Dodge

Stratus (2000)

2000 · Midsize Sedan ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.9)
222 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
64 Fire Reports
16 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Dodge Stratus → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.5-V6-Gas

2.5L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.9)
27 complaints 27.0 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
7
suspension
6
brakes
6
engine
4
cooling
4

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (7 complaints)
Suspension Issues (6 complaints)
Brakes Issues (6 complaints)

Dodge Stratus Unidentified Engine

โŒ Avoid (1.6)
43 complaints 43.0 per year
6 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
8
interior
7
other
6
brakes
6
electrical
5

Known Issues

Steering Issues (8 complaints)
Interior Issues (7 complaints)
Brakes Issues (6 complaints)

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
143 complaints 143.0 per year Gasoline
52 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
55
brakes
19
fuel system
18
engine
17
cooling
16

Known Issues

Steering Issues (55 complaints)
Brakes Issues (19 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (18 complaints)
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.6)
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

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (3 complaints)
Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Steering Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

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3.3-V6-FlexFuel

3.3L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
View details

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Dodge Stratus regardless of engine variant.

Steering Issues (64 complaints)
steering critical
Brakes Issues (31 complaints)
brakes critical
Engine Issues (20 complaints)
engine critical
Fuel System Issues (18 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Cooling System Issues (17 complaints)
cooling critical

Recalls (9)

10E059000Dec 26, 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.

09E056000Sep 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 6, 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 22, 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.

06V001000Apr 30, 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.

00V196000Jul 16, 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.

00V366000Sep 10, 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.

00V067000Feb 2, 2000cosmetic
Fuel System

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

00V066000Feb 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 problems?

The 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus has accumulated 222 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Brakes, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Dodge Stratus engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

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

The 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 222 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

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

The 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus has 222 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus?

There are 9 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2000 Dodge Stratus vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Dodge Stratus?

Before buying a used Dodge Stratus, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Brakes, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or 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. 222 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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