2002 Dodge Stratus
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.
32% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
HAD PARKED VEHICLE. NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT CALLED AND ARRIVED TO PUT OUT FLAMES. CAUSE OF FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BY FIRE DEPT. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20031006
23% of complaints: suspension — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and lower ball joint.
CRASH14% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.
FIRE13% of complaints: air bags — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A CITATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE CONSUMER BY THE POLICE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030825
BRAKES FAILED WHILE APPLYED AT 55 MPH, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES EJECTING THE PASSENGER AND INJURING THE DRIVER CRITICALLY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020627
Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
8% of complaints: service brakes — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — 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
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V338000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available.
Campaign 16V401000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Dodge Stratus — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (48 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (35 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E056000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E059000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V338000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V401000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Dodge Stratus is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Stratus?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.