KnownCarProblems2002 Dodge Stratus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 150 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Stratus, most often about the engine (34% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Stratus model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Dodge Stratus problems
Engine
51 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Dodge Stratus 2002 2.7 motor failure at 80,000 due to sludge build up caused by water leaking into motor, poor engine design and manufacturer should of advised that this car needed aggressive oil changes with synthetic oil not fossil fuel based oil. Stranded wife on highway on christmas eve. Dealership will not repair…
: the contact stated while traveling 55 MPH, the vehicle had an oil sludging problem, internal oil leaking and an increase of engine oil consumption by the engine. The manufacturer and dealership did not properly identify the problem and did not honor any warranty claims. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop who…
Suspension
31 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front, multiple axle.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact was pulling into a parking lot at approximately 10 MPH when he heard a loud noise outside the vehicle. The front control arm lower ball joint had fallen. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop but the vehicle had not been diagnosed when the complaint was filed.…
I have had the control arm replaced on this car twice on the same side within a two year period. Now I am having problems with the car it jerks when it gets up to 50 MPH.
Transmission
21 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The automatic transmission failed at 59,000 miles on my 2002 Dodge Stratus. The vehicle started to make a popping sound under the hood on the drivers side. The sound was intermittent for about 3 months. On september 22, 2005, the vehicle began to make a loud whistling sound and started to shift hard and/or delay…
Transmission solenoid leaking along with transmission hose lines. Solonoid was covered in warranty. Hose lines and clamps were not. Car had only 60k. Book specifies transmission service at 100k. I contend that the clamps used on the lines are not able to adjust to the aging hose and cannot last the recommended service…
Air bags
19 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I got in my car to drive home and as soon as I started the car and turned the wheel just a little, I hear a popping sound coming from the steering wheel. The light on the dashboard came on stating "air bag". I have already had problems with the ball joints I had to replace myself and other issues with this car. Now I…
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise from the dashboard as the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. In addition, the horn and the cruise control failed.…
Brakes
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
The brakes on my wifes 2002 Dodge Stratus had failed twice, brake pedal was at floor and car did not stop. Both times the road conditions were clear. Had dealership inspect and they found no problems with the brakes or with the master brake cylinder and gave the braking system a clean bill of health. The brakes have…
I took my Stratus into the dealership for its free oil change. While driving there my "brake" idiot light flickered on a few times when stopping. I asked the dealer to look into this. The dealer told me that the cause was excessive brake wear. At 26000 miles all 4 pads are shot and both front rotors are worn. Chrysler…
Steering
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion, linkages.
: the contact stated while driving 35mph on a winding road, curving right, the steering wheel jerked and the vehicle turned left. The brakes seemed stiff when applied. The vehicle hit a fence and the driver sustained severe injuries. The airbags did not deploy, although seat belts were worn. A police report was filed.…
The front tie rod ends are both defective on my 2002 Dodge Stratus. The car has only 53000 miles on the odometer, all of which were normal driving miles. I do not feel that this part should fail after such a short amount of time.
Electrical
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise from the dashboard as the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. In addition, the horn and the cruise control failed.…
The headlight continously blew out while driving. The dealershp replaced the light bulb, but could not identify what was causing the problem. The consumer took the head light assmembly apart and noticed that the wiring system had melted.
Speed control
8 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: cruise control.
: the contact stated four times since purchase, the vehicle revved out of control while stopped. The brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was shifted into neutral. The vehicle restarted and was taken to the dealership, who was unable to determine a problem. Updated 10/18/2006 - the irs time this happened the…
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise from the dashboard as the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. In addition, the horn and the cruise control failed.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Dodge Stratus recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began july 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Mmna will notify their owners, and chrysler will notify the chrysler and dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on july 20, 2015. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-15-005. Chrysler and dodge owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r30.
Full defect summary
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.
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
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 2002 Dodge Stratus
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Stratus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (51 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); suspension (31 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); transmission (21 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 3, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Dodge Stratus?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Stratus model year since 2000, with 150 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.