MYRModel Year Report

1997 Dodge Stratus

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Dodge Stratus
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
349
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

49% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 1 complaint 1992 1995: 318 complaints 1996: 554 complaints 1997: 349 complaints 1997 349 1998: 272 complaints 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
1992: 1 complaint 1992 1995: 318 complaints 1995 1996: 554 complaints 1996 1997: 349 complaints 1997 349 1998: 272 complaints 1998 1999: 251 complaints 1999 2000: 216 complaints 2000 2001: 186 complaints 2001 2002: 150 complaints 2002 2003: 75 complaints 2003 2004: 144 complaints 2004 2005: 62 complaints 2005 2006: 74 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2007
1992: 1 complaint 1992 1995: 318 complaints 1995 1996: 554 complaints 1996 1997: 349 complaints 1997 349 1998: 272 complaints 1998 1999: 251 complaints 1999 2000: 216 complaints 2000 2001: 186 complaints 2001 2002: 150 complaints 2002 2003: 75 complaints 2003 2004: 144 complaints 2004 2005: 62 complaints 2005 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

49% · 171 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 1998-07-21

Service brakes

14% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

11% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

FIRE

Electrical system

9% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Takata recall, horn don`t work, millage don`t work ,gas light comes on and neddle moves up and down alot

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-04

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)

Air bags

7% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-25

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, 1997-08-27

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 349 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1997-07-14Structure97V095000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1997-09-29Engineering analysisClosed 1997-11-20 Lower control arm ball joint failure
  4. R
    1997-12-15Suspension97V201000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1998-10-26Power train98V183000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2002-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-23 Safety belt cinching latch plate
  7. I
    2003-07-17Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-30 Auto trans ignition-park interlock
  8. R
    2004-06-14Power train04V021000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2006-10-06Fuel system, gasoline06E088000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-11-09Suspension09E056000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2011-01-28Suspension10E059000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Dodge Stratus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 171 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 48 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 37 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V095000 · Structure
  • Recall 97V201000 · Suspension
  • Recall 98V183000 · Power train
  • Recall 04V021000 · Power train
  • Recall 06E088000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E056000 · Suspension
  • Recall 10E059000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge Stratus have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.