Free Preview
#BS-2003-DODSTR-1B2E2003 Dodge Stratus
Based on reports from 110 owners and 6 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 110 complaints, 8 crashes, 0 fires, and 6 recalls.
Top reported problems
oil sludge resulting in engine failure
10 complaints β’ Severity 9.4/10
gas gauge is inaccurate
4 complaints β’ Severity 6/10
dashboard curled up under windshield
3 complaints β’ Severity 10/10
Preview: What's in your full report
Each card shows a real sample from your report β unlock all 10 sections from $1.20
Mechanic Inspection Checklist
11 owners reported airbags issues β failures commonly reported around 59K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 30β60K miles (23 reports) β’ Median: 59K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Airbags (11 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2003 Dodge Stratus: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2003 Dodge Stratus, with 11 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 58,750 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 59K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2003 Dodge Stratus, with 8 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Suspension:rear Issues
Suspension:rear complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2003 Dodge Stratus, with 7 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to suspension:rear-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2003 Dodge Stratus, with 6 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2003 Dodge Stratus. Recent trend: decreasing.



Don't negotiate blind β know what this car costs to own
Repair costs β’ Negotiation scripts β’ Mechanic checklist β’ Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (6 recalls)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
+ 1 more recall in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Dodge Stratus is the 2001 β worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2003 Dodge Stratus vs. Class Average (Compact Cars)
This vehicle
110
Class avg
231
Below the class average β fewer complaints than typical compact cars vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume β popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 110 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 6 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Dodge Stratus Model Years
View all Dodge Stratus years β2003 Dodge Stratus: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Dodge Stratus?
Is the 2003 Dodge Stratus reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2003 Dodge Stratus problems?
Does the 2003 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?
What mileage do Dodge Stratus problems start?
Whatβs in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isnβt useful?




Get the Full 2003 Dodge Stratus Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 110 owner reports. Know before you buy.