VehicleVerdict

2005 Dodge Stratus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Dodge Stratus is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 99 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 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (21), suspension (18), and steering (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

99

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Stratus years?

Stratus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Stratus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Dodge Stratus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2121%
Suspension1818%
Steering1313%
Airbags99%
Electrical System88%
Brakes66%
Tires & Wheels55%
Fuel System33%
Transmission33%
Body & Structure33%
Seats22%
Other22%
Seat Belts22%
Speed Control22%
Child Seat11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2005 Dodge Stratus have recalls?

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

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.

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.

04V579000SteeringDecember 9, 2004 · 26,354 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND CONVERTIBLE MODEL VEHICLES, THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE COMPONENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEERING KNUCKLE TO CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V532000Seat BeltsNovember 2, 2004 · 8,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR OUTBOARD RETRACTOR AND TURNING LOOP BOLTS ON THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE AFFECTED FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE TWO VEHICLE LENGTHS BEFORE HIM, CAUSED HIM TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT OF HIS HOOD WAS JAMMED UNDER THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. A PASSERBY INFORMED HIM THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 2, 2008 · crash · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SUDDENLY BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS NOT LUBED AT THE FACTORY WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO BREAK OFF. THE CONTACT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 14, 2009 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 4, 2016 · crash

A TRUCK MADE AN ILLEGAL LANE CHANGE AND HE HIT ME ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND DAMAGED MY LIGHT, HOOD, WINDSHIELD, THE COMPUTER, AND OTHER THINGS UNDER THE HOOD. THE IMPACT WAS VERY STRONG AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 24, 2013 · crash

A TRUCK MADE AN ILLEGAL LANE CHANGE AND HE HIT ME ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND DAMAGED MY LIGHT, HOOD, WINDSHIELD, THE COMPUTER, AND OTHER THINGS UNDER THE HOOD. THE IMPACT WAS VERY STRONG AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 24, 2013 · crash

2005 Dodge Stratus — common questions

Is the 2005 Dodge Stratus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 99 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Stratus year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 Stratus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (21 complaints), suspension (18 complaints), steering (13 complaints).

Does the 2005 Dodge Stratus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Dodge Stratus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.