MYRModel Year Report

2003 Dodge Stratus

▲ Better than typical
2003 Dodge Stratus
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:14:05.078Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Stratus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1992: 1 complaints 1992 1995: 318 complaints 1996: 554 complaints 1996 1997: 349 complaints 1998: 272 complaints 1998 1999: 251 complaints 2000: 216 complaints 2000 2001: 186 complaints 2002: 150 complaints 2002 2003: 75 complaints 2003 2004: 144 complaints 2004 2005: 62 complaints 2006: 74 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2007
2003: 75 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19921
1995318
1996554
1997349
1998272
1999251
2000216
2001186
2002150
200375
2004144
200562
200674
20072

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 15%

15% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160128

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150720

When replacing the Clock Spring I noticed the Airbag serial number matched numbers from other vehicles for recall but my vehicle was not listed in recall.Vin number [XXX] 2003 Dodge Stratus Sedan INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF...

NHTSA ODI report, 20230908

SUSPENSION 9%

9% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I HAVE HAD TWO {2} RECENT EVENTS, WHERE THE CAR KEEPS TRYING TO GO FORWARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE AUTO. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE AUTO. LAST NIGHT 10/13/05 IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20051014

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 6 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

Car was owned by school govement it has been worked on several times for bad suspension.and documented.ball joint bad suspension front and back.back dating 2 or 3 years.no accidents just bad suspension

NHTSA ODI report, 20231027

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191113

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS SXT SEDAN 2.4L. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAPPENED TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS RUSTING ON THE AXLES & BRAKES TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030504

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20021106 — PE (closed 20030423)

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

R 20031215 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OW

Campaign 03V443000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070402 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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

R 20091109 — suspension

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

R 20110128 — suspension

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

R 20150720 — air bags

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Dodge Stratus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V443000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2005 ▲ 2006 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ◆ 1997 ◆ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Dodge Stratus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Dodge Stratus is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Stratus?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Stratus have?

6 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.