Model year record

1998 Dodge Stratus

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

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.