1998 Dodge Stratus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 9%of 272 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Dodge Stratus, 9% of the 272 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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.
“In september of 2003 my brother the orginal owner of the 1998 Dodge Stratus sold me the car. And then right after he died. He purchased the car 6 months before he died in march 03. When I received the car I took it to the shop to get an oil change and the transmiison fliud changed. When I did this the oil man told me that I had no oil or transmisson fluid to change it had all leaked out. The oil man told me to get to a machanic as soon as I could. I took the car to get it fixed and the amco transmisson place chaged over 1,000.00 dollars to have it repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10121176, filed 2005-05, 70,000 miles“Vehicle rolled forward while parked and struck a house. There was no key in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The manufacturer denied the claim. Recall o4v021000 was issued for this problem. A recall noticed was received a week later for the park interlock .”
NHTSA complaint #10089485, filed 2004-09, 88,000 miles“I have a 1998 Dodge Stratus es. The transmission will place itself in neutral at random times while at a stop. The only way to get the transmission working again is to restart the car. The car has the power-stick transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10173434, filed 2006-11, 78,000 miles“The key can be removed from the vehicle without vehicle being in park. Also, shifts gears without the key being in the ignition. Vehicle was taken to dealer on the transmission shift interlock.”
NHTSA complaint #10089577, filed 2004-08, 104,000 miles“I bought a Stratus from a used car dealer, which I understand buyer beware. Just resently I had the tensioner bar bolt break off as I was driving the car, which could of cause a great deal of damage but I got lucky. Plus, I take the freeway to work each day, what if that would have snap off in the middle of traffic? My car completely shut off, immediately. …”
NHTSA complaint #10102243, filed 2004-12Related 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 1998 Dodge Stratus
121 complaintsBrakes
43 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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