2000 Dodge STRATUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
215 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
88,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 116 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 215 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 52 | 24.2% |
| Braking behavior | 33 | 15.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 47 |
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 |
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 47; Electrical System: 21; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Steering: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 26 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 31 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 26; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 18
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (31). 99 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 25 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 36 |
| 2007 | 41 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 13; 2001: 18; 2002: 10; 2003: 25; 2004: 12; 2005: 22; 2006: 36; 2007: 41; 2008: 10; 2009: 1; 2010: 10; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 52 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10062847 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A STATE INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. CONSUMER HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. *AK THE STEERING RACK AND TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THE VALVE COVER GASKET HAD A SLIGHT LEAK AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A LOOSE GAS CAP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 62,444 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114835 · 2005-03-27 (March 27, 2005)
I HAD A 2000 DODGE STRATUS UNTIL TODAY. TODAY, MARCH 27TH, 2005, MY STRATUS HAD A HYDRAULIC LINE FOR THE POWER STEERING RUPTURE AND CAUSED MY ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CATCH FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD OBSERVED POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE LINE FITTING AND THE LEAK FLUID DROPPED ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE BELOW. I BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT HOSE. HOWEVER, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE I GOT A CHANCE TO REPLACE LEAKY POWER STEERING HOSE. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD A RECALL, OR WHAT I MIGHT DO TO RESEARCH THIS MORE AND FIND OUT IF …
Owner-reported narrative. 84,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006593 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME AS IN RECALL NUMBER 00 V 196 000 FOR THE BRAKE HOSE, BUT VEHICLE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028581 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
AT ANY GIVEN TIME, ONE OF MY THREE BRAKE LIGHTS IS NOT WORKING. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY REASON AS THE SAME LIGHT THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY NOT WORKING WILL WORK WHILE A DIFFERENT ONE WILL BE OUT WITHOUT ANY WORK BEING DONE ON THE CAR TO TRY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. SOME TIMES, ONLY ONE LIGHT IS WORKING OR NONE OF THEM ARE WORKING. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKS FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE HAD MY PERSONAL MECHANIC TO REFILL THE TRANSMISSION AT LEAST TWICE AFTER LESS THAN 3,000 MILES AND HAD HOSES CHECKED…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002118 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL PEN HAD NO COVER CAUSING THE PEN TO POP OUT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING IT TO SLIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023101 · 2003-06-15 (June 15, 2003)
AUTO TRANSMISSION DESTROYED ITSELF WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON CAR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 45,129 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029658 · 2003-08-22 (August 22, 2003)
THE FUEL PUMP WIRE BURNED INSIDE THE GAS TANK, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE FUEL PUMP HAD BURNT INSIDE THE TANK. THE PUMP WAS BURNT IN SEVERAL PLACES. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 61,181 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048361 · 2003-11-19 (November 19, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE LOSING POWER DUE TO MELTED PLASTIC CONNECTOR WIRE. *MR THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILED AT THE GAS TANK CONNECTOR WHICH MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT CREATING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THIS GAVE AN INDICATIONS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096121 · 2004-10-20 (October 20, 2004)
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MR. TIRE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED TO TAKE IT TO MY DODGE DEALER. DODGE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH FUEL FILTER. DEALER UNABLE TO PROVIDE CAUSE EXCEPT THAT IT FAILED. MENTIONED THAT MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT A NUMBER OF NHTSA FUEL PUMP FAILURE COMPLAINTS POINTED TO THE CONNECTION. WAS ADVISED THAT FUEL PUMPS DON'T NORMALLY FAIL. $700.00 REPAIR BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,325 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096121 at NHTSA ↗