Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While investigating a minor two vehicle traffic crash involving the above mentioned vehicle, I noticed that both front air bags had deployed. The driver had sustained swelling and abrasions to his hands and forearms from the airbags, and the front seat passenger complained of soreness in the shoulders. No medical treatment was called for. Upon examining the damage to the vehicle that they were riding in, I saw that the only damage from the crash was to the right front corner. A vehicle that was traveling to the right of them and slightly ahead of them attempted to make a left hand turn. The left side of that vehicle (Chevy trailblazer) struck the right front fender of the Dodge Stratus, as it turned (sideswiped). The damage to the Stratus did not seen severe enough to warrant an air bag deployment, and there was no direct frontal impact between the two vehicles. Pictures are available.
I was driving doing about 25 MPH. Thank god I wasn't driving any faster when all of sudden. I heard a loud noise. I had lost control of the steering I ran in to a guard rail my car didn't want to go because the right passenger front side was totally touching the ground I got out the car seen my entire front passenger tire was off the car. I then started crying. I just bought this car in July 2019 98,000 original miles. Bad purchase decision!
A truck made an illegal lane change and he hit me on the front drivers side and damaged my light, hood, windshield, the computer, and other things under the hood. The impact was very strong and none of the air bags deployed.
2.7 liter engine should be recalled and replaced because? 1. The internal water pump which have been known to wear out prematurely and destroy the engine regardless how well the owner maintains vehicle. 2. Subframe and rear suspension crossmember should be replace due to rotting out prematurely. 3 Gloss on paint prone to pealing.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. While driving approximately 25-30 MPH on normal road conditions, the vehicle came to a complete stop and was unexpectedly rear-ended. The trunk sustained severe damage due to the massive impact. The rear spoiler detached from the trunk and went through the rear glass. There were no injuries. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The police was called to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 37,000. Updated 12/30/08. Updated 01/05/09.
The entire dashboard from driver's side to passenger side as well as from the front where it meets the windshield to where it wraps over and connects to entire panel facing the front seats is warping and pulling away from everything it is suppose to help hold into place. It is now rising above the passenger air bag compartment. If this air bag deploys it will definitely either throw the entire dashboard or massive pieces of it directly toward the passenger and driver (since the warping has dislodged it from everything) or it will deploy and the warped dashboard could cause the air bag to be thrown up toward the windshield, sun visor support & new tether strap which could cause even more issues. The warping has also started to affect every cover it connects to on the dash, pulling & pushing them loose. These items can now also be thrown throughout the vehicle in a crash. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that the dashboard of the vehicle protruded and separated causing the air bag to be exposed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,300.
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.
Related recalls (2)
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Through degradation of the bond between the silencer pad and a sheet metal panel (quarter inner upper), the pad May fall onto the map light located in the rear seating area near the c-pillar trim panel (lh and rh).
Remedy: Dealers will remove the insulation pad from behind both rear map lights.
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Stratus years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (21), 2003 (15), 1996 (13), 2002 (11) and 2004 (11) model years. Body complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Dodge Stratus body problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 00V-278 (underbody shields, Sep 18, 2000); 97V-095 (hinge and attachments, Jun 6, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Stratus body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (21 mentions), followed by the body › door (14).
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.