CarModelProblems.com

1996 Dodge Stratus Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — runs 4.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
554Complaints
11Recalls
36Crashes
36Fires
26Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (40.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 4.9× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine224 · 40.4%RecalledRecall 96V006000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline101 · 18.2%RecalledRecall 96V006000
Power Train:automatic Transmission38 · 6.9%RecalledRecall 04V021000 · Recall 98V183000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip23 · 4.2%RecalledRecall 96V075000 · Recall 96V074000
Air Bags:frontal14 · 2.5%not available
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly14 · 2.5%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

Unspecified / other18 · 3.2%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL14 · 2.5%
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY14 · 2.5%
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER12 · 2.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS12 · 2.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12 · 2.2%

Percentages are the share of the 554 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 11 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 09E056000 · 2009 · reported 10/09/2009

SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 10E059000 · 2010 · reported 12/27/2010

IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 06E091000 · 2006 · reported 11/02/2006

FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 06E088000 · 2006 · reported 10/23/2006

FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

NHTSA campaign 97V095000 · 1997 · reported 06/06/1997

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

NHTSA campaign 04V021000 · 2004 · reported 01/13/2004

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 97V201000 · 1997 · reported 11/13/1997

SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

NHTSA campaign 96V075000 · 1996 · reported 05/03/1996

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

NHTSA campaign 96V006000 · 1996 · reported 01/11/1996

INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

NHTSA campaign 98V183000 · 1998 · reported 08/06/1998

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 96V074000 · 1996 · reported 05/02/1996

IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“REPORTED OIL LEAK, LEAK IN ENGINE HEAD GASKET, DISSASSEMBLY OF ENGINE ALSO REVEALED CRACK IN THE SHOCK BLOCK ( BOTTOM HALF OF ENGINE BLOCK NEAR…”NHTSA complaint 704751 — filed 03/22/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“REPORTED A OIL LEAK TO DEALER AND HAD INSPECTED BY THEM,WAS TOLD IT WAS A HEAD GASKET,INFORMED DEALER TO GO AHEAD AND FIX BUT WAS…”NHTSA complaint 704526 — filed 03/16/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“VEHICLE HAD BEEN DROPING OIL, UP TO A QUATER EVERY OTHER DAY. A MECHANIC HAD TOLD CONSUMER THAT AN OIL LEAK CAME FROM THE ENGINE…”NHTSA complaint 835510 — filed 03/05/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1462000110512002621820041222006222008642011122013132015

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Stratus?

Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 224 of 554 NHTSA complaints (40.4%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (101), power train:automatic transmission (38), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1996 Dodge Stratus have?

554 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 36 involved a crash, 36 involved a fire, and 26 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1996 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?

Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E056000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Dodge Stratus's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.