CarModelProblems.com

1997 Dodge Stratus Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/12/2026

23Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints
6.6%Of all 349 complaints
#3Most-reported category

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

How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION23 · 6.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL19 · 5.4%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL18 · 5.2%

Share of the 349 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Dodge Stratus overview page.

What owners report

“I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE WITHOUT ANY HELP. THE REPRESENTATIVE I TALKED TO WAS VERY INSENSITIVE TO THE PROBLEM I CALLED IN ABOUT. I KNOW OF…”NHTSA complaint 720564 — filed 03/24/2000
“WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A BUSY STREET AND WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT HAD…”NHTSA complaint 719537 — filed 03/01/2000
“TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR--CAR "KICKS AND BOLTS" AS THOUGH THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON BRAKES AT 30 MILES PER HOUR. ALSO, CAR NEEDS A NEW HEAD GASKET…”NHTSA complaint 719163 — filed 02/23/2000

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

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed

419988199952000320011200522006

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Dodge Stratus have power train:automatic transmission problems?

Power Train:automatic Transmission is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Dodge Stratus: 23 of 349 complaints on file (6.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1997 Dodge Stratus have in total?

349 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 28 involved a crash, 32 involved a fire, 23 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.