2006 Dodge Stratus: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 74 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (22% 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 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that she parked and inspected the vehicle and became aware of the control arm on the ground, the tire pushed away from the vehicle, and bolts and screws on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2023
“The entire front suspension feels as though it is going to fall outward at any moment. I have had this inspected by two separate dodge dealerships. I've also had this inspected by friends that are mechanics. I also have knowledge and I know something is not right with the control arms tire rods, ball joints. The front suspension is horrible. I worry every day. I'm gonna runoff the road or I'm gonna hit someone or something bad is gonna happen. Upon doing my research, I saw many other Dodge Stratus vehicles that were recalled for the same exact reason. My question is why was my car left out of the recall when clearly it has major safety issues.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2022
“Vehicle was in motion on street way when lower control arm on driver side broke where ball joint is..lucky no one was in front of me or around me while driving could of caused a serious wreck..had to call tow truck to tow it back to my house”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving like normal, then when I went up the ramp onto the the shopping center, the right wheel all of a sudden hit the passenger wheel well and the rim was hitting the brake caliper. It was in motion, on a city street.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2019
“I was driving doing about 25 mph. Thank god I wasn't driving any faster when all of sudden. I heard a loud noise. I had lost control of the steering I ran in to a guard rail my car didn't want to go because the right passenger front side was totally touching the ground I got out the car seen my entire front passenger tire was off the car. I then started crying. I just bought this car in july 2019 98,000 original miles. Bad purchase decision!”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2019
“When driving home the 2006 dodge stratus sxt sedan as mentioned broke on me and my family into a store parking lot where the entire wheel came off the car leaving me and my family stranded luckily we weren't on the hwy driving hwy speeds or im sure me and my family wouldn't probably be living here today. I went online to check we're there any recalls on this vehicle and it came back as ball joint assembly which is the cause of the damage to my vehicle”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2019
“I was driving home went to go turn left and there was a loud noise. I stopped the car look at the front and the ball joint on my front passenger side snapped, this exact problem is on the recall list but my car isnt on their.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2019
“Recall ball joints and lower control arms tired of replacing tires and I looked it up there was 0 recalls assisted on my car”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2017
“Hi! My son was driving my 2006 dodge stratus and the control arm broke and the axle separated on the passenger side causing it to hit a parked car. We have a police report that documents the axle separation and pictures are available. I noticed online that this had been a problem with the 2006 dodge stratus so I checked for recalls but our VIN was not part of the recall (10e059000). My husband went to the dealership who sold me the car and he called dodge customer service but apparently there was nothing that can be done. My car can not be repaired. In the past the car's front end had been repaired a number of times and it was due for an inspection this month.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge stratus. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle shook and a noise could be heard coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 147,000.”Owner report · Traction Control System · Mar 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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 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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 2006 Dodge Stratus reliable?
NHTSA has 74 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Dodge Stratus. The most complained-about area is suspension (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Stratus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,500 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Dodge Stratus have open recalls?
3 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.