1997 Dodge Stratus engine problems

171 complaints about engine have been filed for the 1997 Dodge Stratus, which is 38% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

Complaints: 171 38% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage: 70,000 miles 21 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires: 1 and 9
Injuries and deaths: 1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Based on 21 complaints that include mileage. 43% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.

View the numbers

Mileage	Complaints
0k to 20k miles	0
20k to 40k miles	2
40k to 60k miles	7
60k to 80k miles	6
80k to 100k miles	1
100k to 120k miles	3
120k to 140k miles	0
140k to 160k miles	2
160k to 180k miles	0
180k to 200k miles	0
200k+ miles	0

What the data shows

Of the 21 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 70,000 miles, and 43% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 9 fires, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

Battery light came on and stayed on while driving, the dealer was contacted and appointment was scheduled. While driving car 13 miles for repairs, 50-55 MPH, the engine light came, on and the engine caught on fire. Fire department came. The dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

July 1998 Fire

While driving oil leaked from the head gasket without warning. The consumer had to refill the vehicle with oil often.

Reported at 53,000 miles, February 2004

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Dodge models