1995 Dodge Stratus Engine and Engine Cooling Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 16, 2010 · 106 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 1995 Dodge Stratus, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 137,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “head gasket” (40% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Head gasket: mentioned in 42 of 106 complaints (40%)
  • Oil leak: mentioned in 12 of 106 complaints (11%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the 1995 Dodge Stratus at $3,950, and half of them between $1,850 and $7,150.

Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2003), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?

Based on 3 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles0 · 0%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles0 · 0%
50k–75k miles0 · 0%
75k–100k miles1 · 33%
100k–150k miles1 · 33%
150k+ miles1 · 33%

How serious are the reports?

Of 106 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 5 a fire.

Dodge Stratus engine and engine cooling complaints by model year

Peak: 1996, with 335 complaints
1995: 10619951061996: 33519963351997: 15819971581998: 12119981211999: 531999532000: 232000232001: 582001582002: 482002482003: 6200362004: 222004222005: 142005142006: 14200614

n = 958 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine and Engine Cooling complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2006 Stratus1419%44,000
2005 Stratus1423%63,008
2004 Stratus2215%36,500
2003 Stratus68%33,000
2002 Stratus4832%80,000
2001 Stratus5831%65,000
2000 Stratus2311%105,500
1999 Stratus5321%65,500
1998 Stratus12144%65,000
1997 Stratus15845%70,000
1996 Stratus33560%90,000
1995 Stratus10633%137,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2000, with 26 complaints
1995: 1199511996: 4199641997: 6199761998: 131998131999: 251999252000: 262000262001: 162001162002: 6200262003: 6200362004: 1200412006: 1200612008: 120081

n = 106 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasolineJan 11, 1996 · NHTSA campaign 96V006000 · 40,000 vehicles

Problem: In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.

Risk: Inadequate sealing and retention of the plug can result in oil leakage which could cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Fix: Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

While driving at approximately 30 mph, my car started to overheat. When i pulled over, the coolant was pouring out of the engine. I had the car towed to a garage and was told that it failed the "block test" meaning that it needed a new head gasket. I took the car to a second garage and was told the…

Received Jan 31, 2008 · NHTSA complaint 10216618

1995 dodge stratus caught on fire. *ts the consumer was driving, when all of a sudden the vehicle lost power. The consumer pulled onto the shoulder, exited the vehicle and saw smoke. A few minutes later the vehicle was engulfed in flames. *jb

Received Jan 13, 2006 · NHTSA complaint 10148650

Request for refund for all repairs made to transmission that was in the recall .*mr the consumer's transmission failed prior to recall notification. The consumer request reimbursement for the cost of the repair. The radiator was replaced. The engine mount assembly was replaced. The ignition was…

Received Jul 23, 2004 · NHTSA complaint 10083763
Dodge Stratus
2004-2006 Dodge Stratus photographed in USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 1995 Dodge Stratuss have engine and engine cooling problems?

No. NHTSA has 106 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 1995 Dodge Stratus (33% of the 318 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 1995 Dodge Stratus engine and engine cooling?

Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?

The median reported mileage is 137,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the 1995 Dodge Stratus?

Owners report a typical cost of $3,950 (half paid between $1,850 and $7,150), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 1995 Dodge Stratus?

The most frequent phrase is “head gasket”, in 42 of 106 complaints, followed by “oil leak” (12).

Other 1995 Dodge Stratus problems

See all 1995 Dodge Stratus problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Stratus years.