NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 355 owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Stratus. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (155) and service brakes, hydraulic (38). The EPA rates it 21–27 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. SHE NOTICED OIL LEAKING AFTER THE CRASH. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT A NEW HEAD GASKET WAS NEEDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF”
“I HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE STRATUS IT'S ONLY A 1997 WITH 86,582. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 23,000 IN JANUARY OF 1999 FROM A CAR DEALER. I HAVE SPENT $2,335.30 IN REPAIRS IN 2002&2003 IN MAY & JUNE OF 2003 I SPENT $1,678.31 & $656.99 IN JULY 2002 STARTING WITH BRAKES BEING CONTAMIED ,WATER PUMP ,RADIATOR REPLACED,AND IT'S BEING DRIVEN LOCALLY NEVER BEEN OUT OF THIS STATE. I FEEL THIS IS A LEMON CAR BECAUSE OF THE MAJOR REPAIRS AND THE MILEAGE IS ONLY 74,153 WHEN I STARTED HAVING REPAIRS AND KEEP HAVING MAJOR REPAIRS TOTALLY $2,400 ONLY HAD IT 3 1/2 YRS. I FILED A REPORT WITH THE LEMON LAW IN WASHINGTON STATE.”
“HAVE CONTACTED DODGE/DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 DODGE STRATUS GOING OUT. HESITATION ON SHIFTING INTO GEAR, SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND BACK IN ON TURNS, TRANS LEAKS, SLIPPING INTO GEAR SUDDENLY AND JERKING THE CAR, AND SO ON. CAR HAS ONLY 66,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I GOT IT IN 2001 WHEN MY FATHER PASSED AWAY. IT HAD ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT THEN. A TRANS SHOULDN'T BE GOING OUT AT 50-60,000 MILES. IF DODGE HAS A BAD PRODUCT THEY SHOULD CORRECT IT THEMSELVES. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR A PROBLEM DODGE ALREADY KNOWS ABOUT AND ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT. I NEVER HAUL OR PULL ANYTHING AND I ONLY PUT 13,000 MILES ON IT IN FIVE YEARS. NOT HEAVY DRIVING. I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL AND DODGE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING OR PAY FOR REPAIR- JUST SAYING "IT'S PAST WARRANTY". I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR BUT I SHOULD HAVE A VEHICLE COMPANY THAT IS PROUD OF IT'S PRODUCT ENOUGH TO STAND BEHIND IT. I ONLY GET $867 A MONTH RETIREMENT AND I'M 60 YEARS OF AGE. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE MADE REPAIRS WHEN I FIRST CONTACTED THEM A YEAR AGO. THIS IS A DAILY PROBLEM AND GETTING WORSE. HUNDREDS OF FAILURES. I HAVE TO USE THE CAR FOR PET CARE SO…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stratus Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,300 | 329 |
| Stratus Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, (FFS), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Stratus Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, (FFS), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Stratus Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L, (FFS), VMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Stratus Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L, (FFS), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 355 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (155), service brakes, hydraulic (38), power train (36). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Dodge Stratus at 21–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).