2000 Dodge Stratus Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Dodge Stratus most often write about the power steering system: loss of assist, a leaking high-pressure hose and, in a notable share of reports, engine-compartment fires said to follow a power steering fluid leak. Many of those reports reference recall 06V001000, and several owners describe trouble getting the repair or reimbursement done. Other recurring themes at higher mileage are fuel pump failures that stall the car and unrelated electrical faults, including fires said to start near wiring in the dash or door.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering hose leak and under-hood fire

   • 58 complaints (27%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 36 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2013

   Complaints describe power steering fluid leaking from the high-pressure hose, sometimes noticed as fluid on the ground or smoke from under the hood, followed by a fire in the engine compartment. Several owners say the fire happened shortly after parking or while driving, and some report smoke or odd smells beforehand. Many complaints reference recall 06V001000, and owners describe difficulty getting the repair, reimbursement or a resolution from the dealer or manufacturer. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 45,000 to nearly 200,000 miles, often after the vehicle was parked or shortly after driving.

   Recall 06V001000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 06V001000 was completed and keep the paperwork; inspect the power steering hoses for weeping or cracked rubber and check fluid level regularly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a recall on my vehicle on 12-22-2006 re my 2000 Dodge Stratus , but to no avail my vehicle burnt up on 12-06-2006 and I tried to resolve this problem with daimler chrysler over the phone they were rude and un professional I would like some results due to the fact the reason for this was the same as the recall per the fire department.”

   NHTSA complaint #10183776, filed 2007-02, 85,000 miles

   “I was driving down highway 2 headed east and I needed to pull over and get some gas. I noticed that my steering was making the sound that it makes when you might be low on fluid. I pulled into an armor station that was self serve pay at the pump only. The first one did not work so I started my car again and pulled up to the second pump. I noticed smoke was coming out from under my hood. I got out and it started to shoot out flames. I panicked as I was trying to get my 2 year old son out of the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10159746, filed 2006-06, 135,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Under-hood fires with unexplained origin

   • 31 complaints (14%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 27 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2012

   A separate group of complaints describes engine-compartment fires where owners say no obvious mechanical fault was present, or fires that firefighters or mechanics traced to wiring. Some owners mention smoke near the spark plug area, the fuse box or the power steering cap before the fire, and several say the car was parked and off when it started. Others report burning-plastic smells, flickering dash lights or a radio that stopped working beforehand. Spread broadly from about 65,000 to 180,000 miles, frequently while the vehicle was parked or just after being shut off.

   Recall 06V001000

   What to check: Check for a burnt smell or scorched wiring under the hood and behind the dash, confirm the fuse box has no melted fuses, and ask whether any prior fire or wiring damage was repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I owned until last night a 2000 Dodge Stratus, well now I am another fire victim I guess. Car was parked had ignition in the aux position to listen to music while I was cleaning up our storage area. Got into car to start it up and boom. First heard a pop followed by immediate engulfing fire under hood engine compartment. Whole thing burnt to the ground in less than five minutes. I have pictures if you need them. Thanks terri”

   NHTSA complaint #10204458, filed 2007-09, 150,000 miles

   “While driving the car,noticed white smoke I pull over to look under the hood noticed that smoke was coming from behind where the spark plugs are just to the right of the power steering cap(while looking at engine with the hood up). Smoke subsided continued to drive noticed smoke 2 other ocassions the same day same area of engine, pulled car into driveway and approximately 15 minutes passed my 2000 Dodge Stratus was in flames from under the hood.”

   NHTSA complaint #10151575, filed 2006-03, 149,800 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Accessory / body control faults (wipers, gauges, lights

   • 19 complaints (9%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2013

   Owners describe intermittent loss of windshield wipers, dash gauges, interior lights, horn and air conditioning, sometimes tied to hot interior temperatures and returning when the car cools. Others report the horn sounding on its own when the wheel is turned, door locks cycling, and chimes going off while driving. Complaints point to the body control module or multi-function switch, and one owner notes repeated blower resistor replacements. Mostly reported at higher mileage, from around 50,000 to 150,000 miles, with several noting symptoms appear in hot weather.

   What to check: Test every electrical function with the engine warm, including wipers, horn, gauges and blower speeds on each setting, since these faults are often intermittent.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Dodge Stratus started blowing horn without me touching. Everytime I turn the wheel the horn blows. Then two days later the light came in the car would not go off. Then locks start going up and down and door make beep as if a door his open. I had to remove the fuses to stop horn from blowing, cut inside lights off and stop locks from going up and down. The car still makes beep noise as if door open whole time driving and stops and start back when I hit a bump. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10515764, filed 2013-06, 154,000 miles

   “Starting march I had problems with turning the wheel and I took car to get oil and ask mechanic to check power steering fluid. Im told it is full and that they do not why I have turn the wheel as if I have no power steering. Each month I get someone check power steering and told it is full. I have to turn thee opposite way when getting out of a park. Sometimes I back in park in order to get out. Then I start having problems with car making noise and car sound wheel going to break. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10515774, filed 2013-06, 15,400 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure and stalling

   • 11 complaints (5%)
   • median 139,357 mi at 5.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2016

   Complaints describe the engine stalling, sometimes at speed, and then failing to restart, with a mechanic diagnosing a failed in-tank fuel pump. A few owners report the wiring or connector inside the tank burned or melted, and one reports a strong fuel smell. Repairs typically involve replacing the pump and filter, and some owners say the dealer could not explain the failure. Reported from roughly 47,000 to 165,000 miles, with most cases above 80,000 miles.

   Recall 00V067000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump has been replaced and listen for a weak or absent prime hum at key-on; have the pump connector and tank wiring inspected if there is any fuel smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The fuel pump wire burned inside the gas tank, which caused the vehicle to stall. The mechanic stated that he thought the fuel pump had gone out on the vehicle. It was discovered that the wiring harness for the fuel pump had burnt inside the tank. The pump was burnt in several places.”

   NHTSA complaint #10029658, filed 2003-08, 61,181 miles

   “Failure of fuel pump mounted in fuel tank. Ground connection inside fuel tank (male to female conectors) melted plastic harness possible spark ingition explosion in fuel tank when tank is near empty. Like twa 800 . Replace fuel pump”

   NHTSA complaint #10067928, filed 2004-04, 139,357 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Front suspension and steering linkage wear

   • 31 complaints (14%)
   • median 96,750 mi at 6.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2018

   Owners report grinding or winding noises from the front end, shaking or vibration while driving, and in some cases the tie rod or ball joint separating from the wheel. Complaints describe dealers or mechanics replacing upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rods, with one owner noting the same tie rods were replaced twice. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 200,000 miles, often after noises or vibration had been present for a while.

   What to check: Have a shop inspect ball joints, tie rod ends and control arms for play or torn boots before purchase, and take a test drive over bumps to listen for clunks or grinding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The consumer noticed a winding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. The consumer was able to drive it to the dealer. The mechanic informed the consumer that the upper ball joints needed to be replaced. Please provide further information. .......”

   NHTSA complaint #10105460, filed 2004-12, 96,000 miles

   “While driving at any speed brake pads wore out excessively. Dealer replaced the front pads and rotors twice. Also, tie rods were replaced twice . However, the problems recurred at this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10067042, filed 2004-04, 9,500 miles

Buying note. This model year draws frequent reports about the power steering hose and about under-hood fires, so confirm recall 06V001000 was performed and have the engine bay and front-end components inspected before buying. Records showing fuel pump and suspension work are worth asking about on a car of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.