1996 Dodge Stratus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 8%of 554 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Dodge Stratus, 8% of the 554 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Rupture in power steering hose caused power steering fluid to to contact hot exhaust manifold, resulting in a fire that melted ignition wires, distributor, and power steering return fluid line. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10000493, filed 2003-01, 123,521 miles“My 1996 Dodge Stratus has 37,000 miles. In february 2002 I took it to sears for an oil change. Also asking them to see where oil was leaking (noticed oil on concrete in garage). They said valve cover gasket so I got that fixed for about $72.00 all along thinking that there were not that many miles driven. And to bad the warranty had just expired. I think it was 5 years or 25,000 miles. Within the next 2 months oil was leaking again. Took it in and end up paying $702.00 because the head gasket was bad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008284, filed 2003-03“4 months after I purchased this car, I started having major problems with it. I've had to pay $830 for a head gasket at 82,000 miles, $318 for suspension + alignment because my tierods busted off while I was driving at 92,000 miles. I still cannot get the fuel injection problem fixed, because I'm out of money. I had taken this car in twice for the stalling, engine dying, and shaking problem, and it has never been fixed (started 4 months after I purchased the car).”
NHTSA complaint #724357, filed 2000-06“Since the purchase of this vehicle it has been in the repair shop 9 times. Several of these repairs have been repeat repairs. The manual transmission started giving us problems on 10/18/1999. It took them until 08/28/2001 to repair it. Then we had to bring it back on 10/22/2001 because a seal was leaking on the transmission. At that time I had them listen to the car, because the transmission was making the same noise it started with in 10/1999. They said they didn't hear anything, which is what they told us up until 08/28/2001. …”
NHTSA complaint #757717, filed 2002-02“Transmission: auto was parked, but would not go into reverse. Auto would have to be stopped and restatred to procedd a few hundred feet. Called for tow. Cyl. Head: auto leaked oil, went to dealer. Dealer said it was cyl. Head, but I never saw the problem. Tie rods: noise in front end. Tie rods were ready to fall off. Still a noise; maybe stabilizer bars or ball joint. I have owned many vehicles, but this was my first chrysler product--- and the last! Numerous other problems, but dealer did respond.”
NHTSA complaint #708766, filed 1999-07Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 9 | 12% |
| 2005 | 13 | 21% |
| 2004 | 13 | 9% |
| 2003 | 7 | 9% |
| 2002 | 9 | 6% |
| 2001 | 26 | 14% |
| 2000 | 66 | 31% |
| 1999 | 49 | 20% |
| 1998 | 19 | 7% |
| 1997 | 21 | 6% |
| 1996 | 42 | 8% |
| 1995 | 23 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Stratus
335 complaintsBrakes
65 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsAir bags
18 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 28, 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