1998 Dodge Stratus: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 272 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (44% 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 272 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The ABS and the braking system quit working I got on the freeway and I had breaks by the time I got three off ramps later to get off the freeway I had no brakes they didn't work in the pedal went all the way to the floor causing and accident”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2016
“Having issues with dash and headlight dimming,also radio goes off and looses memory,door locks won't work when radio goes off. Burnt out defogger relay and power amp fuse with no power amp, also had to replace horn relay yet taking all those relays out and problem still happens. Already checked lighter assembly, that was popping amp fuse. Fixed that still happening. Also goes through 1 quart of oil a month but no leaks under the car when moved. ?????? Help!!!!!! The oil problem should fall under hazardous meterials act if all these cars are dumping used oil all over this country.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge stratus. While performing an oil change, the contact noticed that the lower ball joint and control arms were rusted. The contact stated that the lower ball joints and control arms were replaced four months ago. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the gear shifted from park without the key in the ignition. The contact also stated that the key became stuck in the ignition. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 04v02100 (power train), however, the vehicle was not affected at the time and no repairs were done. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when it ignitied into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire and a fire report was filed. The fire department concluded that the fire originated from the high pressure power steering hose. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 06v001000 (steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections) dealt with the 1999-2002 dodge stratus and not the 1998 even thought the failure was caused for the same reason. The failure mileage was 175,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2011
“1998 dodge stratus right front tire blew out while pulling into a toll booth lane. *kb ohio traffic crash report # 10-0765-90. *jb”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2009
“My name is [xxx] . This complaint is for the car allowance rebate system. I feel that my car is eligible for the clunkers for cash program. It is a clunker, it is 11 years old. But because the mpg is 22 I was told I don't qualify. Why haven't it been made a little easier for those that own old vehicles period? I feel this isn't done fairly and it could be changed. This will be break for those who can't afford to upgrade to better cars. Those that are low income workers. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2009
“1998 2.7 v-6 engine in dodge stratus vehicle. Oil light came on and then the engine quit running. When attempting to obtain information on cost of repairs, I was told by many individuals that this engine has failed in this same manner for all of the vehicles. The oil was changed every 3000-5000 miles, more often that suggested by the owners manual. The owners manual states to change it every 7500 miles or 6 months which every comes first. Most of the repair places that I spoke to said that this engine should have been recalled due to this failure. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2008
“Well I have had to replace my oil pressure sensor about 6 times already, it seems like I replace it ever 6 months or so, it has been leaking out of the electrical end of the sensor but never leaks out of the threaded end that goes into the block, it almost caused me to blow up my motor that last time it happened, it is just becoming a huge hassle there has to be some defect in the part, because it doesn't matter which parts store I go too they all end up leaking. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2008
“Car was leaking power steering fluid so we kept on adding more until we could save enough money to get the problem fixed(around $350.00, no small fee for a working family!)then, the smoking got worse until one day it just caught on fire! I couldn't put it out with an extinguisher, the fire department had to put it out and now the car is totaled! Can we still get a recall? *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.
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.
IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.
Remedy: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.
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 1998 Dodge Stratus reliable?
NHTSA has 272 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Dodge Stratus. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (44% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Stratus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,314 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Dodge Stratus have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. 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.