1996 Dodge Stratus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 11%of 554 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Dodge Stratus, 11% of the 554 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“I own two Dodge Stratus. One transmission just failed. The transmission shop daid it was because of the transmission lines to the radiator had loosened up. The car had been involved in a minor accident. Now my other Stratus has developed a transmission leak. Same problem!! I have to believe there is a manufacter defect!!”
NHTSA complaint #757811, filed 2002-02“I have only had this car for one year and I cannot believe that for a 1996 Dodge Stratus I have already had a head gasket ($600.00) and a transmission replaced. Need help with any recalls on these. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.”
NHTSA complaint #721045, filed 2000-04“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 2002-02Related recalls
- 04V021000Jan 13, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock may fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key…Covers: Dodge Stratus 1995–1999, Intrepid 1993–1999, Chrysler Concorde 1993–1999 +6 more
- 98V183000Aug 6, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the…Covers: Dodge Stratus 1995–1998, Chrysler Cirrus 1995–1998, Sebring 1996–1998 +1 more
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 8% |
| 2002 | 21 | 14% |
| 2001 | 20 | 11% |
| 2000 | 21 | 10% |
| 1999 | 34 | 14% |
| 1998 | 24 | 9% |
| 1997 | 36 | 10% |
| 1996 | 60 | 11% |
| 1995 | 55 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Stratus
335 complaintsBrakes
65 complaintsSteering
42 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 30, 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