Most common 2000 Dodge Stratus problems
Share of the 216 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 →
2000 Dodge Stratus recalls (5)
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.
Child seat
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles May have been built with an inadequate weld between the right front brake hose block and the stand-off bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will add a brake line bracket to the right front brake tube.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The affected vehicles were built with incorrect child lock instruction labels.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with correct labels.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The affected vehicles were built with unpainted fuel tank straps.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank straps.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2000 Dodge Stratus:
Engine compartment fires
On June 29, 2005, odi opened preliminary evaluation pe05-036 to investigate complaints of engine compartment fires in model year (my) 1999-2000 Chrysler cirrus, Dodge stratus and Plymouth breeze passenger cars (ja cars). The ja cars were introduced in my 1995 and ended with my 2000.they were produced with 2.0l, 2.4l and 2.5l engines.the incident data in the failure report summary of this resume are for subject…
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.
Power steering fluid fires
Odi has received 29 reports of engine compartment fires that appear to be related to power steering hose leakage in model year (my) 1999 and 2000 Chrysler cirrus, Dodge stratus and Plymouth breeze vehicles (ja-cars) equipped with 2.4l engines.these reports indicate that the fire resulted from a power steering hose leak or that it occurred after an extended drive and shortly after being parked - conditions consistent…
What 2000 Dodge Stratus owners say
Steering all 66 →
I was driving down highway 2 headed east and I needed to pull over and get some gas. I noticed that my steering was making the sound that it makes when you might be low on fluid. I pulled into an armor station that was self serve pay at the pump only. The first one did not work so I started my car again and pulled up to the second pump. I noticed smoke was coming out from under my hood. I got out and it started to shoot out flames. I panicked as I was trying to get my 2 year old son out of the car. The doors auto lock when you take off and hit 10 MPH. Two gentlemen came whipping in the station and helped me. His son called 911 and he got in my car to move it away from the pumps. He could only move it 5 feet because it was so hot in the car from the flames. The sheriff showed up and slammed into the back end of my car and moved it away from the pumps maybe 20 feet now. …
I have had this car since oct. Of 2000 and about four months later, I was in an auto accident that was the other vehicle's fault. Ever since then my brakes have not worked properly I have taken it to the dealer 4-5 times for vehicle failure to not stop in enough time and pulsating. The first two times I took it to the dealer they claimed the couldn't find anything even with a test drive. The third time they claimed my brakes were bad and replaced the brakes and not the rotors. After that the pulsating was not as noticeable for a few weeks then it was back to the way it was before. I had the dealer check them one or two more times and again they said nothing was wrong. Shortly after that I had a small fender bender due to brakes not stopping my vehicle properly. …
Brakes all 30 →
I have had this car since oct. Of 2000 and about four months later, I was in an auto accident that was the other vehicle's fault. Ever since then my brakes have not worked properly I have taken it to the dealer 4-5 times for vehicle failure to not stop in enough time and pulsating. The first two times I took it to the dealer they claimed the couldn't find anything even with a test drive. The third time they claimed my brakes were bad and replaced the brakes and not the rotors. After that the pulsating was not as noticeable for a few weeks then it was back to the way it was before. I had the dealer check them one or two more times and again they said nothing was wrong. Shortly after that I had a small fender bender due to brakes not stopping my vehicle properly. …
I have my automobile routinely maintained, every 6-8 months, (oil, tune up,...)oil sludge baking in engine block-cylinder at 50,000 and again 114000. Corrosion build up & gunk in cylinder block, coils & spark plug corrosion causing bad-strong order in automobile and sputtering, poor emission. Transmission slips from time to time at 25,000 and now again at 114000, with leaks which we can smell very strong in automobile. Excessive brake lockage while attempting to break in normal-average speed of 25 miles. Constantly having to have the breaks repair although I have life warranty on breaks. Repairer states its the automobile. Safety belt does not always latch properly and has unlatched all by itself while im driving with my son, (6 yrs old). Drivers belt also unlatches from time to time. While driving I notice the car tens to sway to the right. …
Electrical system all 30 →
Dt*: the contact stated while exiting the interstate white smoke came from under the hood and engine compartment. Although the temperature gauge remained at a normal level the smoke persisted and the contact continued to drive home. Once pulled over the hood was opened and flames shot out of the engine. The contact closed the hood. The fire department came, but the closed hood already extinguished the fire. A fire report was taken, but did not identify a source of ignition. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer did not replace the engine, but repaired the parts of the engine that were damaged by the fire. Over a year later, under the same driving conditions, the contact noticed white smoke coming from the seam of the hood and fender. The contact immediately pulled over and called the fire department. …
My Dodge Stratus 2000, 65,071 mileage, caught fire in the engine compartment. Everything under the hood "melted." the fire did not reach the inside compartment of the car. The firefighters were speedy at putting out the fire. There was smoke coming out from under the hood after about 10 min. Of driving. And a burning smell which I thought was engine oil. I took it to a Dodge dealer for repair. They replaced the transmission pan, the valve cover gasket, spark plugs and belts. The car continued to smoke and, as I told my husband, I thought there was like sooty ashes being deposited on top of the hood. I assumed it was burning off the old oil that had spilled on the engine. After two days of driving I called the Dodge dealer in the morning when I confirmed that the car was still leaking transmission fluid and oil and still smoking. They said to bring it back on Monday. …
2000 Dodge Stratus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Dodge Stratus a good car?
Based on 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Stratus rates average: about 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 2000 Dodge Stratus?
The steering — 66 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections. Next are the brakes (30) and electrical system (30).
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Stratus have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2000 Dodge Stratus, the most recent from January 5, 2006 (hose, piping, and connections). 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 2000 Dodge Stratus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 89,000 miles; 16% 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.