Dodge Stratus Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 304 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge Stratus across 12 model years. The 1996 model year has the most (62). The words owners use most often: “brake pads” (11% of reports).
- 304service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 41mention a crash
- 25mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 22%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.
- Brake pads: mentioned in 33 of 304 complaints (11%)
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 20 of 304 complaints (7%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 20 of 304 complaints (7%)
- Brakes failed: mentioned in 20 of 304 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 41 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 304 complaints, 41 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 25 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 (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2000
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with an inadequate weld between the right front brake hose block and the stand-off bracket.
Risk: Separation of the stand-off bracket from the block could cause fatigue damage of the right front brake tube and result in a half system brake loss.
Fix: Dealers will add a brake line bracket to the right front brake tube.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1998, 1999
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Model years: 1995, 1996
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
Model years: 1995, 1996
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.
I started the car, placed my foot on the brake and it went to the floor. I exited the vehicle and found a large pool of fluid on the right front of the car. Abs and brake light came on. Master cylinder was near empty. I had the car towed to my local mechanic and he found that all the brake lines…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge stratus. The contact was traveling 35 mph when a preceding vehicle abruptly stopped 100 feet ahead of him. The contact depressed the brakes hard but the driver side wheel locked and the remaining three wheels did not respond. The contact crashed into the vehicle as…
Without warning, while driving my 2006 dodge stratus sxt at 35 mph the bolts on the caliper bracket broke. I had no brakes and had to have it towed. One of the bolts crumbled in the mechanics hands when he removed it and the caliper bracket was bent. The bolts broke and bracket bent on the front…
Brake line between gas tank and frame of car had rubbed a pin hole in line because of tight fit , i guess. Gas tank had to be dropped to find problem, master cylinder was replaced first thinking this was the problem but, it wasn't. *tr
MY NAME IS [XXX] I HAVE A 06 DODGE STRATUS IN 07 I HAD A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT DUE TO MY BREAKS MY CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR AND ENDED UP IN THE NEIGHBOR HOUSE I WAS TRYING TO STOP BUT MY BREAKS WENT OUT ON ME THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE FIX BUT SINCE THEN MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR OIL LEAKE I'M STILL…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Stratuss have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 304 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Dodge Stratus. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Stratus service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Dodge Stratus?
The most frequent phrase is “brake pads”, in 33 of 304 complaints, followed by “stopping distance” (20).
Other Dodge Stratus problems
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (958)
- Steering problems (297)
- Power Train problems (296)
- Suspension problems (279)
- Electrical System problems (251)
- Air Bags problems (193)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (108)
See all Dodge Stratus problems.