VehicleVerdict

2006 Dodge Stratus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Dodge Stratus sits mid-pack among Stratus years: 110 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 234, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (23), engine (20), and airbags (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

110

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Stratus years?

Stratus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 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, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Stratus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Dodge Stratus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension2321%
Engine2018%
Airbags1514%
Steering98%
Electrical System98%
Tires & Wheels76%
Brakes55%
Fuel System55%
Transmission44%
Body & Structure44%
Speed Control33%
Other22%
Seat Belts22%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seats11%

Does the 2006 Dodge Stratus have recalls?

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGH WAY WHEN I HEARD A BANG AND THE CAR PULLED ME HARD INTO THE MEDIUM AT 75 MILES AN HOUR. I TOTALED MY CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BALL JOINT HAS SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE TIRE TO JAM IN TO THE FENDER. FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET OF THE ROAD AND IT WAS ON THE DRIVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 24, 2012 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN TRAFFIC, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE CONTACT LATER OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 4, 2016 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 18, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND A NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2017

“I WAS STARTING TO TURN LEFT TO ENTER A HIGHWAY ON RAMP WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST STEERING FOR A SECOND AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HIT THE BRAKES AND CLIPPED A CURB WHICH BLEW OUT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND DAMAGED THE WHEEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 20, 2006 · crash

2006 Dodge Stratus — common questions

Is the 2006 Dodge Stratus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 110 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Stratus year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2006 Stratus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (23 complaints), engine (20 complaints), airbags (15 complaints).

Does the 2006 Dodge Stratus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 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.