MYRModel Year Report

1997 Dodge Stratus

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Dodge Stratus
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Stratus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1992: 1 complaints 1992 1995: 318 complaints 1996: 554 complaints 1996 1997: 349 complaints 1997 1998: 272 complaints 1998 1999: 251 complaints 2000: 216 complaints 2000 2001: 186 complaints 2002: 150 complaints 2002 2003: 75 complaints 2004: 144 complaints 2004 2005: 62 complaints 2006: 74 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2007
1997: 349 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19921
1995318
1996554
1997349
1998272
1999251
2000216
2001186
2002150
200375
2004144
200562
200674
20072

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 32%

32% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 113 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. WHILE DRIVING CAR 13 MILES FOR REPAIRS, 50-55 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME, ON AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980721

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 30 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 23 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT

NHTSA ODI report, 20020925

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH THE VEHICLE HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, HITTING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, AND THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970827

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER BEING SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970627

EITHER THE OIL LIGHT OR CRUISE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CAR LOSES ALL POWER. I HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD AND PUT CAR IN PARK TURN IT OFF AND SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST START RIGHT BACK AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 30 MINS FOR IT TO START BACK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130822

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 349
R 19970714 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

Campaign 97V095000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970929 — EA (closed 19971120)

LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE

R 19971215 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT I

Campaign 97V201000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981026 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDIT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

Campaign 98V183000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021106 — PE (closed 20030423)

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

I 20030717 — EA (closed 20040130)

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

R 20040614 — power train

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO AL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853

Campaign 04V021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061006 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLE

Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.

Campaign 06E088000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091109 — suspension

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINI

Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

Campaign 09E056000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110128 — suspension

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

Campaign 10E059000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Dodge Stratus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (113 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V095000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V201000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V183000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V021000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E088000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E056000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E059000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2005 ▲ 2003 ▲ 2006

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ◆ 1995 ◆ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Dodge Stratus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Dodge Stratus is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Stratus?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge Stratus have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.