1996 Dodge Stratus Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine oil leaks, with the head gasket and the cylinder head oil galley plugs named repeatedly, and many say the leak returned after a first repair. Coolant use and radiator leaks, intermittent electrical faults (gauges, lights, horn) and front suspension and brake wear also appear, usually on high-mileage cars.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Engine oil leaks, often blamed on the head gasket

   • 234 complaints (42%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 20 quotes)
   • filed 1996–2015

   Owners describe oil pooling under the car, a burning oil smell after parking, and having to add oil frequently. Many say a shop diagnosed a leaking head gasket or cylinder head oil galley plugs, and several report the same leak returning after a first gasket replacement. Complaints also mention dealers declining repairs, citing warranty or VIN coverage. Reported from very low mileage on some cars up to over 130,000 miles, most commonly in the 50,000-130,000 mile range.

   Recall 96V006000

   What to check: Check the ground where the car is parked for fresh oil and look at the oil level and smell on the dipstick. Ask whether the head gasket has been replaced and at what mileage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Dodge Stratus 1996 leaks oil like a siva. I believe this to be a global issue with this vehicle and the v6 engine used in it. I have cared for this care very well and it has been maintained better than recommended by Dodge.”

   NHTSA complaint #10064221, filed 2004-03, 50,000 miles

   “I purchased my 1996 Dodge Stratus in the summer of 1996 and so far I have had nothing but trouble with this vehicle, one head gasket repair through the dealership at a cost of $1600, one timing chain replacement at a cost of $600 and now again another head gasket leak. In the year 2000 this car sat in the garage for a total of 11 months due to not having the money to fix the head gasket problem which caused a severe financial and a mentally frustrating time during those months without a car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070551, filed 2004-01, 58,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Oil galley plug leaks and engine fires

   • 98 complaints (18%)
   • median 130,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 36 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1996–2012

   Owners report oil escaping from the cylinder head oil galley plugs, in some cases in quantity, with smoke or fire in the engine compartment. Several say the dealer told them the recall did not cover their vehicle by VIN or build date. Reported from roughly 92,000 to 193,000 miles, sometimes while parked and sometimes while driving.

   Recall 96V006000

   What to check: Ask whether campaign 96V006000 was performed on this vehicle and check the engine for oil residue around the cylinder head. Watch the oil level between changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “One of the oil galley plugs on the 2.4l engine of our daughter's 1996 Dodge Stratus came out, and the car spewed most of its oil out into the engine compartment. Chrysler had a recall (#671) on these back in 1995 as several fires occurred. Our VIN fell within the range of vins affected, but we were told it was not part of the recall. The recall ended with cars manufactured oct. 13, 1995 and our car (we were told) was manufactured oct. 14th. The fix as of that date was a change to the cylinder head machining and the plug thickness. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10171334, filed 2006-10, 130,000 miles

   “Consumer states vehicle caught fire while driving. Dealer diagnosed fire was result of the engine cylinder head plug being loose. This caused oil to leak which resulted in engine fire. Related recall 96v006000, consumer's v.I.n. Not included. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #10001866, filed 2003-01, 96,908 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss and radiator or hose leaks

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe having to top up coolant frequently, visible leaks under the front of the car, and radiator or hose replacement. Some mention the coolant warning light and repeated refills as the leak worsened. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles, often on cars used for short trips.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for dried coolant residue or stains around the radiator, hoses and water pump.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My mechanic stated that my engine is leaking oil from pretty much everywere, I have to add a quart of oil every 4 - 5 days. I have no interior lights, my odometer and tachometer do not function and display. My radio does not work, and now my brake lights aren't functioning. I checked and all of my fuses are fine. I can't afford the engine repairs for the oil. I have to get the electrical problem fixed. Chrysler should take care of these problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #10068189, filed 2004-05, 92,880 miles

   “R&r front left wheel bearing fix, hub & bearing assembly total cost $214.55 clean engine total cost $83.46 engine oil leak, tried oil stop leak & seems to be working for the time being. Radiator/antifreeze leak, I'm spending $150 month for antifreeze. Putting in 1-2 bottles a day. Probably will have radiator fixed soon. Muffler fell off, can't afford a new one. Needs new spark plugs, can't afford that either. Needs manifold gasket, can't afford that either. Needs oil pan gasket, can't afford that either. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10681330, filed 2015-02, 167,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front suspension ball joint separation

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a front wheel collapsing or the tire pulling away from the car at low speed after a lower ball joint or control arm failure, and rear trailing arm brackets rusting through. Some owners say the dealer told them their VIN was not part of the related recall. Reported from about 104,000 to 132,000 miles, in some cases while pulling away at low speed.

   Recall 97V201000

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the front lower ball joints and the rear trailing arm brackets for play and rust before driving, and ask whether recall 97V201000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving over a bump, I noticed a noise from the rear of the car. I inspected the area and found that the bracket which secures the trailing arm link had disintegrated from rust. The trailing arm link was floating at the frame end. It serves to provide stability for the entire rear suspension. I replaced the brackets on both sides (left and right) as the other side was also near failure. The rest of the frame and undercarriage are nearly rust free. The failed and nearly failed parts are available.”

   NHTSA complaint #10139292, filed 2005-10, 132,000 miles

   “Dt: the consumer complained about front lower control arm failure on 1996 Dodge Stratus. The front wheels locked up. The consumer took the car to the mechanic and the mechanic referred the consumer to the dealership. The dealership said that the car was repaired. The consumer stated that the car made noises when the brake were applied, and in reverse it popped. The consumer was taking the car back to mechanic for diagnosis. The consumer has not been in contact with chrysler as of now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10136584, filed 2005-09, 136,778 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake rotor corrosion and master cylinder leaks

   • 30 complaints (5%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2009

   Owners report warped or corroded rotors replaced more than once, brake fluid loss from the master cylinder, and in some cases a loss of braking. Several note the master cylinder recall did not cover their vehicle by VIN. Mostly between about 78,000 and 130,000 miles, with some accounts of fluid leaks noticed during routine checks.

   Recall 96V075000Recall 96V074000

   What to check: Check brake fluid level and look for fluid around the master cylinder, and inspect rotors for heavy rust or scoring. Ask whether recalls 96V075000 and 96V074000 were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes failed on my sons '96 Dodge Stratus. He went over approximately a 20 foot embankment and landed in a creek. Luckily he only received minor injuries. I searched the web and found your site on recalls and the master cylinder for the brakes were recalled for this particular vehicle, however, his VIN # wasn't included in the recall. It cost about $600.00 to replace this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10138168, filed 2005-09, 110,000 miles

   “Trunk lid came down on driver's head, causing a mild concussion. Also,replaced warped brake rotors/steering rack and power steering and EGR valve. In addition, engine check light came on.”

   NHTSA complaint #780029, filed 1998-07

Buying note. Look closely at engine oil and coolant condition and ask for records of head gasket work, since repeat leaks are a common theme in these complaints. Before driving, have a shop check the front ball joints, brakes and whether the open recalls for this model year were performed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.