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2002 Dodge Stratus Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

26Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints
17.3%Of all 150 complaints
#1Most-reported category

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

How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE26 · 17.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING16 · 10.7%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION15 · 10%
AIR BAGS12 · 8%
SUSPENSION:REAR10 · 6.7%

Share of the 150 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2002 Dodge Stratus overview page.

What owners report

“I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE ENGINE DIES. I COASTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT RAMP AND ATTEMPTED…”NHTSA complaint 10302048 — filed 01/23/2010
“DURING DAILY DRIVING MY DODGE STRATUS 2.7 MOTOR FAILED. AFTER TAKING TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSE BY ENGINE SLUDGE AND THAT…”NHTSA complaint 10242360 — filed 09/15/2008
“2.7L ENGINE FAILURE. TENSIONER FOR PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN FAILED TO EXTEND. 2 O RINGS MISSING ON TENSIONER . OIL SLUDGE IN ENGINE. OIL PASSAGES ALMOST…”NHTSA complaint 10238167 — filed 08/14/2008

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

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed

320032200412005420064200772008220092201012011

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2002 Dodge Stratus: 26 of 150 complaints on file (17.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have in total?

150 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 11 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE 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.