Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Dodge Stratus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After driving my vehicle a short distance to the local store, I parked my vehicle and entered the store. Approximately. 15 minutes later the tag number of vehicle was announced over the intercom system, stating that the owner need to report to the parking lot immediately. I went to the parking lot to find that my vehicle was on fire under the hood. The fire department was called and was extinguishing the flames before I was able to get to my car. The fire department had broken the driver's door window to gain access to the hood release. The entire engine had appeared to be burned. The car was towed to rallye Dodge in ocala florida where it was determined by our insurance company that it was a total loss. Dominick, one of the mechanics at rallye Dodge said that there was no way of determining the cause of the fire and the car could be repaired at a cost of approx. $5000. …
Tl* - the contact stated that while parked with the engine off and the ignition in the on position and playing the radio when smoke was coming from the hood. The contact stated that the fire department was called , and they extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle wa sinoperable and that fire department informed her that the fire was caused by faulty wiring. The contact stated that the last week of September 2006 the vehicle was leaking oil from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to dealer, and was told there was a leak under the hood. The contact couldn't remember what they said was leaking nor did she know exactly what caused the fire. The contact stated that she received a recall 06V001000. Updated 02/22/07.
I owned until last night a 2000 Dodge Stratus, well now I am another fire victim I guess. Car was parked had ignition in the aux position to listen to music while I was cleaning up our storage area. Got into car to start it up and boom. First heard a pop followed by immediate engulfing fire under hood engine compartment. Whole thing burnt to the ground in less than five minutes. I have pictures if you need them. Thanks terri
Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Stratus. While driving 2 MPH, the contact heard a noise coming from the engine. She parked the vehicle and noticed flames coming from the engine. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated that the engine backfired and was the cause of the fire. The current and failure mileages were 123,243.
Drove car approximately 10 miles to store. Was in parking lot, pulling into a parking space, noticed smoke from under hood. Woman in lot stopped and told me my car was on fire. Backed out of parking spot to center of aisle. Car fully engulfed in flames within minutes. Cause of fire not yet determined.
2000 Dodge Stratus engine fire. After parking the car in the driveway, I began to smell and see smoke coming from the engine of the car. Determining that it was on fire, I backed it out of the driveway (luckily the driveway was sloped) to get it a way from the house.
On 10/22/2003 vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil leak. Dealer replaced the head gasket. On 10/26/2003, while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire, and determined that fire started in the engine.
My son drove my car a short distance and parked it at a restaurant. He was informed within minutes that the car was on fire and the fire dept. Extinquished an engine compatment fire. The car was a total loss. Happened in akron ohio approx. Nov. 2011.
I don't know what happened the car caught on fire when I cut the car off. Nothing was done to correct the problem. Before the incident I had the car check for problem the computers at shop stated it was the 02 sensor.
While I was driving my vehicle caught fire twice within one year. First in 3/13/2003 then in 4/2004 both times fire dept was dispatched. The vehicle was repaired by the insurance company and reported to Chrysler.
NHTSA investigations
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…
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…
Engine complaints in other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Dodge Stratus, 12% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Stratus engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Dodge Stratus, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Stratus engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 10 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.