Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My windshield cracked on the passenger side of my Dodge Stratus I was told by the company that replaced my windshield that all the Dodge car hes seen with this problem where water will get in the top of the windshield and I well rust from the inside out this would be a safety issue on the road to the driver/passenger safety up to pedestrians on the road also if the air bags where to deploy it could cause the windshield to detach from the car I have photo of the car rust under the windshield I don't have pitches of the windshield.
The windows do not work and this problem keeps happening even after it was fixed, it wasn't the motor, switches or anything else, the wiring is bad somewhere and it went back out after the warranty expired. I hope this is a recall so something can get done and stay done.
I bought my Dodge Stratus in feb. Of 2004, it is a 2003. Since then it has been in the shop 5 times due to the motor in the window going out, the air conditioning going out, the cruise control went out, the cd player is not functioning correctly and now the safety feature (air bag system) is failing as well. I have owned other cars in the past with higher miles than this vehicle and I never had the problems that I am having with this one. I am upset with this vehicle. I feel that buying a newer car with low miles should leave the buyer feeling happy and safe with their decision. However, I am neither happy with this vehicle and I do not feel safe in this vehicle knowing now that there is something wrong with my air bag system. The service department has fixed most of the problems so far (they are unable to get the air bag system looked for a few days...so much for safety matters!). …
The dash in my car shortly after I bought it stated coming apart. It has completely separated from the defroster. In addition, all of the vent covers, ect. No longer are secure. The entire dash and components are in horrible condition.. I called the dealer and they said it was not covered in the warranty which was bumper to bumper. In`addition my defroster is horrible. When you have it in floor mode it blows on the windshield and it fogs up constantly. The electrical componets go crazy every once in a while, no power to the car ect. Have to turn car on and off and few times and then it will be fine. One of my wipers came loose and I have to keep a wrench in my car at all time is case I need to tighten it in the middle of a rain storm. It will fall right off and the metal will be dragging across my window.
Plastic cover over driver door that controls the windows cracked and broke off causing the buttons to drop inside the door cavity. Went to dealer to get replacement part, told I had to order entire door cover as replacement for approx $800. Now the driver door will not close and latch shut. Attempted to move plastic part that would lock onto metal door frame, no luck. Unable to drive car if door will not close.
Acorn nuts securing aluminum windshield wiper arms to their splines loosen up. Spline holes in wiper arms "strip",causing loss of wiper function. Wiper motor and linkage appear to function normally. No apparent use of locking devices (lock washer, loctite, etc.) to keep nuts tight.
I was driving my 2001 Dodge Stratus on the interstate. I was going approximately 70 MPH with no other vehicles around me. I heard what sounded like a shotgun blast coming from the rear seat. I looked back and reliazed my right rear window had exploded. I went to the dealership were I had purchased the vehicle two weeks before to see if they could explain what happened. I was told that the car creates a vaccum and that was what caused the window to explode. If this is the case I think something needs to be done about this issue. Lucky for us there was nobody in the back seat.
Light in rearvirew mirror stopped working. Next day, while car was parked in a garage, the interior components of rearview mirror heated up to such an extreme temperature that the plastic casing actually melted and dripped onto the console below, melting that as well. When I returned to my vehicle it reeked of a burnt smell and was hazy on the interior. The mirror no longer dims and seems to have melted also, as the mirror now looks as if I were looking through ice. I am now weary about driving the vehicle because I am afraid it could catch fire.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Stratus years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (13), 1999 (10), 1996 (7), 2000 (5) and 2001 (5) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Dodge Stratus window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for any Dodge Stratus model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Dodge Stratus window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 112,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (14 mentions), followed by the windshield (12).
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.