Research · Compact Cars

2005 Dodge StratusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 62 owner complaints for the 2005 Dodge Stratus. Most complaints involve suspension (18) and engine and engine cooling (14). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
62
Top: suspension
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

62 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2004 – Feb 2022
  1. Suspension18
  2. Engine and engine cooling14
  3. Steering13
  4. Air bags9
  5. Engine5
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Electrical system5
  8. Wheels5
  9. Power train3

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
14
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
11
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

18 reports2 crashes
“GOT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND FROM DAY 1 WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY THE CAR IS ALMOST UNCONTROLABLE THE WHEEL PULLS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BAD SO I HAVE TO PUMP THEM AND THEN IT STILL PULLS AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES 4 TIMES TO MAKE SURE IT WASNT THE DISC AND ALSO REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE SHOP TOLD ME THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE CRACKING UP AND SO ITS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BE REPLACING SOMETHING THAT SHOULDNT BE MESSED UP MY CAR HAS LOW MILES IT STARTED MAKIMG CLUNKING NOISES WHEM GOING OVER A BUMP AND ANY TIME CAR IS MOVING IT IS SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FRPM FRONT OF CAR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2020Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11363494

Engine and engine cooling

14 reports1 crash1 fire
“THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE COOLANT AIR BLEEDER VALVE DO TO BEING A DEFECTIVE PART NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OR SIMILAR YEARS, I'M DISABLED AND NEED MY CAR FOR DR. APPOINTMENTS, DON'T WANT TO END UP IN CAR ACCIDENTS DO TO THIS ISSUE PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED OTHER INFO[XXX] *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2014Engine and engine coolingODI 10586257

Steering

13 reports3 crashes
“TAKATA THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN AS A RECALL ON A DODGE STRATUS AND TRIED TO REPORT IT AND WHOMEVER I BE TALKING TO IS IN DENIAL ABOUT THAT MY CAR IS SHOWING ME THE SIGNS THAT IT'S NEEDS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT'S A MALFUNCTION MY BALL JOINT IS BAD BECAUSE OF THE FRONT RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE HAS MESSED IT UP AND MY GAS GAUGE IS MESSED UP WITH THE ALARM AND TEMP CONTROL IS ALSO MESSED UP”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2018Steering, Suspension, Electrical systemODI 11093420
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 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
182721$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
192521$2,950423
  • 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 · 27 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 · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    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 2005 Dodge Stratus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1564Vehicle 1563
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

2005 Stratus questions

How many recalls does the 2005 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 2005 Dodge Stratus problems?

Owners filed 62 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (18), engine and engine cooling (14), steering (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Dodge Stratus get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Dodge Stratus at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026