2003 Dodge Stratus problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (6) · Suspension:rear (6) · Air Bags (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Stratus model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
54 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2015-06-02 · campaign 15V338000 · 443,442 vehicles
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 po
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2010-12-27 · campaign 10E059000 · 22,689 vehicles
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.
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (57)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Structure 2019-11-20 · 3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
use of aftermarket parts this bulletin involves discussing fca us llc position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
Structure 2019-11-20 · 3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
use of salvage/recycled parts this bulletin involves discussing fca us llc position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
Showing the 6 most recent of 57 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-06-24 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs“the problem is not with the tire itself, but with the lug nuts holding the tire on the car. in the past year i have had at least six lug nuts fail. i have had a rash of flat tires, mostly related to nails. in attempting to remove the tires to put on the spare, the chrome caps on the nuts have come off. in the first incident, i was able to strip…”
2023-10-27 · Suspension“car was owned by school govement it has been worked on several times for bad suspension.and documented.ball joint bad suspension front and back.back dating 2 or 3 years.no accidents just bad suspension …”
2023-09-08 · Air Bags“when replacing the clock spring i noticed the airbag serial number matched numbers from other vehicles for recall but my vehicle was not listed in recall.vin number [xxx] 2003 dodge stratus sedan information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2019-11-13 · Suspension · 180,037 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. while at an intersection, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle jerked and lost power without warning. the contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road. once the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation. also, when the vehicle struck a bump in the road,…”
2017-06-19 · Vehicle Speed Control · 178,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. the contact stated that the vehicle's horn had no functionality and the vehicle speed control did not function. in addition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failures. the failure mileage was appro…”
2016-10-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 114,150 mi“while driving my 2003 dodge stratus, i was in the process of turning and i heard a kind of snap and then i felt and heard a grinding in my steering wheel. for about a week whenever i had to make a turn there was this noise list a spring was caught and almost would get caught and i would have to quickly jerk the steering wheel so it wouldn't get stu…”
2016-10-19 · Engine · 130,000 mi“only had my 2003 dodge stratus for a few months and having major problems now. when i first got it, everything was in good condition but i still did maintenance work on it anyways. i barely drive my car because i'm a stay at home mom so i don't really put miles on my car. now my car is suffering problems from within the engine. i was driving one ev…”
2016-09-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 196,000 mi“the car one once moving and then i stop, and put foot on brake, put gear in reverse and give it a little gas, and the vehicle rocks and shakes, and i was park, and put my foot on brake, put the gear in reverse and gave it a litte gas and it rock and shakes. i did just have new spark plugs put on old plugs and wires, and a new fuel tank filler tube…”
2016-03-21 · Suspension · 110,900 mi“ball joints and control arms recall. they failed as i was driving on the highway causing me to complete an almost 1,000 dollar repair for replacements.…”
2016-01-28 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2003 dodge stratus. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, another vehicle lost control and crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. the air bags deployed shattering the contact's sternum, which required medical attention. the driver and passenger of the other vehicle sustained lacerations to the face and a frac…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.