2004 Dodge Stratus problems
The 2004 Dodge Stratus has 196 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (19%) concerns suspension. Next are engine (12%) and electrical system (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 196 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 27 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 18 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 61,000 miles 152 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 | 25 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 31 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 17 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 22 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 14 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 22 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 10 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 152 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 61,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (32 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 27 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 18 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Dodge Stratus with enough data (121 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 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.
Driving on a 35 MPH road going across the cross road got hit by a truck doing about 70 MPH. Hit on the passenger side front bumper to the back edge truck f the front passenger tire. Put into a spin then was hit in the rear passenger tire and bumper. No air bags came out with massive trauma to both myself as driver and my passenger. Police, ambulance and doctors asked why the air bags did not expand. If the air bags would of worked less injuries would of happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge stratus. The contact started the vehicle and placed it into drive. There was an unusual increase in engine rpms and the vehicle immediately accelerated to speeds of 40 MPH without warning. The contact attempted to brake, but the brakes would not engage. The consumer hit two pedestrians as well as another vehicle. The vehicle continued accelerating and the contact engaged the emergency brake. He continued to depress the brake pedal and maneuvered the vehicle over a curb.
Driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into school bus head on. Upon impact, driver's side air bag deployed, but driver's side seat belt retractor bracket broke. The seat belt failed to restrain the driver, causing eye and back injuries, and driver was transported by helicopter to the hospital. Vehicle was towed, and totaled by the insurance company.
Pressure build-up in the gas tank caused the fuel pump ass'y seal to blow out and gas to pour out on the ground as well as fumes in the vehicle. I had also smelled gas on the 23rd when I first had filled it up on the day of purchase.
At 28,000 miles the airbag light came on. The dealer said it was a seat belt retractor. They replaced it. I have had the air bag light come on every few months. They have replaced seat belt components and messed with the connectors. I have had it in 5 times now.