VehicleVerdict

1997 Dodge Stratus engine problems

The 1997 Dodge Stratus has 177 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 39% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

177

Engine complaints

39%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Stratus engine complaints by model year360 complaints1995: 116 complaints1996: 360 complaints1997: 177 complaints1998: 125 complaints1999: 57 complaints2000: 26 complaints2001: 61 complaints2002: 51 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 26 complaints2005: 21 complaints2006: 20 complaints
Stratus engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“CONSUMER'S BROTHER STARTED VEHICLE UP TO DRIVE VEHICLE OVER TO CONSUMER'S HOUSE. IN PROCESS OF DRIVING, SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. CONSUMER SMELLED THE SMOKE. BACKSEAT STARTED TO EVAPORATE. EVERYTHING THAT WAS INSIDE OFF VEHICLE WAS DEMOLISHED. *AK THE CLOGGED EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSED THE ENGINE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 17, 2000 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 1997 Dodge Stratus have?

NHTSA has 177 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Stratus engine — 39% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.