1996 Dodge Stratus Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 1996 Dodge Stratus, 11% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 100,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “head gasket” (13% of reports).
- 62service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- 100,000median miles at failure
- 9mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 21%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Head gasket: mentioned in 8 of 62 complaints (13%)
- Brake rotors: mentioned in 5 of 62 complaints (8%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 5 of 62 complaints (8%)
- Brakes failed: mentioned in 5 of 62 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 3 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 62 complaints, 9 mention a crash, 4 an injury.
Dodge Stratus service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Stratus | 4 | 5% | 27,427 |
| 2005 Stratus | 1 | 2% | 128,500 |
| 2004 Stratus | 8 | 6% | 29,493 |
| 2003 Stratus | 6 | 8% | 33,000 |
| 2002 Stratus | 10 | 7% | 26,000 |
| 2001 Stratus | 9 | 5% | 55,225 |
| 2000 Stratus | 27 | 13% | 20,000 |
| 1999 Stratus | 37 | 15% | 123,029 |
| 1998 Stratus | 42 | 15% | 55,000 |
| 1997 Stratus | 42 | 12% | 74,153 |
| 1996 Stratus | 62 | 11% | 100,000 |
| 1995 Stratus | 56 | 18% | 52,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge stratus. The contact purchased the vehicle and noticed that the motor was not mounted down and was missing two screws. The motor jerks back and forth so severely that it seems as if the engine will fall out of the vehicle. In addition, the timing chain, fuel pump…
Brakes failed on my sons '96 dodge stratus. He went over approximately a 20 foot embankment and landed in a creek. Luckily he only received minor injuries. I searched the web and found your site on recalls and the master cylinder for the brakes were recalled for this particular vehicle, however…
2nd request fax fwd email fm behalf of [xxx] (tx) re numerous defects on a 1996 dodge stratus (vin#[xxx]). *mr the a/c leaked, electrical circuits malfunctioned, transmission problems, premature brake wear, head gasket problems, and poor driveability. There was steering oscillation when driven…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1996 Dodge Stratuss have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 62 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the 1996 Dodge Stratus (11% of the 554 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 1996 Dodge Stratus service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?
The median reported mileage is 100,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
The most frequent phrase is “head gasket”, in 8 of 62 complaints, followed by “brake rotors” (5).
Other 1996 Dodge Stratus problems
See all 1996 Dodge Stratus problems or service brakes, hydraulic problems across all Stratus years.