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 2002 Dodge Stratus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Grandaughter was returning home from college . Vehicle suddenly caught fire on highway between marble falls tex and burnet texas.. Her mother was following in another car and barely had time to rescue some of the personal items before entire car was engulfed in flames. Granddaughter barely escaped the vehicle without injury. She was able to get several pictures of the vehicle fire on her cell phone.. The fire begin either under the hood or under the front of the car and was completely engulfed in a matter of minutes.. Grandaughter and her mom was very distraught and terribly upset until fire dept from burnet arrived on the scene . They were called (911) by a passing motorist. The burned out vehicle was hauled in to burnet texas by advantage towing [phone]. We have never received a recall from Dodge about the possible fire hazards on this vehicle.
1st occurree was shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Engine light came on, needed new EGR valve. After full inspection of vehicle on a very bright day I found slices in side walls of two tires and the door panel drivers side was broken. Car brought to dealer, said to have ordered parts and replaced tires. Tires not replaced. Few weeks later, front tire blow out. Major ordeal with dealer and warranty company to be re-imbursed. Shortly after that car became very sluggish, check engine light came on and an odor or burning rubber was present. Brought vehicle to dealer was informed the soleinoid to transmission was cligged andwas replaced at my cost. Two weekes later the entire transmission went vehicle had 58,000 miles. Had vehicle towed to a dealer close by to have repairs completed, place of purchase dealer stated noone works on our vehicles. Car transported and transmission replaced. …
02/2005 - during normal commute hours, I noticed my transmission slipping during acceleration. Took it into the dealership (63,067 odometer), they said that the transmission cooler lines were leaking and both hoses needed to be replaced.( I park my car in the same spot at work and at home, and hadn't noticed any leakage) I was assured that although there were no spots, that should fix the problem along with a flush, clean, and conditioner. Unfortunately, those parts weren't covered under my extended warranty.($406.62 in repairs) nothing was listed or mentioned about any other parts that needed to be replaced. 11/2005 - on my way to work, the transmission starts slipping again and went out on me. This time I'm being told I need a front pump, valve body, and torque converter ($2,900 in repairs). …
Car hesitated to go into gear, next day, just driving down the road and it stops pulling. The transmission went completely out,right in the middle of an intersection!hauled it to a garage, the transmission is completely shot. Will cost $1200.00 to $1500.00 to replace. If someone was in heavy traffic when this happened this would be extremely dangerous! From what I have been reading this is a very common problem in these vehicles. It is a 2002 Dodge Stratus se.I will have to borrow the money to have it fixed, as so many people have from what I have read about these and many other Dodge vehicles.
The automatic transmission failed at 59,000 miles on my 2002 Dodge Stratus. The vehicle started to make a popping sound under the hood on the drivers side. The sound was intermittent for about 3 months. On September 22, 2005, the vehicle began to make a loud whistling sound and started to shift hard and/or delay shift. I took the vehicle to a repair shop and it was diagnosed with a hard part transmission failure. The total cost of repair was $2100.00 and the vehicle went out of warranty at 50,000 miles.
Engine light came on 9/15/04, took it to dealer on 9/16/04 and was informed the transmission was bad and needed replaced. My car at the time of faliure had 43,125 miles on and that is it, there was no prior warning or knowledge of the transmission going bad, I have had the car serviced just as the manual says to and there was no warning. The consequences of this is it cost me $1325 dollars to have the transmission re-built. The entire transmission had to be re-built.*a
Transmission solenoid leaking along with transmission hose lines. Solonoid was covered in warranty. Hose lines and clamps were not. Car had only 60K. Book specifies transmission service at 100K. I contend that the clamps used on the lines are not able to adjust to the aging hose and cannot last the recommended service time. Adjustable clamps were employed to correct the issue.
Consumer complained about a transmission problem. While stepping on the accelerator pedal transmission did not goe into gear. Consumer heard a whining sound, then vehicle popped, and went into gear. However, the whining sound did not not stop.
I brought car to dealership before warranty ended for transmission work. The said they fixed it but 17,000 miles later transmission went completely out. Dealer says it is now my problem to get fixed.
Noticed slight gear slippage travelling 35-45mph. All fluids checked, at proper levels. A week later, engine 'jerked' when coming to complete stop, check eng light illuminated. Progressively worsened. Once engine warmed up, started hearing a 'whirring' noise from lower-middle area of engine. Stopped @ local repair shop, they checked fluids and vac hoses, noise stopped, but noticed coolant in reservoir side 3/4 full & boiling, temp gauge on dash 'normal'. Next day, while cold, I checked coolant level in reservoir (left side) still full, (hadn't flowed back thru system once cool). I added water to 'fill line', checked condition of pressure cap (looked fine), placed & tightened, started engine, let run a few minutes, loosened 'air bleeder' on top of coolant bleeder hsng. Then I slowly shifted thru all gears, w/foot on brake, let air bleed til solid stream of liquid and shut car off. …
Transmission complaints in other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Dodge Stratus, 13% of the model year's 163 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Stratus transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2002 Dodge Stratus, though it has 2 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 2002 Dodge Stratus transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries 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.