Free Preview
#BS-2004-DODSTR-1B2E2004 Dodge Stratus
Based on reports from 196 owners and 7 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 196 complaints, 27 crashes, 1 fires, and 7 recalls.
Top reported problems
car stalls while driving
27 complaints β’ Severity 9.3/10
clanging noise from the engine
8 complaints β’ Severity 9.5/10
timing chain broke
4 complaints β’ Severity 9/10
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
18 owners reported suspension issues β failures commonly reported around 62K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0β30K miles (37 reports) β’ Median: 62K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Suspension (18 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
2004 Dodge Stratus: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Suspension Issues
Suspension complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2004 Dodge Stratus, with 18 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 61,900 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 62K-mile mark.
Suspension:rear Issues
Suspension:rear complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2004 Dodge Stratus, with 17 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to suspension:rear-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2004 Dodge Stratus, with 16 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Speed Control Issues
Speed Control complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2004 Dodge Stratus, with 12 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to speed control-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 2004 Dodge Stratus. Recent trend: stable.



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 (7 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.
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.
+ 2 more recalls 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.
2004 Dodge Stratus vs. Class Average (Compact Cars)
This vehicle
196
Class avg
205
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other compact cars vehicles from 2004.
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. 196 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 7 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 β2004 Dodge Stratus: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Dodge Stratus?
Is the 2004 Dodge Stratus reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2004 Dodge Stratus problems?
Does the 2004 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 2004 Dodge Stratus Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 196 owner reports. Know before you buy.