2003 Dodge Stratus: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 75 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Car was owned by school govement it has been worked on several times for bad suspension.and documented.ball joint bad suspension front and back.back dating 2 or 3 years.no accidents just bad suspension”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. While at an intersection, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle jerked and lost power without warning. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road. Once the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation. Also, when the vehicle struck a bump in the road, it veered to the right intermittently. An independent mechanic replaced the starter; however, the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,037. The VIN was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the vehicle's horn had no functionality and the vehicle speed control did not function. In addition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000. The VIN was not provided.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2017
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“Only had my 2003 dodge stratus for a few months and having major problems now. When I first got it, everything was in good condition but I still did maintenance work on it anyways. I barely drive my car because I'm a stay at home mom so I don't really put miles on my car. Now my car is suffering problems from within the engine. I was driving one evening and my car just stopped out of nowhere. I did a little research and then went to a mechanic and pretty much my engine is suffering. They also told me that 2.7 engines are very crappy and doesn't last long. I wish I would've knew that before I bought the car. These cars need to be recalled and made better. Now I'm out of a car. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2016
“The car one once moving and then I stop, and put foot on brake, put gear in reverse and give it a little gas, and the vehicle rocks and shakes, and I was park, and put my foot on brake, put the gear in reverse and gave it a litte gas and it rock and shakes. I did just have new spark plugs put on old plugs and wires, and a new fuel tank filler tube”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2016
“Ball joints and control arms recall. They failed as I was driving on the highway causing me to complete an almost 1,000 dollar repair for replacements.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v338000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. After starting the vehicle, it would shut off shortly after. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the wire harness and fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The wire harness from the fuel pump melted all the way down to the fuel tank while the vehicle was still running. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000. The VIN was not provided.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 2003 dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, another vehicle lost control and crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. The air bags deployed shattering the contact's sternum, which required medical attention. The driver and passenger of the other vehicle sustained lacerations to the face and a fractured leg which needed medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2015
“When replacing the Clock Spring I noticed the Airbag serial number matched numbers from other vehicles for recall but my vehicle was not listed in recall.Vin number [XXX] 2003 Dodge Stratus Sedan INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
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 2003 Dodge Stratus reliable?
NHTSA has 75 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Dodge Stratus. The most complained-about area is suspension (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Stratus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Dodge Stratus have open recalls?
6 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.