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
28% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 77 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 14 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 13 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE FIRST DAY THAT CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE HOME HE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS BACKING UP AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. A SECOND TIME, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN A TRUCK STOPPED IN FRONT OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 19980218
5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file.
FIRESAFETY 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 (77 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (14 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:engine, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 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.