2003 Dodge Stratus
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.
- Complaints
- 75
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Suspension
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
24% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 75 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.
Suspension
24% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing rear and lower ball joint.
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…
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-27
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, 2019-11-13
Also filed under Engine
Air bags
20% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
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, 2016-01-28
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, 2015-07-20
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, 2023-09-08
Electrical system
13% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing horn and interior/under dash.
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, 2003-05-04
Also filed under Power train
Vehicle speed control
11% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control.
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-10-14
Service brakes
9% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
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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I
2002-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-23 Safety belt cinching latch plate
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R
2003-12-15Fuel system, gasoline03V443000 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…
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.…
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R
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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R
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Dodge Stratus — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Suspension: 18 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 15 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 03V443000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E056000 · Suspension
- Recall 10E059000 · Suspension
- Recall 15V338000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
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 suspension, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 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.