1998 Dodge Stratus
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1995 | 318 |
| 1996 | 554 |
| 1997 | 349 |
| 1998 | 272 |
| 1999 | 251 |
| 2000 | 216 |
| 2001 | 186 |
| 2002 | 150 |
| 2003 | 75 |
| 2004 | 144 |
| 2005 | 62 |
| 2006 | 74 |
| 2007 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
45% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 122 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
FIRE INJURY22% of complaints: service brakes — 59 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE ABS AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM QUIT WORKING I GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND I HAD BREAKS BY THE TIME I GOT THREE OFF RAMPS LATER TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY I HAD NO BRAKES THEY DIDN'T WORK IN THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING AND ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI report, 20160427
9% of complaints: power train — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM PARK WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140618
Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing lower ball joint and front.
7% of complaints: steering — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and hose, piping, and connections.
CRASH FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE
Campaign 99V244000 — check if this car was fixed
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
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
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
IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTE
Remedy: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPO
Campaign 09E043000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
1998 Dodge Stratus — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (122 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (59 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (24 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V183000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V244000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V021000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E088000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E043000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E056000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E059000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Dodge Stratus is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge Stratus?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Stratus have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.