1997 Dodge Stratus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 6%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Dodge Stratus, 6% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Dodge Stratus had am engine fire on 12-10-2006 as I walked away from the car after driving about 20-25 miles to my destination . A man ran up and asked me if that was my car that was on fire as I took a look I immediatealy called the fire dept and the fire was put out with out any one bring hurt.”
NHTSA complaint #10183221, filed 2007-02, 120,000 miles“Notice a smell from under the hood while driving open the hood fire put the fire out notice power hose had leak in it I feel Dodge should be held accountable for this malfunction”
NHTSA complaint #11362702, filed 2020-10, 90,000 miles“1997 Dodge Stratus 2.0 sohc motor, blown head gasket, broken power steering pump, EGR valve stopped working, leaks alot of oil out of camshaft position sensor, heater core ruptured, heater hose ruptured also, oil pressure sending unit stopped working .”
NHTSA complaint #10050905, filed 2003-12, 50,000 miles“Abs brake system broke at about 13000 miles. Olympic Dodge says that I must replace both the left and right front spindles. That they are cracked. I brought the car into the dealer on 07/10/2002. They have ordered the parts which cost over $300.00. How can 2 spindles fail at the same time. How can they fail with only 13000 miles on the odometer.”
NHTSA complaint #764160, filed 2002-07“The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Stratus. The power steering high pressure hose was leaking into the engine. The 2.4 liter engine had a leak directly above the exhaust system. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was called and informed him that there were no recalls or warranties for the failure. The failure mileage was 147,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10365923, filed 2010-11, 147,000 milesSteering: 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 1997 Dodge Stratus
158 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge Stratus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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