Model year record

2006 Dodge Stratus recalls & problems

The 2006 Dodge Stratus has 3 safety recalls and 74 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (23 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints74filed by owners

Crashes · fires19 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

2006 Dodge Stratus in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SuspensionDec 27, 2010

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 10E05900022,689 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.

SuspensionOct 9, 2009

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 09E0560005,787 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, hydraulicMar 29, 2007

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 07E02300013,128 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.

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

2006 Dodge Stratus 4-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2006 Dodge Stratus NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

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 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 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*
SuspensionFront › Control arm; Rear	23	2	0	0	110,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	15	13	0	8	58,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control	14	0	0	0	44,000 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly	9	3	1	0	57,750 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel	8	0	0	0	41,000 mi
Engine	6	0	2	0	106,000 mi
Wheels	6	1	0	0	137,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	4	0	0	0	22,000 mi
StructureBody	4	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	2	0	1	27,427 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline	4	1	0	0	34,663 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	3	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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 passengerâs 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.
Jun 8, 2023 · 200,000 miles
Suspension
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. Iâve 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. Iâm gonna runoff the road or Iâm 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.
Mar 1, 2022
Suspension
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
Jan 1, 2020
Structure › Body
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!
Dec 1, 2019 · 101,000 miles
Steering
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.
Dec 24, 2019 · 135,000 miles
Power trainCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, WOULD NOT STOP, AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRASH THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT THEN QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WEEKLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (50 MAIN ST, BUTLER, OH 44822, (419) 883-2461). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO START THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD SEND A TECHNICIAN TO EXAMINE…
Sep 15, 2019 · 41,900 miles
Suspension
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
Jun 30, 2019 · 168,458 miles
Suspension
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.
May 15, 2019 · 28,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.