1996 Dodge Stratus Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 554 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,566miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the equipment of the 1996 Dodge Stratus, 3% of the 554 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,566 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Three head gasket was replaced three times. The consumer had experienced problems with the vehicle after one year of purchase. The consumer had been without the vehicle every other month. The vehicle had a perpetual oil leak and since the vehicle was no longer under warranty, she had to seek help from an independent mechanic. The vehicle had so much oil leaking out, the consumer placed oil in the vehicle instead of gas. Chrysler would not do anything. …”
NHTSA complaint #10037844, filed 2003-08, 11,565 miles“It all began when we purchased a brand new 1996 Dodge Stratus in oct 1995. The car gave us little if any trouble the first year. The second year and every year since it has been a#1 headache. The second year alone the car was in the shop 17 times. The repairs were major ones as well as minor ones including replacement of air compressor on air conditioner, starter, replacement of head gasket twice once at 11565 miles second at 20495 miles and guess what now at 69000 miles.thank goodness the first two were covered under warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000430, filed 2002-12, 11,566 miles“My car had the head gasket replaced and a few other things on it. But I can smell burning oil from some were and the light is on for the oil. I only drive short distances because I am afraid of a fire. Not only that it well maybe only go about 2 miles before it shuts down. Then I have to wait for it to cool down to start it and get it back home.”
NHTSA complaint #10288908, filed 2009-10“The air conditioning knob gets stuck and all the air conditioning gets out at the windshield outlet which makes it cloudy from the interior and reduces visibility to almost 20%. You have to turn the air conditioning off in order to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #706708, filed 1999-05Related service bulletins
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and…
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169247Nov 20, 2019Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage…
- 10150552Apr 23, 2015Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part…
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 9 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 5 | 1% |
| 1996 | 14 | 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 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsFuel system
16 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 29, 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