Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Stratus, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling48
- Suspension31
- Power train21
- Air bags19
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Electrical system9
- Steering9
- Vehicle speed control8
- Structure7
- Unknown or other4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 11 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 7 2002 Stratus vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 6 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Dodge Stratus failed the safety check 4.40% of the time — 119% more often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 98,062 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2002 Dodge Stratus: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635719 | SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSAXLE THAT WILL NOT MOVE OR SLIPS IN REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. *TT |
| 635706 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SLIPPING OR NO DRIVE CONDITION IN REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. *TT |
| 635704 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SLIPPING OR NO DRIVE CONDITION IN REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. *TT |
| 634272 | FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC |
| 634090 | SUBJECT REGARDING FUEL CAP DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. *SLC |
| 634087 | SUBJECT REGARDING REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *SLC |
| 634082 | CHROME WHEEL CARE. *SLC |
| 634077 | SUBJECT REGARDING OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS REPLACEMENT. *SLC |
| 634066 | SUBJECT REGARDING STEERING COLUMN CLICK SOUND. *SLC |
| 633939 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE THE VINYL SURFACE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEING DAMAGED OR BLEMISHED. *SLC |
| 631779 | SUBJECT REGARDING REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY AND IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM CHANGES. *SLC |
| 629168 | RAPID RESPONSE TRANSMITAL REGARDING CONSOLE 12V POWER OUTLET INOPERATIVE. *TT |
| 629159 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT DOOR TRIM PANEL RETENTION/WARPED ALONG BELT LINE CONDITION. *TT |
| 629133 | SUBJECT REGARDING LOW OR NO CABIN HEAD, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM SYSTEM FILL PROCEDURE. *TT |
| 629131 | A VEHICLE MAY EXHIBIT LOW OR NO CABIN HEAT, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND / OR COOLANT BOTTLE DAMAGE AFTER SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. *TT |
| 628328 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FLICKERING TRIP COMPUTER AND/OR RADIO DISPLAY, INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, AND/OR OVERHEAD/DOME LIGHTS. *TT |
| 628198 | ON SOME VEHCLES, THE POWER SEAT HAS SLIGHT FORE/AFT MOVEMENT MOST NOTICEABLE DURING ACCELERATION OR BRAKING. *TT |
| 628186 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT MODERATE TO SEVERE HIGH WAY SPEED 45-60 MPH VEHICLE SURGE. *TT |
| 625650 | SUBJECT REGARDING OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 625620 | SUBJECT REGARDING SAFETY SYSTEMS - VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS / REPAIR. *TT |
| 625582 | EXPERIENCING HONK OR FOG HORN SOUND COMING FROM THE A/C EXPANSION VALVE. *TT |
| 623312 | INFORMATION REGARDING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RADIOS WILL HAVE A NEW LOCKING RADIO ANTENNA CONNECTOR. *SLC |
| 623172 | INFORMATION ON NEW POWER STEERING FLUID.*SLC |
| 621898 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ |
| 620936 | SUBJECT REGARDING WATER LEAK INFORMATION. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation