KnownCarProblems2005 Dodge Stratus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge Stratus, most often about the engine (31% of complaints, typically around 72,500 miles). It is 7th of 8 Stratus model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Dodge Stratus problems
Engine
19 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that a vehicle two vehicle lengths before him, caused him to slam on the brakes. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The front of his hood was jammed under the rear of the other vehicle. A passerby informed him that his vehicle was on…
My 2005 Dodge Stratus has a problem with the crankshaft that keeps moving, which is causing the crank seal to pop out, so it causes oil to start pouring out. I took it to my local Dodge dealer, and they said I need a new engine. I had also took it to local mechanics more then once to try to fix this problem, but the…
Suspension
18 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 121,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Stratus. While driving at 30 MPH, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the upper ball joints and the lower control arm assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the aftermarket upper…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 MPH, attempted to make a left turn when he suddenly heard a loud clunk underneath the vehicle. The contact stopped and noticed that the front passenger side tire sheared and the lower ball joint had fractured. The vehicle was…
Steering
13 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 111,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, column.
My daughter was driving through a parking lot and the car suddenly stopped. She got out and looked at the front and discovered the both front wheels were turned out in opposite directions. The tie rod had broke and came apart. This could have been disastrous at highway speeds. I was able to fix it at home, but as a…
This car is a death trap. I have lost control of the steering many times it seems to be worse in any curve. I must drive it under the speed limit at least 5 miles to safely keep it on the road. I am terrified everyday in this car. When using the brakes the whole car shakes violently an does not stop well even at low…
Air bags
9 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
My 2005 Dodge Stratus was in an accident on 4/14/06. The car that hit my car was going 55 MPH hit my car from the back. My car was going 45 MPH and from that hit was propel into the car in front of it and the car in front of me hit the car in front of it. My car was assessment was determine total. The question by the…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that there were no air bags and no horn in her vehicle. In addition, the cruise control and fuel gauge were not working. She also noticed the ignition (where the key is inserted) was smoking. The dealer performed a diagnostic and the contact was informed that…
Brakes
6 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 123,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Stratus. The contact was traveling 35 MPH when a preceding vehicle abruptly stopped 100 feet ahead of him. The contact depressed the brakes hard but the driver side wheel locked and the remaining three wheels did not respond. The contact crashed into the vehicle as a result. A police…
This car is a death trap. I have lost control of the steering many times it seems to be worse in any curve. I must drive it under the speed limit at least 5 miles to safely keep it on the road. I am terrified everyday in this car. When using the brakes the whole car shakes violently an does not stop well even at low…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
One day I went to back out, I turned the wheel and hear this crunching, clunking sound which sounded like a huge rock scrapping on metal. I immediately stopped and walked around the car and saw nothing. It started again as soon as I started the car back up. Anytime I turn the steering wheel, I heard this sound. I took…
While I was driving the front driver side wheel broke off it was the control arm I have had it fixed. A couple of months after that incident I had the front passenger side tire also do the same. I got it fixed. Now my back driver side wheel is tilting in like it wants to break off. Since noticing this I have not…
Electrical
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: ignition, horn, instrument cluster/panel.
In late july, I was parked in my 2005 Dodge Stratus rt 2 door coupe with the car still running. I adjusted my steering wheel which in turn caused the car to turn off. Every time I raised my steering wheel, my car would turn off. It didn't matter if the car was moving or not, the car would turn off (the key would stay…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that there were no air bags and no horn in her vehicle. In addition, the cruise control and fuel gauge were not working. She also noticed the ignition (where the key is inserted) was smoking. The dealer performed a diagnostic and the contact was informed that…
Transmission
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Sometime around the middle of march 2008, after starting my car I exited to retrieve something from the trunk when I noticed that there was a loud clicking noise coming from the engine. After close inspection I was unable to detect where the sound was coming from. I eventually took it to pep boys and they informed me…
This issue has happened to my 2005 Dodge Stratus 3 times, already. I have a manual transmission and approximately, every 22,000 to 24,000 miles my clutch wears out. The warranty on the part of course only lasts 12,000 miles. The first time it cost me over $1,600 for parts and labor just to have the clutch replaced at…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 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.
Steering: arm
Risk: This could cause the steering knuckle to crack and separate from the upper control arm, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the right steering knuckle. The recall began on december 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain sedans and convertible model vehicles, the right steering knuckle may have been damaged during the component manufacturing process.
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the affected fasteners. The recall began on november 15, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain sedans, the left and right rear outboard retractor and turning loop bolts on the seat belts may not have been properly tightened.
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.
Questions about the 2005 Dodge Stratus
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Stratus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (19 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles); suspension (18 complaints, typically around 121,500 miles); steering (13 complaints, typically around 111,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Stratus have?
- 3 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 2005 a bad year for the Dodge Stratus?
- It is 7th of 8 Stratus model years by number of complaints, with 62 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.