NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 240 owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge Stratus. Most complaints involve steering (68) and electrical system (31). The EPA rates it 19–22 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.
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.
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 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING PROBLEM SUBSIDES. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DEFECT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000. JFT. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JAN 05, 2006 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V001000 COMPONENT(S): STEERING”
“MY DODGE STRATUS STARTED BLOWING HORN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING. EVERYTIME I TURN THE WHEEL THE HORN BLOWS. THEN TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME IN THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEN LOCKS START GOING UP AND DOWN AND DOOR MAKE BEEP AS IF A DOOR HIS OPEN. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSES TO STOP HORN FROM BLOWING, CUT INSIDE LIGHTS OFF AND STOP LOCKS FROM GOING UP AND DOWN. THE CAR STILL MAKES BEEP NOISE AS IF DOOR OPEN WHOLE TIME DRIVING AND STOPS AND START BACK WHEN I HIT A BUMP. MY FRONT WHEEL MAKING A NOISE AS IF THE WHEEL IS GOING TO BREAK OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS ALSO DRINKING GAS AS IF IT IS LEAKING. I DONT SEE ANY GAS ON THE GROUND BUT I CAN SMELL FUMES OFF AND ONE AND SOMETIMES UNDER THE HOOD. IT IS LIKE I AM LOSING GAS PRESSURE BECAUSE CAR STALLS AND I AM LOSING GAS SOMEWHERE. *TR”
“MY SON DROVE MY CAR A SHORT DISTANCE AND PARKED IT AT A RESTAURANT. HE WAS INFORMED WITHIN MINUTES THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPT. EXTINQUISHED AN ENGINE COMPATMENT FIRE. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HAPPENED IN AKRON OHIO APPROX. NOV. 2011. *TR”
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 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Stratus Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Stratus Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Stratus Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L, VMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| 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 |
9 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 240 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (68), electrical system (31), engine and engine cooling (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Dodge Stratus at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).