1997 Dodge Stratus: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 349 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (42% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 349 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Notice a smell from under the hood while driving open the hood fire put the fire out notice power hose had leak in it I feel dodge should be held accountable for this malfunction”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2020
“Either the oil light or cruise light will come on and car loses all power. I have to pull off road and put car in park turn it off and sometimes it will just start right back and sometimes I have to wait for about 30 mins for it to start back. I have only had the car since march of 2013 and it has done this 10-12 times since then. I almost got rear ended a few times cause with no power it is hard to get car off the road. I have contacted dodge but there is no recall for this problem yet. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2013
“Tire had a bulge at the bead line. Had a slow leak and was out of balance. I returned the tire to firestone. They showed me that the tire was missing rubber at along the tire bead and was not repairable. The tire was replaced at no charge. *kb”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the fuel filler hose was loose and would not keep fuel in the vehicle. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 168,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge stratus. The power steering high pressure hose was leaking into the engine. The 2.4 liter engine had a leak directly above the exhaust system. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was called and informed him that there were no recalls or warranties for the failure. The failure mileage was 147,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2010
“Car was sitting front of my daughter's house and it caught fire under the hood on the driver's side. Car was totally destroyed. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2010
“Loss of power and stalling. While on hills it has no power on me shuts off on me every week. Said that I had to pay for fixing that dodge dealer isn't responsible for charges. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge stratus. While driving approximately 45-50 mph on normal road conditions, the cruise control was activated. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the cruise control failed to deactivate. He made several attempts to disengage the cruise control mechanism, but was unsuccessful. The gear shifter was placed into neutral and the vehicle suddenly began to slow down; however, the engine revved highly. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure occurred whenever the cruise control was activated and the vehicle was in motion. The failure mileage was 150,000 and current mileage was 175,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge stratus. The contact noticed that the rear passenger side seat belt did not properly retract. The dealer stated that the seat belt mechanism bolts needed to be replaced at the contact's expense because there was no recall. He attempted to locate the parts at various junk yards and noticed that every vehicle with the same year, make, and model had the same failed component. As of august 28, 2008, the vehicle has not been repaired. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 150,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2008
“Power steering hoses developed holes through the whole hose massive fluid loss now power steering pump has froze and the car only has 67 thousand miles for 97 year 95 % of miles highway also a/c compressor and a/c dash switch both non working with fully charged compressor and all relays and fuses replaced. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 28 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.
How other years compare
Check your exact Stratus by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Dodge Stratus reliable?
NHTSA has 349 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Dodge Stratus. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Stratus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 97,500 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Dodge Stratus have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.