Model year record

1996 Dodge Stratus

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 776 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V021000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
2,315,768
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-13
Owners notified
2004-06-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V183000

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
685,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-06
Owners notified
1998-10-26

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Safety risk

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V201000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
599,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-13
Owners notified
1997-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Safety risk

SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V095000

Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
219,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-06
Owners notified
1997-07-14

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.

Safety risk

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V075000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
151,800
Reported to NHTSA
1996-05-03
Owners notified
1996-06-10

Defect description

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

Safety risk

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V074000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
90,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-05-02
Owners notified
1996-07-08

Defect description

CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Safety risk

IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V006000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
40,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-11
Owners notified
1996-04-22

Defect description

IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.

Safety risk

INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine22480,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline10150,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3863,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip23
Unknown or other18150,000 mi
Air bags: frontal14168,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1480,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1296,908 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1211,565 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components12
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor11
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1071,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder9110,000 mi
Suspension9116,000 mi
Suspension: front9
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood8
Steering: linkages8
Exterior lighting: headlights7
Service brakes, hydraulic780,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion7
Electrical system: ignition: module6
Power train: manual transmission6
Vehicle speed control6
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system6
Electrical system: ignition: switch5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum5
Steering5
Structure: body: door5
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm5136,778 mi
Electrical system460,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers4
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4
Power train411,565 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Structure: body: trunk lid4
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint4104,000 mi
Tires4
Air bags3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control3
Fuel system, gasoline3
Fuel system, other3
Interior lighting3
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3
Seats3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3123,521 mi
Suspension: front: control arm3
Suspension: front: wheel bearing3
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3
Visibility: windshield3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3
Wheels3167,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: starter assembly211,565 mi
Electrical system: wiring292,880 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash280,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)2
Equipment211,566 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery280,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2193,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2
Power train: driveline: differential unit2
Seat belts2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control278,035 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls258,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: horn160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Steering: column160,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection1
Structure1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: rear1132,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility/wiper1167,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Wheels: hub1
Wheels: rim1

The 1995 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.