VehicleVerdict

2002 Dodge Stratus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2002 Dodge Stratus is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 193 owner complaints run below the Stratus median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 21 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 51 reports (26% of the total).

193

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

21

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Stratus years?

Stratus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted776 complaints1992: 1 complaints1995: 462 complaints1996: 776 complaints1997: 451 complaints1998: 334 complaints1999: 344 complaints2000: 270 complaints2001: 269 complaints2002: 193 complaints2003: 110 complaints2004: 196 complaints2005: 99 complaints2006: 110 complaints2007: 2 complaints
Stratus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Stratus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Dodge Stratus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5126%
Suspension3518%
Transmission2111%
Airbags1910%
Brakes126%
Steering95%
Electrical System95%
Speed Control84%
Body & Structure74%
Other63%
Visibility & Wipers53%
Seat Belts42%
Tires & Wheels32%
Seats11%
Lighting11%
Latches & Locks11%
Fuel System11%

Does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V401000AirbagsJune 3, 2016 · 16,315 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.

Consequence

If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

15V338000AirbagsJune 2, 2015 · 443,442 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

10E059000SuspensionDecember 27, 2010 · 22,689 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

09E056000SuspensionOctober 9, 2009 · 5,787 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

HAD PARKED VEHICLE. NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT CALLED AND ARRIVED TO PUT OUT FLAMES. CAUSE OF FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BY FIRE DEPT. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 3, 2003 · fire

MY CAR HAS A BAD NOISE AND POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. I WAS TURNING OUT OF MY MOMS DRIVEWAY WHEN MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE COLLAPSED IN .. MY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE . AFTER MY CAR WAS JACKED UP MY LOWER A ARM AND BALL JOINT WAS BROKE .. I REPLACED EVERYTHING . A WEEK LATER THE DRIVER SIDE BALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 6, 2015 · crash

GRANDAUGHTER WAS RETURNING HOME FROM COLLEGE . VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE ON HIGHWAY BETWEEN MARBLE FALLS TEX AND BURNET TEXAS.. HER MOTHER WAS FOLLOWING IN ANOTHER CAR AND BARELY HAD TIME TO RESCUE SOME OF THE PERSONAL ITEMS BEFORE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. GRANDDAUGHTER BARELY ESCAPED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 13, 2014 · fire

BRAKES FAILED WHILE APPLYED AT 55 MPH, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES EJECTING THE PASSENGER AND INJURING THE DRIVER CRITICALLY. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD CRUISE CONTROL AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 13, 2002 · crash

BRAKES FAILED WHILE APPLYED AT 55 MPH, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES EJECTING THE PASSENGER AND INJURING THE DRIVER CRITICALLY. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD CRUISE CONTROL AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 13, 2002 · crash

2002 Dodge Stratus — common questions

Is the 2002 Dodge Stratus reliable?

It is close to typical for the Stratus: 193 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2002 Stratus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (51 complaints), suspension (35 complaints), transmission (21 complaints).

Does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Dodge Stratus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Dodge Stratus under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Stratus years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Stratus years to avoid are 1996, 1995, 1997. The cleanest record among Stratus years belongs to 1992.

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.