Is the 2001 Dodge Stratus a bad year?
186 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 59, 3.1× a quiet Stratus year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 42k–86k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 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 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 57 (31%) | 41k–86k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 41 (22%) | 56k–111k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 26 (14%) | 57k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 26 (14%) | 59k–114k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 20 (11%) | 42k–76k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 19 (10%) | 58k–114k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 13 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 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 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 186 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Original owner of a 2001 Dodge status with a 2.7 liter engine, want to register my complaint of an engine oil light going on at idle.
Oil changes every 3,000 miles. Suddenly one day the oil light came on and the head gaskets blew. Spent over $1700 in repairs, the following week the engine blew a rod.
I am the owner of a 2001 Dodge Stratus se with the 2.7L V6 engine. On february 9, 2006 I took the car to park plaza Dodge in forrest park, il.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Dodge Stratus: 14
The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position. If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach. If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
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 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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose manufacturing process allowed the reinforcement yard to breach the inner layer of some automatic transmission hoses weakening the inner wall which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid. Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles. In the event of a crash, the bolts may not properly secure the seat and could cause increased injury to the driver of the vehicle.
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. The outer layer only of this 3-LAYER fuel return hose does not contain the desired ozone protection due to a processing error. This hose is considered to be inadequate.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Passenger air bags were built with suspect aluminum extrusion sections which may not retain the air bag door during an air bag deployment event. A separated air bag door could injure a vehicle occupant.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit. Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield will cause the wiring insulation to wear and eventually to ground out. This could cause the engine to die-out, increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Through degradation of the bond between the silencer pad and a sheet metal panel (Quarter inner upper), the pad may fall onto the map light located in the rear seating area near the c-pillar trim panel (Lh and rh). Smoke inhalation could be harmful to vehicle occupants.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A nut in the steering gear assembly was not properly tightened, resulting in symptoms ranging from steering wheel vibration to stiff steering, and in the worst case, no ability to turn left. A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash.
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: 10
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 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: 1
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2000 Stratus: 215 complaints, keep it · 2002 Stratus: 150 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 2001 Dodge Stratus a bad year?
186 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 59, 3.1× a quiet Stratus year. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 42k–86k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Stratus?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (57), suspension (41), air bags (26), steering (26), transmission and drivetrain (20). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 42k–86k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Stratus have?
14 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-401), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-338), Suspension (NHTSA 10E059000), Suspension (NHTSA 09E056000) 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.