2004 Dodge STRATUS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
144 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
66,887 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 113 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 144 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 15.3% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 10.4% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 10.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 18 |
| Suspension:Rear | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
Suspension: 18; Suspension:Rear: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Air Bags: 10; Steering: 10; Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 22 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 10
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 31 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 20 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2004: 17; 2005: 20; 2006: 13; 2007: 18; 2008: 21; 2009: 2; 2010: 7; 2011: 6; 2012: 7; 2013: 6; 2014: 6; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 15 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10059343 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS BUMPED IT SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067639 · 2004-04-22 (April 22, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ON I-290 ( 3 LANE SUPER HIGHWAY JUST OUTSIDE CHICAGO) THE ASD (AUTOMATIC SHUT DOWN) SWITCH ACTIVATED AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. I COASTED TO AN EXIT BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,436 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071408 · 2004-04-23 (April 23, 2004)
WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT SURGED BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND HIT A BRICK WALL. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071663 · 2004-04-27 (April 27, 2004)
WHILE COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE REVVED AT A HIGH RATE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073016 · 2004-05-23 (May 23, 2004)
I PURCHASED A 2004 DODGE STRATUS ON 4/13/04. ON 5/22/04 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER FOR THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE ON THE RACK , THEY DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS WIDESPREAD SEVERE CORROSION TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING TIE RODS, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, ETC.. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY FELT THAT, LEFT UNCORRECTED, THE SITUATION PRESENTED A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK I HAVE JPEG IMAGES OF SOME OF THE AFFECTED AREAS THAT CAN BE SENT BY E-MAIL. FROM WHAT I CAN SEE, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,104 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079268 · 2004-07-04 (July 4, 2004)
WHEN I TOOK MY 04 STRATUS TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AT 5000 MILES, THE PROFESSIONAL SHOP I TOOK IT TO TRYED TO TORQUE THE TIRES AT RECOMENDED PRESSURE WHEN 3 OF THE STUDS BROKE OFF. NO METAL SHOULD BREAK AT 100FTLBS. LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE ROAD WITH MY FAMILY WHEN THEY DECIDED TO BREAK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082673 · 2004-07-26 (July 26, 2004)
CAR WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT 8 HOURS, STARTED CAR, LOUD SQUEALING NOISE WHILE IN PARK AND NO RADIO OR AIR CONDITIONING, PUT INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE..NO NOISE. PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT AND WENT APPROX. 1 BLOCK WHEN CAR JUST DIED AND RADIO/AIR CAME ON. CAR THEN STARTED BACK UP AND HAS SO FAR BEEN OK. DEALERSHIP FOUND NOTHING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088795 · 2004-08-30 (August 30, 2004)
PURCHASED A 2004 DODGE STRATUS IN JULY OF 2003. BY DEMEBER 2003, AT 6,00 MILES, THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WARPAGE. IN JULY 2004, APX 12,000 MILES, THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO WARPAGE. I BEGAN TO SEE THIS FOR WHAT IS IS; A PERPETUAL PROBLEM SOON TO BE EXCLUDED FROM WARRANTY WORK. I TOOK A LOSS OF 1,500. ON THE VEHICLE SIMPLY TO GET OUT FROM UNDER IT. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS DUE TO MY DRIVING STYLE, WHICH IS THE STANDARD LINE BEING GIVEN TO DODGE OWNERS. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB TO SEE IF OTHER DODGE O…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,435 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088795 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V443000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V313000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)
ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.
Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V338000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗