Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Approximately 30 minutes later, while coming to a complete stop, the contact noticed that her vehicle was on fire. All the passengers exited the vehicle without injuries. The entire front end of the vehicle was completely destroyed. Both a fire and a police report were filed. The dealer stated that the fire May have been due to a recall and would forward the information to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the fire was not due to NHTSA campaign id number 06V001000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). The contact later entered her VIN into the Dodge website and discovered that her VIN was included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 95,000.
Dt*: the contact stated on July 26, 2006, while at a red light, the vehicle started smoking from all of the vents resulting in the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames. The fire department came and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was deemed totaled. The fire originated from under the hood. Prior to the incident, power steering fluid had to be added to the vehicle every two-three weeks. A recall was found on the internet, NHTSA campaign id # 06V001000; steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and and connections the same day as the incident. The dealership was made aware of the incident. The contact just received a recall letter from the manufacturer on 8-8-06, NHTSA campaign id # 06v0010000; regarding the steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and and connections.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. On September 12, 2007, the contact received a recall notice regarding the high power steering hole failure that her vehicle was experiencing. She stated that the vehicle caught fire on April 6, 2005. The fire originated under the hood of the vehicle while the contact was still inside. The contact stated that the power steering fluid leaked and caused the fire. She was referred to a repair shop and brought in the vehicle for repair. The contact believed that the repair shop never repaired the vehicle. A police report was filed and she has the repair invoices. The vehicle is presently not in her possession. The recall number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 148,946.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. The vehicle caught fire while parked in a parking lot. The vehicle was smoking approximately one month before the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and both a police and fire report were filed. The dealer stated that the smoke was due to power steering fluid entering the engine. There were two safety recalls on the vehicle: NHTSA campaign id number's 04V021000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift), which was previously performed on the vehicle and 06V001000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections), which was scheduled to be repaired. The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.
Dt*: the contact stated a NHTSA recall letter # 06V001000 regarding the steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections was received. The vehicle was repaired under the recall. Soon after, the vehicle caught on fire and was towed back to the contact's residence were it was later examined by an inspector sent by the insurance agency. Upon examination the inspector determined that the fire was cause by a direct result of a malfunction in the power steering hose that allowed steering fluid 2 be sprayed onto the hot exhaust system. The contact spoke to the dealer who determined it was not their problem. Updated 12/15/2006 -
Tl* - the contact stated that while 1999 Dodge Stratus was sitting in a parking lot it caught on fire. The contact stated that prior to the vehicle catching fire nothing was wrong with her vehicle. The weather was fine, and the car was immobile at the time of the incident. The contact stated that the fire department broke into the hood of the car to find the origin of the fire. The contact received recall notice 06V001000. The contact stated that she has pictures ,and could get a report from the fire department. The contact has been offered no resolution from the dealership concerning this matter.
Tl* - the contact stated that his 1999 Dodge Stratus caught on fire and was destroyed. The contact does not know many details regarding the fire. He learned about the fire approximately 1 month after the incident, which occurred in August. The vehicle had approximately 100,000 miles at the time of the failure. The only details the contact knows is that the vehicle was being driven, when the driver saw smoke coming from under the hood. The driver then pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle caught fire. The contact received recall letter e23 & c45 after the vehicle was totaled.
While I was parallel parking my passenger saw heavy white smoke after I turned my steering wheel sharply. My steering wheel locked also. My passenger and I got out of the car and called 911. I believe I turned the ignition off before getting out. The smoke started on the front passenger side and flames were seen under the front of the car. The fire department came and put out the fire. Everything under the hood was burned and the car was a total loss. Afterwards the car (interior and exterior) smelled like burnt power steering fluid. I filed a claim with my insurance company.
Car has not been on the road for over a year and 1/2 non-op. Realized power steering failed. Replaced power steering pump. Realized there was a recall on the power steering hose. Took to dealership. There they noticed there was fire damaged. Now Chrysler is saying they are not responsible for fire damage because it was not replaced sooner. As I stated they car has not run for over 1 1/2 years. The dealership will not replace hose without authorization from Chrysler. We will be responsible for fire damage but you should still replace hose. It was a recall.
I bought my 1999 Dodge Stratus 2.4l in September 2006 from the original owner with 145,000 miles. In May 2007, I had the valve covers and cam sensor wiring replaced due to oil leakage and rotted wiring (unrelated to one another). The car seemed to slowly leak power steering fluid but the mechanic was unable to identify a problem. On 7/29/2007 after a 50 mile drive, the car caught fire under the hood in front of the driver's passenger compartment after being parked for a short time. The vehicle is a total loss.
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the high pressure power steering hose May prematurely heat age and develop a leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high pressure power steering hose free of charge. The the recall began on April 10, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Steering complaints in other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Dodge Stratus, 20% of the model year's 251 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Stratus steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-001 (hose, piping, and connections, Jan 5, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Stratus steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 26 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.