Research · Compact Cars

2003 Dodge StratusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 91 owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Stratus. Most complaints involve air bags (17) and suspension (16). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–24mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
91
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Air bagsReported Jun 2, 2015NHTSA 15V338000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Dec 27, 2010NHTSA 10E059000

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Oct 9, 2009NHTSA 09E056000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

91 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2003 – Jun 2024
  1. Air bags17
  2. Suspension16
  3. Structure15
  4. Electrical system12
  5. Vehicle speed control8
  6. Steering7
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  8. Engine and engine cooling7
  9. Power train6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Stratus model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996564
1997355
1998284
1999298
2000240
2001186
2002174
200391
2004144
200562
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

17 reports4 crashes
“When replacing the Clock Spring I noticed the Airbag serial number matched numbers from other vehicles for recall but my vehicle was not listed in recall.Vin number [XXX] 2003 Dodge Stratus Sedan”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2023Air bagsODI 11543328

Suspension

16 reports
“Car was owned by school govement it has been worked on several times for bad suspension.and documented.ball joint bad suspension front and back.back dating 2 or 3 years.no accidents just bad suspension”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2023SuspensionODI 11552307

Structure

15 reports
“THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD FROM DRIVER'S SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS FROM THE FRONT WHERE IT MEETS THE WINDSHIELD TO WHERE IT WRAPS OVER AND CONNECTS TO ENTIRE PANEL FACING THE FRONT SEATS IS WARPING AND PULLING AWAY FROM EVERYTHING IT IS SUPPOSE TO HELP HOLD INTO PLACE. IT IS NOW RISING ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. IF THIS AIR BAG DEPLOYS IT WILL DEFINITELY EITHER THROW THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD OR MASSIVE PIECES OF IT DIRECTLY TOWARD THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER (SINCE THE WARPING HAS DISLODGED IT FROM EVERYTHING) OR IT WILL DEPLOY AND THE WARPED DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO BE THROWN UP TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD, SUN VISOR SUPPORT & NEW TETHER STRAP WHICH COULD CAUSE EVEN MORE ISSUES. THE WARPING HAS ALSO STARTED TO AFFECT EVERY COVER IT CONNECTS TO ON THE DASH, PULLING & PUSHING THEM LOOSE. THESE ITEMS CAN NOW ALSO BE THROWN THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH. I HAVE ONLY OWNED MY VEHICLE 6 MONTHS, THE SUMMER HEAT HAS NOT EVEN ARRIVED. AT THE RATE IT IS WARPING, I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL PROBABLY BE A MINIMUM OF 2 INCHES ABOVE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WITHIN THE NEXT 3 MONTHS. PLEASE HELP US STAY SAFE AND RECALL THESE DASHBOARDS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2016Air bags, StructureODI 10861272
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic (S4)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Stratus
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
Stratus
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
Stratus 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,850404
Stratus
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950423
Stratus
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950423
Stratus
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950423
Stratus 4 Door
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950423
Stratus 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$2,950423
Stratus 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$2,950423
Stratus
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Stratus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Stratus 4 Door
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100444
  • Stratus
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus 4 Door
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus 4 Door
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Dodge Stratus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 4775Vehicle 4774
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Stratus questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Stratus have?

6 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.

What are the most common 2003 Dodge Stratus problems?

Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (17), suspension (16), structure (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Dodge Stratus get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Dodge Stratus at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026