1999 Dodge Stratus Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 8, 2021 · 251 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Stratus years
More complaints than other years 5th of 13 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 251 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Dodge Stratus. That ranks 5th out of 13 Stratus model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (53 complaints, 21%), typically at around 65,500 miles. Complaints mention 23 crashes, 59 fires, 18 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.

Dodge Stratus
2004-2006 Dodge Stratus photographed in USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 1999 Dodge Stratus problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling53 · ~65,500 mi
Steering49 · ~119,953 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic37 · ~123,029 mi
Electrical System34 · ~91,500 mi
Power Train34 · ~79,000 mi
Unknown or Other12 · ~92,250 mi
Air Bags10 · ~40,700 mi
Vehicle Speed Control10 · ~73,000 mi
Visibility10 · ~92,000 mi
Equipment9 · ~81,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling problems5321%65,500“head gasket” (36%)—
Steering4920%119,953——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3715%123,029——
Electrical System3414%91,500——
Power Train3414%79,000——
Unknown or Other125%92,250——
Air Bags104%40,700——
Vehicle Speed Control104%73,000——
Visibility104%92,000——
Equipment94%81,000——
Suspension94%183,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline83%94,750——
Seat Belts73%60,240——
Service Brakes52%138,260——
Structure42%90,000——
Tires42%———
Fuel System, Other31%68,000——
Engine21%200,000——
Exterior Lighting21%109,591——
Seats21%———
Fuel/propulsion System10%103,932——
Interior Lighting10%———
Latches/locks/linkages10%30,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2001, with 39 complaints
1999: 131999132000: 15152001: 392001392002: 32322003: 242003242004: 30302005: 202005202006: 19192007: 262007262008: 992009: 5200952011: 442013: 2201322014: 332015: 6201562018: 112020: 2202022021: 11

n = 251 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1999 Dodge Stratus recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsJan 5, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V001000 · 216,299 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the high pressure power steering hose may prematurely heat age and develop a leak.

Risk: Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in an underhood fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the high pressure power steering hose free of charge. The the recall began on april 10, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shiftJan 13, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V021000 · 2,315,768 vehicles

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.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsSep 15, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V244000 · 366,508 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right rear brake tube can contact the exhaust system clamp and wear a hole in it.

Risk: Daimlerchrysler recall no. 843. If this happens, the tube could leak, reducing the effectiveness of one-half of the diagonally split braking system, and resulting in longer stopping distances.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake tubes for visible evidence of contact with the exhaust system clamp. If the tube shows evidence of contact, it will be replaced. If no evidence of contact exists, the tube will be fastened with a clip.

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

  • Power steering fluid fires (EA05019) — opened Nov 7, 2005, closed Jan 12, 2006.
  • Engine compartment fires (PE05036) — opened Jun 29, 2005, closed Nov 7, 2005, led to recall 06V001000.
  • Auto trans ignition-park interlock (EA03011) — opened Jul 17, 2003, closed Jan 30, 2004, led to recall 04V021000.
  • Auto trans ignition-park interlock (RQ03005) — opened Apr 8, 2003, closed Jul 16, 2003.
  • Safety belt cinching latch plate (PE02082) — opened Nov 6, 2002, closed Apr 23, 2003.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

While driving the vehicle I came to a stop to make a left hand turn and as I started without warning the vehicle stalled and lost power of steering wheel and brakes I almost hit another car. This wasn't the 1st time car has stalled while driving but the one where is came close to causing an accident

Electrical System · received Jul 8, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11423869

I got this next site to do again email. Claim #11301605 and following up as to your next step. 3 recalls the dodge customer care people dont want to do or help me fix or conclude.

Service Brakes · received Jan 28, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11302472

I bought a car in jan 2020 which has been sitting a few/couple years and i found 3 recalls on it. 1999 dodge stratus 2.4. I emailed u s customer care/ dodge customer care and got mail back stating yes on 3 recalls and a dealer in reno nv to call. I called and service and parts dept said yes on…

Service Brakes · received Jan 24, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11301605

I was driving and hear a metal scraping noise from my front right side by the wheel when i turned left.before i got home the noise got extremely loud and constant.i took the tire off when i got home and found the ball joint was broken and was out of position cause a rubbing inside my tire rim.it…

Suspension · received Jan 12, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11062402

While traveling on interstate i85 in sc. The sunroof glass dislodged and flew off of the roof of my vehicle. The glass shattered on the roadway and fortunately no other vehicles were struck. After further inspection and investigation it was clear that the glass had separated from the frame of the…

Unknown or Other · received Dec 7, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10808890

Other Dodge Stratus years

← 1998 Stratus · 2000 Stratus →

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 1999 Dodge Stratus?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, steering, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 53 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Dodge Stratus?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 1999 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 1999 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.