Model year record

1997 Dodge Stratus

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 451 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine11770,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3250,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2358,000 mi
Vehicle speed control19150,000 mi
Air bags: frontal18127,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip17
Unknown or other1569,963 mi
Electrical system10117,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1057,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood8122,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8
Air bags6100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor6
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint6123,960 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections5142,000 mi
Suspension5
Electrical system: ignition: module4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe477,747 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly4
Electrical system: wiring3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system395,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3
Exterior lighting: headlights3
Power train3
Steering390,000 mi
Structure: body: door3
Suspension: front3
Suspension: front: control arm3
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm366,622 mi
Electrical system: ignition2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Fuel system, gasoline2137 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Seat belts: rear/other280,183 mi
Seats2
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2
Structure: frame and members2
Tires2153,559 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core246,000 mi
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings150,000 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)150,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Seat belts1150,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats: mid/rear assembly1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic174,153 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump150,000 mi
Steering: linkages1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1128,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1105,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Wheels1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 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.