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
- 150
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 2002
Opened by NHTSA
32% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 150 complaints
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.
Engine and engine cooling
32% · 48 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Show 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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-06
Suspension
23% · 35 reportsMost commonly citing rear and lower ball joint.
Power train
14% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.
Air bags
13% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show 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, 2003-08-25
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, 2002-06-27
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic and vehicle speed control
Service brakes
8% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-23 Safety belt cinching latch plate
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2007-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic07E023000 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…
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.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
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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.
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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.
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2015-07-20Air bags15V338000 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.
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2016-09-01Air bags16V401000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Dodge Stratus — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 48 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 35 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 21 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E056000 · Suspension
- Recall 10E059000 · Suspension
- Recall 15V338000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V401000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.