1999 Dodge Stratus: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 251 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (20% 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 251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving the vehicle I came to a stop to make a left hand turn and as I started without warning the vehicle stalled and lost power of steering wheel and brakes I almost hit another car. This wasn't the 1st time car has stalled while driving but the one where is came close to causing an accident”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2021
“I got this next site to do again email. Claim #11301605 and following up as to your next step. 3 recalls the dodge customer care people dont want to do or help me fix or conclude.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2020
“I was driving and hear a metal scraping noise from my front right side by the wheel when I turned left.before I got home the noise got extremely loud and constant.I took the tire off when I got home and found the ball joint was broken and was out of position cause a rubbing inside my tire rim.it looked like the arm of the ball joint had been burned through causing it to break.there seems to be a recall on some 1999 dodge stratus' ball joints but when I entered my VIN# mine did not come up.they shouldn't just break from normal use.it was on the highway when it happened driving normally then the noise started and I felt kind of a pop and almost lost control of the car.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering column. The contact also indicated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to the diagnose the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge stratus. While driving at various speeds, the contact noticed a burning rubber odor and shaking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger side wheel hub, wheel, tire, and brake drum were extremely hot. The contact independently changed both rear brake shoes, springs, and drums; however, the failure recurred. The contact independently diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge stratus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle began to rattle and felt loose. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and noticed that the ball joint on the control arm assembly had failed which caused the ball stud to wear through the control arm housing which resulted in the noise. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer had not yet been notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number:10e059000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2015
“While driving the vehicle I noticed a very loose sound coming from the lower left wheel. Especially when going over bumps. I took the vehicle to les schwab company for a lookover and found that it needed upper and lower ball joints replaced, a steel arm replaced, as well as an alignment. When researching recalls on my 1999 dodge stratus I noticed the problems I was/am having with the vehicle were noted in similar situations involving recalls of other stratus'. My car should be fixed and included in similar recalls. Thank you. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2014
“Hard to control steering of vehicle! Whenever I pass over a speed bump feels like whole car is going to come apart. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2014
“My horn goes off when turning the steering wheel, it started about 3 weeks ago, had the horn disconnected , have a new battery and it goes dead over night, my mechanic said it may be a short in the steering wheel by the air bag. I see other people with the same problem, how do I know that my air bag not going to explode and injury me. Should be a recall on this problem. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2014
“This is the second time this has happened. Lost all instrumentation: speed,fuel,rpm,etc,at 50mph. Just prior to this, the ABS light came on. The first fix included a new battery last year, three alternators until one worked (do not think this was the problem), and some kind of a harness which was rubbing on the engine? And creating a short. This problem could be the reason for all the car fires. Thank you. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 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 EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
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 1999 Dodge Stratus reliable?
NHTSA has 251 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Dodge Stratus. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Stratus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,500 miles or less.
Does the 1999 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.