Is the 2000 Dodge Stratus a bad year?
215 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Stratus years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2000 Dodge Stratus are in line with other Stratus years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 Stratus owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 90,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 66 (31%) | 71k–125k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 30 (14%) | 66k–136k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 22 (10%) | 50k–102k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 12 (6%) | 58k–118k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 9 (4%) | 54k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (10%) | 45k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 30 (14%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 24 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 90,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 215 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 64 mention a fire · 11 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2018.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2000 Dodge Stratus: 9
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. If there is a separation of the ball stud from the housing, the driver can loose steering control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. 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.
These filters may develop a leak in the hose assembly and/or connectors due to improperly adhered line connectors. This condition may result in a vehicle fire.
Certain tigas fuel pump modules manufactured between june 1 and september 24, 2006, sold under various brand names and p/nos. These fuel pump modules are sold as aftermarket for use in certain daimlerchrysler vehicles listed above. Fuel restriction could result in loss of power and/or engine stall, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the high pressure power steering hose may prematurely heat age and develop a leak. Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in an underhood fire.
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with an inadequate weld between the right front brake hose block and the stand-off bracket. Separation of the stand-off bracket from the block could cause fatigue damage of the right front brake tube and result in a half system brake loss.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The paint provides corrosion protection necessary to ensure the straps do not loosen over time.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The incorrect labels could cause confusion as to whether the childproof safety lock was activated.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 8
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Dodge Stratus. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Power steering fluid fires
Engine compartment fires
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2001 Stratus: 186 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Dodge Stratus year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · All Stratus years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Dodge Stratus a bad year?
215 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Stratus years. At 90,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Stratus?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (66), electrical system (30), engine (22), suspension (12), air bags (9).
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Stratus have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 10E059000), Suspension (NHTSA 09E056000), Equipment (NHTSA 09E043000), Fuel system (NHTSA 06E088000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.