KnownCarProblems2003 Dodge Stratus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Stratus, most often about the air bags (20% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is 5th of 8 Stratus model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Dodge Stratus problems
Air bags
15 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
1. I took my car to have the oil changed. 2. Engine light came on & was reset. 3. Fuel pump needs replacing. I only have 57k miles and there is a recall on other models (03v443000). I also have the airbag light on which is identified as the clockspring and has also been recalled in other similar models. Neither of…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Stratus. The vehicle veered off the road and rolled over. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained multiple injuries. As a result of the injuries she did not have full recollection of the incident and could not provide any details of the accident or the damage to the vehicle. A…
Suspension
15 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Stratus. Within a period of 4 years, the ball joints and lower control arm were replaced a total of 3 times. Recently, she was advised the ball joints and lower control arm would need to be replaced a 4th time. The manufacturer was contacted and advised they would not assist due to high…
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the failure had occurred once before on the front passenger side. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the bolt joint was…
Electrical
10 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Turned into a parking spotand heard something pop in steering wheel area. Now the air bag light is staying on, horn does not work and cruise control not working.I have not repaired the problem at this time.
While turning left vehicle stalled. Dealer stated the computer system malfunctioned. As a result, the check engine lights came on and the trunk popped open.
Engine
10 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Was stopped at a traffic light and the car "chugged" and then stalled. It restarted immediately and I passed through traffic. This has happened about 8-10 since it's first occurrence. Last occurrence was in a drive-thru waiting for service and the car "sputtered" and then stalled. It took several attempts to get the…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Stratus. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that abnormal sludge in the engine caused the failure. The…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.
Was stopped at a traffic light and the car "chugged" and then stalled. It restarted immediately and I passed through traffic. This has happened about 8-10 since it's first occurrence. Last occurrence was in a drive-thru waiting for service and the car "sputtered" and then stalled. It took several attempts to get the…
2003 Dodge Stratus fuel gauge dial continues to shift to empty once fuel is placed in gas tank, showing empty only after a refill of gas. Do not know when have fuel in car. There is a recall on the fuel injector, but attempts to reach chrysler is improbable.
Speed control
8 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
Turned into a parking spotand heard something pop in steering wheel area. Now the air bag light is staying on, horn does not work and cruise control not working.I have not repaired the problem at this time.
I have had two {2} recent events, where the car keeps trying to go forward while attempting to park the auto. First occurrence was about 8 months ago and caused severe damage to the auto. Last night 10/13/05 it happened again without any damage.
Brakes
7 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: disc, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Dt: the consumer took vehicle to a dealership and repair shop several times for a squeaking noise that came from the left driver's side by the wheel. The source of the squeaking noise was unknown. The engine, a caliber to the steering wheel, air conditioning, brakes, and the flywheel were replaced. There is a still a…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Stratus. While driving at an unknown speed, the brakes failed in the contact's vehicle. He had to pump the brake pedal twice to stop the vehicle, but by then he had rear ended the preceding vehicle. He was not injured badly, but is very sore. A police report was filed. The front end of the…
Steering
7 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: linkages, column, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist.
Reported noise in front end of 2002 Dodge Stratus, dealer found no problem. While driving vehicle down the highway the left lower ball joint failed and vehicle lost sterring abilty and power ability. When wheel came loose it damaged the left front fender and the half shaft. Vehicle was disabled. Vehicle only has…
Dt: the consumer took vehicle to a dealership and repair shop several times for a squeaking noise that came from the left driver's side by the wheel. The source of the squeaking noise was unknown. The engine, a caliber to the steering wheel, air conditioning, brakes, and the flywheel were replaced. There is a still a…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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: 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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump pressure. Those vehicles exhibiting higher than normal fuel pump pressure will receive fuel pump modifications. Owner notification began on december 15, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump may be restricted, causing excessive fuel pressure to build up in the fuel injection system. Excessive fuel pressure may result in a leak in the fuel return hose.
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 2003 Dodge Stratus
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Stratus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (15 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); suspension (15 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Stratus have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2015 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Dodge Stratus?
- It is 5th of 8 Stratus model years by number of complaints, with 75 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.