Problems · NHTSA complaints
1999 Dodge Stratus problems
Owners filed 298 complaints about the 1999 Dodge Stratus with NHTSA between Feb 1999 and Jul 2021. The most-cited component is engine and engine cooling (68).
Complaints
298
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
25
Reported by owners
Fires
61
Reported by owners
Injuries
18
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine and engine cooling68
- Steering53
- Service brakes, hydraulic40
- Power train39
- Electrical system38
- Suspension32
- Equipment14
- Visibility11
- Air bags11
- Vehicle speed control10
- Fuel system, gasoline8
- Seat belts8
- Service brakes5
- Structure5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
13
15
40
32
30
40
33
22
37
11
5
1
4
0
2
3
6
0
0
1
0
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 13 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 40 |
| 2002 | 32 |
| 2003 | 30 |
| 2004 | 40 |
| 2005 | 33 |
| 2006 | 22 |
| 2007 | 37 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine and engine cooling
68 reports8 fires
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE PARKED AT A STORE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD CAUGHT FIRE. THE PUERTO RICO POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 200835803237. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE HER INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND FORWARD THEM THE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.”
Steering
53 reports1 crash26 fires1 related recall
“I GOT THIS NEXT SITE TO DO AGAIN EMAIL. CLAIM #11301605 AND FOLLOWING UP AS TO YOUR NEXT STEP. 3 RECALLS THE DODGE CUSTOMER CARE PEOPLE DONT WANT TO DO OR HELP ME FIX OR CONCLUDE.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
40 reports3 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“WHEEL BEARINGS WEARING OUT, ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYING ON, BRAKE PADS BEING REPLACED ALOT, WEARING OUT TIRES ON THE FRONT (NEW TIRES) IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, BRAKE CALIPER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED REPEATEDLY, BALL JOINTS WEARING OUT, UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF FAILURES, LOSS OF USE OF VEHICLE DUE TO THAT FACT. *TR”
Power train
39 reports3 crashes3 fires1 related recall
“I BOUGHT A CAR IN JAN 2020 WHICH HAS BEEN SITTING A FEW/COUPLE YEARS AND I FOUND 3 RECALLS ON IT. 1999 DODGE STRATUS 2.4. I EMAILED U S CUSTOMER CARE/ DODGE CUSTOMER CARE AND GOT MAIL BACK STATING YES ON 3 RECALLS AND A DEALER IN RENO NV TO CALL. I CALLED AND SERVICE AND PARTS DEPT SAID YES ON RECALLS. BRING IT IN TO CHECK AND ADVISE TO FIX. GOT MUTIL MAILS FROM CUSTOMER CARE STATING THEY HAD CAR UNDER LAST OWNER AND I TOLD THEM I WAS NEW OWNER. NEXT MAIL WAS, CLAIM/S ARE CLOSED. I ASKED WHY NOW 3 TIMES AND NO ANSWER EXCEPT A TAKE SURVEY. NO SERVICE OR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR OTHER THEN TO FIND OUT THERE WAS 3 RECALLS AND NOW CUSTOMER CARE DOESNT WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS CAR. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW ONE DAY THERE IS AND THE NEXT DAY CLAIM CLOSED. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I AM A NEW OWNER. ONE RECALL IS FOR A FIX POWER STEERING HOSE SO CAR WONT CATCH FIRE. I AM HAVE GOT NOWHERE WITH ALL MY TRIES TO GET CAR RECALLS FIXED. ACCORDING TO WEB SITES THE 3 RECALLS ARE LISTED AS INCOMPLETE STILL TO DATE. MEANING NOT TAKEN CARE OF TO MY UNDERSTANDING.”
Electrical system
38 reports2 crashes21 fires
“While driving the vehicle I came to a stop to make a left hand turn and as I started without warning the vehicle stalled and lost power of steering wheel and brakes I almost hit another car. This wasn't the 1st time car has stalled while driving but the one where is came close to causing an accident”
Suspension
32 reports1 crash1 fire2 related recalls
“I WAS DRIVING AND HEAR A METAL SCRAPING NOISE FROM MY FRONT RIGHT SIDE BY THE WHEEL WHEN I TURNED LEFT.BEFORE I GOT HOME THE NOISE GOT EXTREMELY LOUD AND CONSTANT.I TOOK THE TIRE OFF WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND THE BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN AND WAS OUT OF POSITION CAUSE A RUBBING INSIDE MY TIRE RIM.IT LOOKED LIKE THE ARM OF THE BALL JOINT HAD BEEN BURNED THROUGH CAUSING IT TO BREAK.THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL ON SOME 1999 DODGE STRATUS' BALL JOINTS BUT WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN# MINE DID NOT COME UP.THEY SHOULDN'T JUST BREAK FROM NORMAL USE.IT WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED DRIVING NORMALLY THEN THE NOISE STARTED AND I FELT KIND OF A POP AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.