1996 Dodge Stratus Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 554 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 168,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Dodge Stratus, 3% of the 554 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 168,000 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dt: 1996 Dodge Stratus. The consumer states while driving 55 MPH hit a deer and the air bags did not deploy. The consumer sustained whiplash. The passenger front, by the headlight and hood, actually hit the deer. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was not contacted. This occurred on july 24, 2005. A police report taken.”
NHTSA complaint #10132601, filed 2005-08, 168,000 miles“Consumer was traveling at approximately 30 MPH when pulling out from a traffic light and rear ended a pick up truck. Approximately $5000+ damage done to front end of vehicle. Also, driver's and passenger's air bags failed to deploy. Consumer states rear brakes did not seem to work.”
NHTSA complaint #887570, filed 2001-05“An accident involving consumer's wife who was driving vehicle. A vehicle crossed in front of consumer's vehicle while she was driving at approximately 35 MPH. Driver's airbag failed to deploy when accident occurred. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #882937, filed 2001-03“Traveling at 20 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal impact where neither airbag, driver's or passenger's, deployed. Two shoulder injuries occurred to driver and passenger. Dealer contacted and was not aware of the problem. Problem still exists. Effective current. Provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #835167, filed 1999-02“Consumer rearended a pickup truck and front airbags didn't deploy. Rear brakes didn't grab. Front end dipped down. Dealer gave consumer an estimate for repairs, and they stated that vehicle was hit in the center. Vehicle had to hit at an angle to deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #888733, filed 2001-05Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 | 18% |
| 2005 | 9 | 15% |
| 2004 | 15 | 10% |
| 2003 | 15 | 20% |
| 2002 | 19 | 13% |
| 2001 | 26 | 14% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 17 | 6% |
| 1997 | 24 | 7% |
| 1996 | 18 | 3% |
| 1995 | 18 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Stratus
335 complaintsBrakes
65 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsEquipment
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge Stratus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology