1996 Dodge Stratus Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Stratus years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 554 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Stratus. That is the most of any Stratus model year in the database (13 years). The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (335 complaints, 60%), typically at around 90,000 miles. Complaints mention 36 crashes, 36 fires, 26 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 554owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 36complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Dodge Stratus problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 335 | 60% | 90,000 | “head gasket” (47%) | $1,500 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 62 | 11% | 100,000 | “head gasket” (13%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 60 | 11% | 60,500 | “head gasket” (18%) | — |
| Steering | 42 | 8% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 36 | 6% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 32 | 6% | 124,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 18 | 3% | 168,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 18 | 3% | 152,504 | — | — |
| Equipment | 14 | 3% | 11,566 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 13 | 2% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 13 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 2% | 78,043 | — | — |
| Visibility | 12 | 2% | 58,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 5 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 5 | 1% | 167,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 0% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 167,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Dodge Stratus recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock may fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. An inoperative interlock may also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the park position.
Risk: Either circumstance may result in the vehicle rolling away without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a new load-limiting push rod into the floor shifter lever of the affected vehicles. Owner notification began on june 14, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button. A combination of applying a mis-adjusted release button with a low force attempt to shift out of park with the key in the locked position, can break the connecting pin in the shifter.
Risk: If this happens, the "ignition-park" interlock system will be nonfunctional.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Risk: Separation of the ball joint could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage. If the cover seal leaks or the boot is damaged, the lower control arm will be replaced.
Structure:body:hood:hinge and attachments
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
Risk: If this condition occurs simultaneously without engaging the primary latch, the hood would not be restrained increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Problem: The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Risk: Brake fluid leakage can result in diminished effectiveness of one half of the split brake system. The instrument panel warning light(s) will signal system impairment prior to partial brake system loss.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: Corrosion of the abs hydraulic control unit can cause the solenoid valves to stick in the open position.
Risk: If either front wheel valve sticks, the vehicle would swerve from a straight stop when the brakes are applied.
Fix: Dealers will install a plate and silicone grease injected into the solenoid cavity to eliminate the potential for this condition.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Auto trans ignition-park interlock (EA03011) — opened Jul 17, 2003, closed Jan 30, 2004, led to recall 04V021000.
- Safety belt cinching latch plate (PE02082) — opened Nov 6, 2002, closed Apr 23, 2003.
- Lower control arm ball joint failure (EA97016) — opened Sep 29, 1997, closed Nov 20, 1997, led to recall 97V201000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
R&r front left wheel bearing fix, hub & bearing assembly total cost $214.55 clean engine total cost $83.46 engine oil leak, tried oil stop leak & seems to be working for the time being. Radiator/antifreeze leak, i'm spending $150 month for antifreeze. Putting in 1-2 bottles a day. Probably will…
General tire altimax rt size 195/70r14 bulge on sidewall when installed a brand new tire. After installation observed one of four tires with a bulge on sidewall of tire. Bulge not an indentation. Vehicle was not driven and no obvious installation or bead damage from the outside. Installer said…
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the front drivers side tire separated from the vehicle, struck the curve and traveled into traffic. The vehicle was later towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic inspected the…
Tl* the contact owned a 1996 dodge stratus. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle unexpectedly engulfed into flames. The vehicle was unoccupied and the fire department extinguished the flames, which originated underneath the hood. The vehicle was completely destroyed and remained at the…
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the horn would activate without command at anytime and the airbag light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The dealer repaired the failure, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance…
Other Dodge Stratus years
← 1995 Stratus · 1997 Stratus →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 Stratus | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 Stratus | 74 | 0 |
| 2005 Stratus | 62 | 3 |
| 2004 Stratus | 144 | 3 |
| 2003 Stratus | 75 | 2 |
| 2002 Stratus | 150 | 2 |
| 2001 Stratus | 186 | 10 |
| 2000 Stratus | 216 | 5 |
| 1999 Stratus | 251 | 3 |
| 1998 Stratus | 272 | 3 |
| 1997 Stratus | 349 | 4 |
| 1996 | 554 | 7 |
| 1995 Stratus | 318 | 7 |
See all Dodge Stratus problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 335 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Dodge Stratus a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Stratus model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.