1997 Dodge Stratus Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 5%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Dodge Stratus, 5% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 miles. 5 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.
“Either the oil light or cruise light will come on and car loses all power. I have to pull off road and put car in park turn it off and sometimes it will just start right back and sometimes I have to wait for about 30 mins for it to start back. I have only had the car since march of 2013 and it has done this 10-12 times since then. I almost got rear ended a few times cause with no power it is hard to get car off the road. I have contacted Dodge but there is no recall for this problem yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10536772, filed 2013-08, 170,000 miles“Going down the highway at 65 MPH, I put on my cruise control, the car in front of me slowed down so I pushed on my brake, which was supposed to eliminate cruise sontrol immediately. My cruise light went off but the car continued to accelerate. Applied brake harder, realized there was no stopping, pulled over to break down lane. Applied emergency brake, ended up with just sqealing tires and transmission shifting horribly. Let me just note that at this time I also had my 10 year old daughter in the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #753201, filed 2001-10“While approaching a major intersection I attempted to slow down, I removed my foot from the gas and pushed on the brake, instead of the car slowing the engine began to race and the car surged forward. At first I thought I may have my foot on the gas so I completly removed my foot, the car continued to speed up at a very fast rate. Just as the car was entering the intersection I slammed back on the brakes, but was only able to slow the car. It continued toward the intersection. …”
NHTSA complaint #702582, filed 1999-01“The problem actually started in december of 1997, it had around 50,000 miles. The vehicle is sluggish while in drive and will stall at any given moment. We had the map & throttle sensor replaced at that time. We have had recurrent problems with the sensors since then, until this past may when we replaced them for a second time. The vehicle still stalled during normal driving conditions. Upon further inspection we found the head gasket was cracked. We once again proceeded with the recommended repairs. Unfortunately the problem still remains. …”
NHTSA complaint #749953, filed 2001-08“When the car was put into reverse the engine raced, with my foot still on the brake the car was propelled backwards at a high rate of speed. The RPM gadge registered 8,000. I quickly put the car into park,it heisitated then the car was propelled us forward at a high rate of speed for about thirty feet on our driveway, unable to stop, having the brakes lock, the car crashed into my other parked car and the porch of my house. Finally after the Stratus pushed the other car ten feet towards the road ,my husband was able to pull the keys out of the car. My daughter received a slight concussion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10025452, filed 2003-07Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 | 4% |
| 2005 | 2 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 9% |
| 2003 | 8 | 11% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 11 | 6% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 9 | 3% |
| 1997 | 18 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 2% |
| 1995 | 11 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Stratus
158 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsSuspension
19 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 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