the service brakes. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. …
I bought a car in jan 2020 which has been sitting a few/couple years and I found 3 recalls on it. 1999 Dodge Stratus 2.4. I emailed u s customer care/ Dodge customer care and got mail back stating yes on 3 recalls and a dealer in reno nv to call. I called and service and parts dept said yes on recalls. Bring it in to check and advise to fix. Got mutil mails from customer care stating they had car under last owner and I told them I was new owner. Next mail was, claim/s are closed. I asked why now 3 times and no answer except a take survey. No service or repairs have been done on this car other then to find out there was 3 recalls and now customer care doesnt want to do anything to fix this car. I dont understand how one day there is and the next day claim closed. The only difference is I am a new owner. One recall is for a fix power steering hose so car wont catch fire. …
Dt*: the contact stated that a squeaking noise was heard coming from the rear passenger brake area and the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floor. The first incident occurred at 35 MPH during dry and clear road conditions. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop on 03/15/06 where a brake kit, and brake shoes were installed. However, the brake problems persisted. On 03/20/06, the vehicle was taken back to an independent repair shop who determined that the vehicle's brakes solenoids were broken. The brakes were replaced and a new brake kit and solenoid were installed on 04/25/06. The brake problem still persisted. The vehicle's brakes were also re-done on 05/09/06. After each repairs at the independent repair shop, the brake problem recurred therefore the vehicle was taken to the dealer on 06/28/06. The dealer determined that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. …
The problem with the brakes is that they do not stop the car. It feels like when you hit the brakes that the transmission won't disengage. It May not really be a disengagement problem but the brakes have never been good at stopping the car. When you hit the brakes the car nosedives but feels like it won't stop. It is like you have to get out of the seat and stand on the brakes. The feel is like the old brakes that had heat build up. You would get that outgassing that would resist pedal pressure. This has resulted in many near accidents and finally an accident. I also drive a pick up truck and those brakes work much better. I beleive there is an inherent defect with the brakes. It is also possible there is a frame problem. I don't see how a less than 10 MPH accident could crush the hood and the front end to over 2600 bucks of damage. …
This is the second time this has happened. Lost all instrumentation: speed,fuel,RPM,etc,at 50mph. Just prior to this, the ABS light came on. The first fix included a new battery last year, three alternators until one worked (do not think this was the problem), and some kind of a harness which was rubbing on the engine? And creating a short. This problem could be the reason for all the car fires. Thank you.
I have had ongoing problems with this vehicle in the one year I have owned it. Ive spoken to the dealership and they refused to assist. I most recently had as bazzar experience the day I went to the dealership to get my house key . My key was in the ignition as I was removing key, I fet a mild shock traveling through my arm then into my watch which maintained a vibration for a log time and eventually causing it to never work again this was an odd occurence becouse I was noticing other starange thing in the vehicle .such as my odometer suddenly accumulating mialeage at a unbelivable rate prior to my scheduled repair appointment at the dealership, (for an oil leak) that ended up being a blown head gasket(that incedently was not under warrenty) becouse of the milage. …
Whenver I try to brake car, my steering wheel shakes even I got new rotors. Problem with rotors - rotors seems to mess up everyone 1 year, something must be wrong with rotors and pads assembly in this model. Also, Michelin xw4 tires that come with the new model in 1999, wore out real quickly. It never reach 60,000 miles warranty which michenlin "stated in warranty". Too many defects in Michelin tires, when I bought new car after 2 months I had flat tire wihtout any nails or anything. Then, again another tire blew up after 8 months with 6 inch hole in tire. There is a big effect in Michelin xw4....I hope I can get money back for tires and rotors which I spent at shop. (tiresize: 195-70-r14)
Vehicle has had a continuous brake problem that still has not been corrected. While applying brakes, brake pedal feels firm or catches like it is slowing down to stop vehicle. Brake pedal gets soft, goes to the floor,and causes vehicle to roll. Mechanic has changed front and rear pads, but problem seemed to have gotten worse. It was recommend that consumer go to a Dodge dealer to see if problem could be rectified.
Related recalls
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.
Brake complaints in other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Dodge Stratus, 17% of the model year's 251 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › pads (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Stratus brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-244 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Sep 15, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Stratus brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 135,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury 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.