The 1996 Dodge Stratus has 79 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.
79
Brakes complaints
10%
Share of year
10
Crash-involved
2
Related recalls
Defect
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence
BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
Defect
CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence
IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
“BRAKES FAILED ON MY SONS '96 DODGE STRATUS. HE WENT OVER APPROXIMATELY A 20 FOOT EMBANKMENT AND LANDED IN A CREEK. LUCKILY HE ONLY RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND YOUR SITE ON RECALLS AND THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE BRAKES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, HOWEVER,…”
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Stratus brakes — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 96V074000, 96V075000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.