1997 Dodge Stratus problems
The 1997 Dodge Stratus has 451 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (38%) concerns engine. Next are brakes (11%) and electrical system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 451 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 38% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 34 and 44
- Injuries and deaths
- 29 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 57 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 10 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 57 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 80,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (21 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 34 complaints mention a crash; 44 complaints mention a fire; 29 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 81% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Dodge Stratus with enough data (309 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
When vehicle was involved in a crash with 3 other vehicles, traveling about 10 MPH, the shoulder belt did not restrain the driver, and there was no deployment of the driver's side or passenger's side air bags. Most damage done to the driver's side and the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle is being repaired.
Upon being struck in the left front wheel well, near the battery, my car bursted into flames. The vehicle continued to travel another 200 feet desipite various methods of application of the brakes. I then deployed the emergency brake. The vehicle didn't stop until the power cut off and the finally died.
Vehicle overheated. Mechanic determined that engine head gasket was the cause of the overheating problem. Oil was leaking through the seals.
Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as mentioned in recall 97v201000 concerning left control arm. Consumer heard a clicking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. Took vehicle to the dealer. However, the dealer did not want to do the repairs at their expense.