DODGE STRATUS · model year

1996 DODGE STRATUS

776 NHTSA complaints, 39 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996DODGESTRATUS carries 776 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 39 crashes, 40 fires, 27 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 STRATUS is engine and engine cooling:engine with 224 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (101) and power train:automatic transmission (38). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1996 STRATUS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

776
Complaints
39
Crashes
40
Fires
27
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

776 filings

Crashes Reported

39 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE224
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE101
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION38
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP23
UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL14
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY14
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE10
SUSPENSION:FRONT9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER9
SUSPENSION9

Recent Complaints

20150204WHEELS

R&R FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING FIX, HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY TOTAL COST $214.55 CLEAN ENGINE TOTAL COST $83.46 ENGINE OIL LEAK, TRIED OIL STOP LEAK & SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR THE TIME BEING. RADIATOR/ANTIFREEZE LEAK, I'M SPENDING $150 MONTH FOR ANTIFREEZE. PUTTING IN 1-2 BOTTLES A DAY. PROBABLY WILL HAVE RADIATOR FIXED SOON. MUFFLER FELL OFF, CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE. NEEDS NEW SPARK PLUGS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS MANIFOLD GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS OIL PAN GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS NEW WIPERS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

20150204ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

R&R FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING FIX, HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY TOTAL COST $214.55 CLEAN ENGINE TOTAL COST $83.46 ENGINE OIL LEAK, TRIED OIL STOP LEAK & SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR THE TIME BEING. RADIATOR/ANTIFREEZE LEAK, I'M SPENDING $150 MONTH FOR ANTIFREEZE. PUTTING IN 1-2 BOTTLES A DAY. PROBABLY WILL HAVE RADIATOR FIXED SOON. MUFFLER FELL OFF, CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE. NEEDS NEW SPARK PLUGS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS MANIFOLD GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS OIL PAN GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS NEW WIPERS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

20150204VISIBILITY/WIPER

R&R FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING FIX, HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY TOTAL COST $214.55 CLEAN ENGINE TOTAL COST $83.46 ENGINE OIL LEAK, TRIED OIL STOP LEAK & SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR THE TIME BEING. RADIATOR/ANTIFREEZE LEAK, I'M SPENDING $150 MONTH FOR ANTIFREEZE. PUTTING IN 1-2 BOTTLES A DAY. PROBABLY WILL HAVE RADIATOR FIXED SOON. MUFFLER FELL OFF, CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE. NEEDS NEW SPARK PLUGS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS MANIFOLD GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS OIL PAN GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS NEW WIPERS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

20140612TIRES

GENERAL TIRE ALTIMAX RT SIZE 195/70R14 BULGE ON SIDEWALL WHEN INSTALLED A BRAND NEW TIRE. AFTER INSTALLATION OBSERVED ONE OF FOUR TIRES WITH A BULGE ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE. BULGE NOT AN INDENTATION. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AND NO OBVIOUS INSTALLATION OR BEAD DAMAGE FROM THE OUTSIDE. INSTALLER SAID SMALL BULGE BUT MAY GROW. SENT PICTURES TO DISCOUNTTIREDIRECT AND THEY SEEMED TO THINK INSTALLATION BEAD DAMAGE. TOOK TIRE OFF, NO DAMAGE FOUND INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OR ANY BEAD IRREGULARITIES. SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE BUILD. OTHER 3 TIRES WERE FINE ON ALL SIDES. *TR

20130102CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, STRUCK THE CURVE AND TRAVELED INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E056000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000. UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 116,000

20130102CrashSUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, STRUCK THE CURVE AND TRAVELED INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E056000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000. UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 116,000

20120326FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES, WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20110721ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD ACTIVATE WITHOUT COMMAND AT ANYTIME AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE LAST TIME, THE DEALER PLACED A HORN BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 12/05/11

Mileage: 60,000

20110721STEERING:COLUMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD ACTIVATE WITHOUT COMMAND AT ANYTIME AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE LAST TIME, THE DEALER PLACED A HORN BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 12/05/11

Mileage: 60,000

20110721ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD ACTIVATE WITHOUT COMMAND AT ANYTIME AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE LAST TIME, THE DEALER PLACED A HORN BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 12/05/11

Mileage: 60,000

20110611UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I JUST BOUGHT A 1996 DODGE STRATUS AND IT HAS MUTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE MAIN THING IS IT STALLS AND DIES WHILE YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH MORE THAN ONCE. IT HAS RECALLS AND IAM GOING TO TAKE IT TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT ALSO HAS OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE WITH THE DOOR LOCKS,THE HOOD AND THE TRUNK. *TR

Mileage: 155,008

20091019ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY CAR HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND A FEW OTHER THINGS ON IT. BUT I CAN SMELL BURNING OIL FROM SOME WERE AND THE LIGHT IS ON FOR THE OIL. I ONLY DRIVE SHORT DISTANCES BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF A FIRE. NOT ONLY THAT IT WELL MAYBE ONLY GO ABOUT 2 MILES BEFORE IT SHUTS DOWN. THEN I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO COOL DOWN TO START IT AND GET IT BACK HOME. *TR

20091019EQUIPMENT

MY CAR HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND A FEW OTHER THINGS ON IT. BUT I CAN SMELL BURNING OIL FROM SOME WERE AND THE LIGHT IS ON FOR THE OIL. I ONLY DRIVE SHORT DISTANCES BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF A FIRE. NOT ONLY THAT IT WELL MAYBE ONLY GO ABOUT 2 MILES BEFORE IT SHUTS DOWN. THEN I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO COOL DOWN TO START IT AND GET IT BACK HOME. *TR

20090619FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SUFFERED A MELT DOWN. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 193,000. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN THE PCM AND POWER SHIFTER WERE FAULTY. UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB

Mileage: 193,000

20090619FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SUFFERED A MELT DOWN. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 193,000. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN THE PCM AND POWER SHIFTER WERE FAULTY. UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB

Mileage: 193,000

20090504ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT MOUNTED DOWN AND WAS MISSING TWO SCREWS. THE MOTOR JERKS BACK AND FORTH SO SEVERELY THAT IT SEEMS AS IF THE ENGINE WILL FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING CHAIN, FUEL PUMP, IGNITION COIL, SERPENTINE BELT, AND MUFFLER ARE FAILING. NEW BRAKES AND STRUTS ARE ALSO NEEDED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCOVER THESE ISSUES UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20090504SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT MOUNTED DOWN AND WAS MISSING TWO SCREWS. THE MOTOR JERKS BACK AND FORTH SO SEVERELY THAT IT SEEMS AS IF THE ENGINE WILL FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING CHAIN, FUEL PUMP, IGNITION COIL, SERPENTINE BELT, AND MUFFLER ARE FAILING. NEW BRAKES AND STRUTS ARE ALSO NEEDED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCOVER THESE ISSUES UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20081013UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I'M NOT SURE WHAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE. I HAVE A BAD OIL LEAK I WAS TOLD IT WAS A REAR SEAL AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T GO BAD I'M CHECKING WITH YOU BECAUSE I DON'T THESE THINGS I KNOW I LOVE THAT CAR I HAVE A PAID OUT 100'S OF DOLLARS TO GET THE BRAKES FIXED NOW THIS. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE OIL LEAKS OUT SO BAD. I'M JUST GUESSING ON A DATE BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR ME I'M UNSURE OF WHAT THE MILEAGE MAY HAVE BEEN WHEN THE LEAK STARTED THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20080125POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

WON'T SHIFT OUT OF SECOND TO THIRD, THE MOTOR JUST REVS UP AND YOU HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO UNDER 30 MPH BEFORE IT STOPS. *TR

20071023FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

WHEN MY FUEL GOES BELOW 3/4 OF A TANK, IT DIES ON ME. IT STARTS TO JERK LIKE ITS SHIFTING HARD, THEN LOOSES POWER. WHEN I TRY TO START IT BACK UP, IT TURNS OVER BUT DOESN'T ACT LIKE ITS GETTING ANY FUEL. THEN THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. IF I GET GAS AND FILL IT BACK UP IT RUNS FINE. I HAVE SPENT MANY HRS BROKE DOWN ON THE HWY. I WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Mileage: 80,000

Compare 1996DODGESTRATUS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 DODGE STRATUS have?
The 1996 DODGE STRATUS has 776 NHTSA complaints, 39 crashes, 40 fires, 27 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 DODGE STRATUS?
The most-complained component for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 224 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1996 DODGE STRATUS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.