Reliability
Dodge

Stratus (2000)

2000 · Midsize Sedan · 3 engines
215 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
64 Fire Reports
16 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Dodge Stratus → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.5 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 60 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 122.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall60 complaints against about 122 for similar vehicles
8.5
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced8 complaints against about 27 for similar vehicles
9.2
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Engineering analysisEA05019
Power steering fluid fires · opened 2005, closed 2006

Complaints by Engine Code

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
143 complaints 143.0 per year Gasoline
52 fire reports
View details

Dodge Stratus Unidentified Engine

37 complaints 37.0 per year
6 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
8
interior
7
other
6
electrical
5
brakes
5

2.5-V6-Gas

2.5L 6-cyl
27 complaints 27.0 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl
7 complaints 7.0 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
3
engine
2
steering
1
fuel system
1
cooling
1

Same engine used in

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Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Stratus, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 66 owner complaints
Brakes: 30 owner complaints
Electrical System: 30 owner complaints
Fuel System: 24 owner complaints
Engine: 24 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000 Dodge Stratus

On a used 2000 Dodge Stratus, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (66), the brakes (30) and the electrical system (30). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 66 owner complaints on the 2000 Dodge Stratus about the steering.
  2. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2000 Dodge Stratus about the brakes.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2000 Dodge Stratus about the electrical system.
  4. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2000 Dodge Stratus about the fuel system, all engines combined.
  5. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2000 Dodge Stratus about the engine, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000 Dodge Stratus

Recalls (9)

10E059000Dec 27, 2010serious
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 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.

09E056000Oct 9, 2009serious
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 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.

09E043000Jul 7, 2009serious
Equipment

IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.

06E088000Oct 23, 2006serious
Fuel System

CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.

06V001000Jan 5, 2006serious
Steering

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.

Show 4 older recalls
00V366000Nov 9, 2000serious
Child Seat

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

00V196000Jul 17, 2000cosmetic
Service Brakes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE WELD BETWEEN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BLOCK AND THE STAND-OFF BRACKET.

00V067000Mar 2, 2000cosmetic
Fuel System

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH UNPAINTED FUEL TANK STRAPS.

00V066000Mar 2, 2000cosmetic
Equipment

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT CHILD LOCK INSTRUCTION LABELS.

All Generations

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus complaints?

Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus. The systems they name most often are the steering, the brakes and the electrical system.

Is the 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus have?

NHTSA has 215 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus?

NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Dodge Stratus?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the brakes and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Stratus have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Dodge Stratus. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 215 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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