Is the 2002 Dodge Stratus a bad year?
150 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 50, 2.6× a quiet Stratus year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 63k–100k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 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 81,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 48 (32%) | 65k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 31 (21%) | 61k–111k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 19 (13%) | 49k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 9 (6%) | 38k–103k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (14%) | 40k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 9 (6%) | 52k–78k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (5%) | 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 81,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 150 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 6 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2016.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Normal driving then the engine started clanking and quit. Service station said the 2.7 V6 is a terrible engine and need to be totally replaced.
Had parked vehicle. Noticed flames coming from under the hood near the engine compartment. Fire dept called and arrived to put out flames.
Always changed the oil every 3,00 miles. And the engine seized. It knocked for less than a minute prior to total failure with the correct amount of oil in the engine.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 81,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Dodge Stratus: 6
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.
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 2002 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
2001 Stratus: 186 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2003 Stratus: 75 complaints, keep it.
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 2002 Dodge Stratus a bad year?
150 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 50, 2.6× a quiet Stratus year. At 81,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 63k–100k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Stratus?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (48), suspension (31), air bags (19), electrical system (9), transmission and drivetrain (21). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 63k–100k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have?
6 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.