Model year record

1998 Dodge Stratus

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 334 owner complaints on file.

Dodge Stratus, 1995–2000 generation
Pictured: the 1995–2000 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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 99V244000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
366,508
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-15
Owners notified
1999-11-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.

Safety risk

DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine7762,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2169,310 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1445,343 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components14—
Air bags: frontal1365,240 mi
Engine and engine cooling1353,465 mi
Unknown or other10—
Power train: automatic transmission988,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc8—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe542,000 mi
Power train550,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift570,000 mi
Steering5120,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly575,628 mi
Suspension574,000 mi
Air bags4—
Electrical system45,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Service brakes, hydraulic455,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Suspension: front4—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint478,000 mi
Vehicle speed control4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys3—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner398,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads397,526 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3104,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition262,900 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2120,000 mi
Engine2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2—
Seat belts2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections2112,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint278,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Child seat1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1170,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Exterior lighting: headlights160,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline1189,432 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1124,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel/propulsion system15,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: driveline1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper197,526 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing175,628 mi
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Wheels1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Dodge Stratus model years

All Dodge Stratus recalls by year

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.