KnownCarProblems2000 Dodge Stratus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 216 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Dodge Stratus, most often about the steering (31% of complaints, typically around 89,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Stratus model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2000 Dodge Stratus problems
Steering
66 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, linkages, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist system.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Stratus. He stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked the driveway. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that prior to the incident he noticed smoke coming from the engine. There is a recall for the hydraulic power assist (NHTSA campaign id # 06v001000). As…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Stratus. When the contact took the vehicle to the repair shop for a power steering leak, she was informed of recall # 06v001000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). She was advised to take the vehicle to the Dodge dealer to have the recall repair performed. When…
Brakes
30 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, supply, power assist.
I had my brakes replaced at 23000 miles and every 3 months since. They are only wearing on the driver's side the worst but wear on both sides. The dealer stated it was because they were metallic. The brakes are extremely noisy with squealing and grinding sounds. I have had them replaced and have spend over 3000 dollar…
I have had this car since oct. Of 2000 and about four months later, I was in an auto accident that was the other vehicle's fault. Ever since then my brakes have not worked properly I have taken it to the dealer 4-5 times for vehicle failure to not stop in enough time and pulsating. The first two times I took it to the…
Electrical
30 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn, ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
Ac blower motor would only work on high. Replaced the resistor 4 times. When I asked about at the dealers they said most likely the blower motor was bad. Replaced the blower motor and that seems to have fixed the problem for now.
Vehicle shut down. Consumer got out of the vehicle and saw there was a fire under the hood. Fire department arrived to put the fire out. Vehicle was totaled.
Engine
25 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2000 Dodge Stratus engine failure loss of oil to lifters due to timing chain tensioner loosing oil from machining "flash" from manufacturer of engine.
I don't know what happened the car caught on fire when I cut the car off. Nothing was done to correct the problem. Before the incident I had the car check for problem the computers at shop stated it was the 02 sensor.
Fuel system
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
The vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The consumer inspected the vehicle and found that the electrical connector on the fuel pump had shortage out. The consumer replaced the fuel pump. The old part is available for analysis.
The fuel filler neck on a 2000 Dodge Stratus broke away from the body. It was noticed while refueling and the gas was spilling onto the ground instead of going into the tank. That was in november and the car has not been fixed yet because the part has been backordered. I am not complaining because of the inconvenience…
Transmission
21 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly.
Driving at 35 MPH and stopping at a light a loud noise (clunk) was heard from the transmission area. "check engine" light eliminated. Returned to residence and vehicle would not shift out of first gear. Vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer informed me that one of the speed sensors had failed. Dealer recommended that both…
At any given time, one of my three brake lights is not working. There does not seem to be any reason as the same light that was previously not working will work while a different one will be out without any work being done on the car to try to remedy the problem. Some times, only one light is working or none of them…
Suspension
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
The consumer noticed a winding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. The consumer was able to drive it to the dealer. The mechanic informed the consumer that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. Please provide further information. .......
Have had this 2000 Dodge Stratus which daughter has driven for 5 years now it is on it's fourth transmission since purchasing and numerous other repairs, all soft plugs replaced, originals were made from pot metal, replaced with brass. Numerous alignment problems. But just last month daughter was driving and noticed a…
Visibility and wipers
10 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, windshield wiper/washer.
Our Dodge Stratus had 38,000 miles on it when the switch controlling the wiper blades/washer system failed while driving. The wipers and washer ran continuously. The wipers were stopped only by pulling the 30 amp fuse under the hood. The pump supplying washer fluid to the windshield could not be stopped at all even…
Blower/resister has been replaced 3 times and needs to be replaced once again. After a few months, the fan only works on high setting which is very annoying and inefficient. It was first replaced in 2004 and worked until recently when stopped working at the lower levels and was replaced in (2006) may, then august and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Dodge Stratus recalls
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high pressure power steering hose free of charge. The the recall began on april 10, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the high pressure power steering hose may prematurely heat age and develop a leak.
Child Seat
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Separation of the stand-off bracket from the block could cause fatigue damage of the right front brake tube and result in a half system brake loss.
Fix: Dealers will add a brake line bracket to the right front brake tube.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with an inadequate weld between the right front brake hose block and the stand-off bracket.
Equipment: labels
Risk: The incorrect labels could cause confusion as to whether the childproof safety lock was activated.
Fix: Owners will be provided with correct labels.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The affected vehicles were built with incorrect child lock instruction labels.
Fuel system: mounting
Risk: The paint provides corrosion protection necessary to ensure the straps do not loosen over time.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank straps.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The affected vehicles were built with unpainted fuel tank straps.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Power steering fluid fires
Summary
Odi has received 29 reports of engine compartment fires that appear to be related to power steering hose leakage in model year (my) 1999 and 2000 chrysler cirrus, dodge stratus and plymouth breeze vehicles (ja-cars) equipped with 2.4l engines.these reports indicate that the fire resulted from a power steering hose leak or that it occurred after an extended drive and shortly after being parked - conditions consistent with ignition of power steering fluid on a hot engine or exhaust surface during the vehicle hot soak period. On january 6, 2006, daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) notified NHTSA of a safety defect on my 1999 and 2000 ja-cars built from july 1, 1998 to july 31, 2000 and equipped w
Engine compartment fires
Summary
On june 29, 2005, odi opened preliminary evaluation pe05-036 to investigate complaints of engine compartment fires in model year (my) 1999-2000 chrysler cirrus, dodge stratus and plymouth breeze passenger cars (ja cars). The ja cars were introduced in my 1995 and ended with my 2000.they were produced with 2.0l, 2.4l and 2.5l engines.the incident data in the failure report summary of this resume are for subject vehicle engine compartment fires for all causes. According to daimlerchrysler, evidence collected from field inspections of fire incident vehicles indicate that fluid leakage from the high pressure power steering hose is the most likely cause of the fires in the subject vehicles.the su
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Summary
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
Questions about the 2000 Dodge Stratus
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Stratus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (66 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); brakes (30 complaints, typically around 22,000 miles); electrical (30 complaints, typically around 110,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Stratus have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 5, 2006 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Dodge Stratus?
- It is the most complained-about Stratus model year since 2000, with 216 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.