Research · Compact Cars

2004 Dodge StratusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 144 owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Stratus. Most complaints involve suspension (38) and engine and engine cooling (22). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–24mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
144
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 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

144 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2004 – Jul 2025
  1. Suspension38
  2. Engine and engine cooling22
  3. Electrical system16
  4. Air bags15
  5. Steering13
  6. Vehicle speed control13
  7. Power train12
  8. Structure9
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic8

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
24
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
17
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

Suspension

38 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and then lost motive power. Additionally, the front passenger's side ball stud separated from the ball joint housing, and the front passenger's side tire was stuck on the fender, preventing the engine from falling onto the ground. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. While the vehicle was being placed on the flatbed tow truck, the oil filter fractured and detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2021SuspensionODI 11442006

Engine and engine cooling

22 reports1 crash
“CAR IS DRIVEN ON REGULAR CITY STREETS AND FREEWAYS. ROADS I DRIVE ARE PAVED - NO COUNTRY, DUSTY ROADS AND AREA ISN'T HEAVY IN POLLUTION. I PURCHASE MY GAS FROM SHELL OR CHEVRON AND REFILL AT 1/4 TO 1/3 TANK TO REDUCE CHANCE OF PICKING UP SEDIMENT FROM FUEL TANK. NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY.THAT CAR WOULD DROP IN SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO 20 RATHER QUICKLY AND THEN FORGET ABOUT GOING UP A HILL. I WAS ALSO GETTING 8-10 MPG. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED EVEN ON LEVEL CITY STREETS THE LOSS OF POWER. CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WITH CALIFORNIA EMISSION REGULATIONS THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR WAS $ 1,600.00. A YEAR LATER, I NOTICED SOME LOSS OF POWER AND INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION. CAR WAS DIAGNOSED TO NEED CAT CONVERTER REPLACED AGAIN AND PAID ANOTHER $ 1,600.00. ALSO WAS DIAGNOSED THAT REAR MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND WAS WONDERING IF THIS WAS NORMAL. VERY BOUNCY RIDE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2014Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasolineODI 10592744

Electrical system

16 reports2 crashes
“THE WINDOWS DO NOT WORK AND THIS PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING EVEN AFTER IT WAS FIXED, IT WASN'T THE MOTOR, SWITCHES OR ANYTHING ELSE, THE WIRING IS BAD SOMEWHERE AND IT WENT BACK OUT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I HOPE THIS IS A RECALL SO SOMETHING CAN GET DONE AND STAY DONE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2014Electrical system, VisibilityODI 10575664
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 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 · Premium 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 · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
Stratus 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,850404
Stratus
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,700423
Stratus
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950423
Stratus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,700423
Stratus
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
Stratus 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$2,950423
Stratus 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950423
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
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, CLKUP
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, CLKUP
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Stratus 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, 2MODE CLKUP
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    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 2004 Dodge Stratus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1100Vehicle 1099
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

2004 Stratus questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Stratus have?

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.

What are the most common 2004 Dodge Stratus problems?

Owners filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (38), engine and engine cooling (22), electrical system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Dodge Stratus get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Dodge Stratus at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026