The 2005 Dodge Stratus has 6 safety recalls and 62 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (18 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints62filed by owners
Crashes · fires14 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints
2005 Dodge Stratus in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 15V338000 · Jun 2, 2015 · 443,442 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: 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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
NHTSA recall 10E059000 · Dec 27, 2010 · 22,689 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
NHTSA recall 09E056000 · Oct 9, 2009 · 5,787 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
NHTSA recall 07E023000 · Mar 29, 2007 · 13,128 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
NHTSA recall 04V579000 · Dec 9, 2004 · 26,354 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND CONVERTIBLE MODEL VEHICLES, THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE COMPONENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEERING KNUCKLE TO CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Seat belts › Rear/other
NHTSA recall 04V532000 · Nov 2, 2004 · 8,000 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN SEDANS, THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR OUTBOARD RETRACTOR AND TURNING LOOP BOLTS ON THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE AFFECTED FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2005 Dodge Stratus 2-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2005 Dodge Stratus 4-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Stratus
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Stratus 4 Door
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Stratus
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Stratus
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
Stratus
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
Stratus
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
Stratus 4 Door FFV
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Suspension Rear; Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
18
2
0
1
125,711 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system › Fan
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
3
0
0
0
33,350 mi
Structure Body
3
2
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control
2
0
1
0
—
Seats
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 27, 2022Engine Unknown the only thing that I can tell you for sure is that struts are bad Call was like this when I bought it
Jan 20, 2021 · 158,000 milesSeats SEATBELT SNAPPED OFF FROM CHEST RESTRAINT ON ONE SEAT, THE OTHER WAS LOCKING MECHANISM
Oct 8, 2018 · 73,083 milesService brakes GOT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND FROM DAY 1 WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY THE CAR IS ALMOST UNCONTROLABLE THE WHEEL PULLS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BAD SO I HAVE TO PUMP THEM AND THEN IT STILL PULLS AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES 4 TIMES TO MAKE SURE IT WASNT THE DISC AND ALSO REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE SHOP TOLD ME THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE CRACKING UP AND SO ITS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BE REPLACING SOMETHING THAT SHOULDNT BE MESSED UP MY CAR HAS LOW MILES IT STARTED MAKIMG CLUNKING NOISES WHEM GOING OVER A BUMP AND ANY TIME CAR IS MOVING IT IS SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FRPM FRONT OF CAR
Jul 30, 2018 · 150,000 milesSeat belts MY SEATBELTS FOR MY TWO WINDOW SEATS DON'T HAVE THE SAFETY LOCK FUNCTION. I WAS PUTTING MY SONS CAR SEAT IN MY CAR AND THE SEAT BELT WOULDN'T LOCK WHEN I PULLED IT ALL THE WAY OUT LIKE ITS SUPPOSED TO. I TRIED BOTH SIDES AND NEITHER OF THEM WORKED BUT BOTH MY FRONT SEATBELTS WORK.
May 3, 2018 · 180,500 milesElectrical system TAKATA THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN AS A RECALL ON A DODGE STRATUS AND TRIED TO REPORT IT AND WHOMEVER I BE TALKING TO IS IN DENIAL ABOUT THAT MY CAR IS SHOWING ME THE SIGNS THAT IT'S NEEDS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT'S A MALFUNCTION MY BALL JOINT IS BAD BECAUSE OF THE FRONT RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE HAS MESSED IT UP AND MY GAS GAUGE IS MESSED UP WITH THE ALARM AND TEMP CONTROL IS ALSO MESSED UP
Feb 4, 2016 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE DRIVER HAD A SEIZURE AFTER THE CRASH AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT IT WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE CONTACT'S ACCOUNT OF WHAT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. AFTER TEN DAYS, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE AFTER BEING TOWED TO A YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH MONTHS AFTER IT HAPPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT…
Dec 1, 2016 · 60,000 milesPower train 2005 DODGE STRATUS SEDAN 4 DOOR AUTOMATIC 2.7 W LESS THAN 60K MILES. REVERSE WENT OUT AFTER WHAT I THINK WAS A CLINKING SOUND NEAR THE FRONT. IT DRIVES NORMALLY, JUST DOES NOTHING IN REVERSE. IF THE CAR IS PARKED IT WILL ROLL BACKWARDS IF THE CAR IS ON A INCLINE. TRANSMISSION REBUILD IS MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. SO MANY DODGE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, THEY ARE LOSING MANY CUSTOMERS.
May 3, 2015Service brakes MY CAR IS PULLING TO RIGHT POPS EVERY TIME YOU MOVE CLICKES IN TURNING EVEN IN THE SLITES TURNING SHOCKS ARE BOTTOMING OUT EVERY TURN CANT GO OVER A SPEED BUMP WITH OUT IT HITTING HARD SCARED TO DRIVE MY KIDS IN IT PLEASE HELP HAPPENDS ALL TIME
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
