NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 2003 Dodge Stratus.
| Trim | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6 cyl Automatic (S4) | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,000 |
| 2.4L 4 cyl Automatic 4-spd | 19 | 26 | 21 | $2,850 |
| 2.4L 4 cyl Automatic 4-spd | 19 | 26 | 21 | $2,850 |
| 3.0L 6 cyl Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,000 |
| 2.4L 4 cyl Manual 5-spd | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,500 |
| 2.4L 4 cyl Manual 5-spd | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,500 |
| 3.0L 6 cyl Manual 5-spd | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,850 |
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
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. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The problem is not with the tire itself, but with the lug nuts holding the tire on the car. In the past year I have had at least six lug nuts fail. I have had a rash of flat tires, mostly related to nails. In attempting to remove the tires to put on the spare, the chrome caps on the nuts have come off. In the first incident, I was able to strip the cover off the internal nut by hand. In attempting to remove the internal nut, the softer metal was stripped. I was forced to drive on a flat tire home to try and remove the rest of the nut. I had to call a tow truck to haul my car into the shop where they had to cut off the nut. I can document this and three other occasions of the lug nuts being stripped when trying to remove a bad tire. I can document an occasion when the shop replaced two faulty nuts when repairing one of my tires. In the most recent occasion, I was able to remove the tire. However, when handling the lug nuts the chrome cap came off in my hand. I am able to strip these caps and nuts by hand using an "X" lug wrench, which I had to buy because the wrench that came with the vehicle twisted out of shape while trying to remove the lug nuts. The shop is aware of this problem, and they keep putting these defective lug nuts back on. At my age, it is inconceivable that I would be able to strip these caps and lug nugs by hand. I have the documents, I can get you pictures, but I am not a computer whiz and am currently having problems getting my printer to link up with my PC to download files to send. I will have a family member copy this information and email it to me so I can attempt to send it to you with your reply.
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
The 2003 Dodge Stratus has 6 NHTSA recalls and 91 consumer complaints on file. It received an overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
Enter a specific VIN to get the full report — specs, recalls, safety ratings, complaints, investigations, and technical service bulletins.
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.
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
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 RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
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.
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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 JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Consequence: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
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 INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE STARTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,037. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN HAD NO FUNCTIONALITY AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND I HEARD A KIND OF SNAP AND THEN I FELT AND HEARD A GRINDING IN MY STEERING WHEEL. FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHENEVER I HAD TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS THIS NOISE LIST A SPRING WAS CAUGHT AND ALMOST WOULD GET CAUGHT AND I WOULD HAVE TO QUICKLY JERK THE STEERING WHEEL SO IT WOULDN'T GET STUCK AND KEEP ME FROM TURNING. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, SO IT WON,T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND I LOST FUNCTION OF MY SPEED CONTROL. I WAS TOLD THIS IS MY CLOCKSPRING. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WAS RECALLED IN MANY DODGE VEHICLES BUT HAS YET TO BE RECALLED IN MY VEHICLE. SEE SAFETY RECALL NO. B24 (11/01/2002) FOR 1998 DODGE VEHICLES BUT DODGE CONTINUED TO USE THESE FAULTY CLOCKSPRINGS THAT IN FACT SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. *TR
ONLY HAD MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS FOR A FEW MONTHS AND HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS NOW. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT, EVERYTHING WAS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT I STILL DID MAINTENANCE WORK ON IT ANYWAYS. I BARELY DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I'M A STAY AT HOME MOM SO I DON'T REALLY PUT MILES ON MY CAR. NOW MY CAR IS SUFFERING PROBLEMS FROM WITHIN THE ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ONE EVENING AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND THEN WENT TO A MECHANIC AND PRETTY MUCH MY ENGINE IS SUFFERING. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT 2.7 ENGINES ARE VERY CRAPPY AND DOESN'T LAST LONG. I WISH I WOULD'VE KNEW THAT BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND MADE BETTER. NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR. *TR
THE CAR ONE ONCE MOVING AND THEN I STOP, AND PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, PUT GEAR IN REVERSE AND GIVE IT A LITTLE GAS, AND THE VEHICLE ROCKS AND SHAKES, AND I WAS PARK, AND PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE AND GAVE IT A LITTE GAS AND IT ROCK AND SHAKES. I DID JUST HAVE NEW SPARK PLUGS PUT ON OLD PLUGS AND WIRES, AND A NEW FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE
SAME DASH WARPING PROBLEM AS MANY OTHERS. I SUSPECT THIS IT IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN WHAT YOU SEE HERE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE WARPING COULD AFFECT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD FROM DRIVER'S SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS FROM THE FRONT WHERE IT MEETS THE WINDSHIELD TO WHERE IT WRAPS OVER AND CONNECTS TO ENTIRE PANEL FACING THE FRONT SEATS IS WARPING AND PULLING AWAY FROM EVERYTHING IT IS SUPPOSE TO HELP HOLD INTO PLACE. IT IS NOW RISING ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. IF THIS AIR BAG DEPLOYS IT WILL DEFINITELY EITHER THROW THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD OR MASSIVE PIECES OF IT DIRECTLY TOWARD THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER (SINCE THE WARPING HAS DISLODGED IT FROM EVERYTHING) OR IT WILL DEPLOY AND THE WARPED DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO BE THROWN UP TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD, SUN VISOR SUPPORT & NEW TETHER STRAP WHICH COULD CAUSE EVEN MORE ISSUES. THE WARPING HAS ALSO STARTED TO AFFECT EVERY COVER IT CONNECTS TO ON THE DASH, PULLING & PUSHING THEM LOOSE. THESE ITEMS CAN NOW ALSO BE THROWN THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH. I HAVE ONLY OWNED MY VEHICLE 6 MONTHS, THE SUMMER HEAT HAS NOT EVEN ARRIVED. AT THE RATE IT IS WARPING, I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL PROBABLY BE A MINIMUM OF 2 INCHES ABOVE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WITHIN THE NEXT 3 MONTHS. PLEASE HELP US STAY SAFE AND RECALL THESE DASHBOARDS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. ACCIDENTS ARE BAD ENOUGH, WE NEED TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL INJURIES AND PROBLEMS THAT THESE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARDS ARE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO CAUSE.
BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS RECALL. THEY FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO COMPLETE AN ALMOST 1,000 DOLLAR REPAIR FOR REPLACEMENTS.
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. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SHATTERING THE CONTACT'S STERNUM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE AND A FRACTURED LEG WHICH NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE PROTRUDED AND SEPARATED CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO BE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,300.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS COUPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Showing 15 of 91 complaints