2002 Dodge Stratus Problems

What owners report

Complaints about this model year group largely around the 2.7L V6, where owners describe oil consumption, oil sludge and sudden engine failure, along with rear suspension mounts that corrode and fail. Transmission leaks and shifting problems, plus coolant/water pump failures, also appear repeatedly in the sample.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   2.7L V6 engine sludge and sudden engine failure

   • 36 complaints (24%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2015

   Owners describe increased oil use without visible leaks, then knocking that ends in engine seizure or a thrown rod. Several say their mechanics attributed the damage to oil sludge blocking passages in the 2.7L V6, and some report the engine was replaced. A few mention a timing chain or tensioner failure found during the teardown; according to complaints, dealers variously denied warranty coverage or said they were unaware of a pattern. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 190,000 miles, with many complaints clustered between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Check oil level and condition at every fill-up and ask for oil change records; a used example with unexplained oil loss or a recent engine replacement deserves a compression check and a careful look at the oil filler area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car needs a new engine. It has ~42000 miles. The mechanics one from knoxville,tn where the engine died and the one in kenosha,wi where I had to have the car brought home, said the oil holes are to small to let sufficient oil thru the engine. The car is still sitting at the mechanics shop because I do not have $3000.00 to have it fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10152108, filed 2006-03, 42,000 miles

   “Engine failed at 54,800 miles on my 2002 Dodge Stratus se. Car was taken to the dealer for a slight engine knock. Car had no problem starting. We left the car there for them to diagnose the problem. They called and said that I needed to replace the engine (2.7l dohc 24 valve v-6) at no cost to me that it was under warranty. We agreed and 3 day's later they called and told me that the warranty was canceled and would not tell me why. I gave them all my maintenance records. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10062768, filed 2004-03, 54,750 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission leaks, slipping and hard shifting

   • 19 complaints (13%)
   • median 59,750 mi at 3.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2014

   Owners report transmission fluid leaking from cooler hoses and solenoid seals, sometimes followed by slipping, delayed or hard shifts and a popping or whistling noise. Several describe the dealer replacing cooler lines or rebuilding the transmission, with some repairs declined under warranty. According to complaints, a few cars went into drive or reverse unexpectedly from a light bump of the shifter. Reported from about 35,000 to 110,000 miles, with many around 43,000 to 63,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check transmission fluid level and colour, look for wetness on the cooler lines and hoses, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced; drive the car long enough to feel shifts when warm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “02/2005 - during normal commute hours, I noticed my transmission slipping during acceleration. Took it into the dealership (63,067 odometer), they said that the transmission cooler lines were leaking and both hoses needed to be replaced.( I park my car in the same spot at work and at home, and hadn't noticed any leakage) I was assured that although there were no spots, that should fix the problem along with a flush, clean, and conditioner. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10147042, filed 2006-01, 63,067 miles

   “Engine light came on 9/15/04, took it to dealer on 9/16/04 and was informed the transmission was bad and needed replaced. My car at the time of faliure had 43,125 miles on and that is it, there was no prior warning or knowledge of the transmission going bad, I have had the car serviced just as the manual says to and there was no warning. The consequences of this is it cost me $1325 dollars to have the transmission re-built. The entire transmission had to be re-built.”

   NHTSA complaint #10093164, filed 2004-09, 43,125 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front control arm and ball joint wear

   • 18 complaints (12%)
   • median 78,800 mi at 5.1 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2015

   Complaints describe clicking, popping or grinding from the front end, traced to worn lower control arms, ball joints and tie rods, with some owners reporting a joint separating while driving. Several describe repeated repairs where the noise returned after parts were replaced, and some report the front axle coming apart. Dealers are described as charging diagnostic fees or simply replacing components. Reported from very low mileage up to about 190,000 miles, with many between 40,000 and 90,000 miles.

   What to check: With the front end raised, check ball joints, tie rod ends and control arm bushings for play or torn boots, and listen for clicks or clunks while turning at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car makes a loud clicking/grinding noise while applying the brakes and turning. I have had the steering rack replaced, the upper and lower control arms replaced twice, the ball joints replaced twice, the control arm bracket replaced, the sway bars replaced. The noise stopped after the bracket was replaced but came back after a month. This car has been in seven times with no resolve.”

   NHTSA complaint #10025289, filed 2003-07, 4,600 miles

   “My car has a bad noise and popping sound in the front end. I was turning out of my moms driveway when my front passenger tire collapsed in .. My upper ball joint broke . After my car was jacked up my lower a arm and ball joint was broke .. I replaced everything . A week later the driver side ball joint had to be replaced . My car still makes a aweful sound like something is about to brake . Should I replace every part in the front . Cause it dangerous for myself and my child .”

   NHTSA complaint #10716802, filed 2015-05, 185,750 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bags not deploying or deploying unexpectedly

   • 13 complaints (9%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2014

   Owners describe air bags that failed to deploy in frontal or wet-road collisions, with body shops in one case pointing to low-mounted sensors. Other complaints describe the air bag warning light staying on, or a passenger bag deploying on its own after startup and breaking the windshield. Two recalls cover the passenger-side inflator and sun visor area on these vehicles. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 46,000 to 134,000 miles.

   Recall 16V401000Recall 15V338000

   What to check: Check whether the air bag warning light behaves normally on startup and ask whether the passenger-side air bag recall work was completed, with documentation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at 35 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision with a parked vehicle. Consumer was not wearing a seat belt, and air bags did not deploy. A citation was presented to the consumer by the police. There were no injuries to the consumer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10034554, filed 2003-08, 46,000 miles

   “Started car, air bag light came on and passenger airbag deployed for no apparent reason. Broke windshield on passenger side of vehicle. Checked to see if there are any recalls none. Want to file complaint against chrysler corporation.”

   NHTSA complaint #10170948, filed 2006-10, 134,000 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Rear strut and spring mounts corroding away

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2010

   Complaints describe the unpainted aluminum rear strut and spring mounting plates crumbling into powder, letting the strut or spring come loose. Owners typically hear a metallic clunk or hammering from the rear before finding the mount failed, and several report rust in the same area on both sides. They say the parts had to be sourced from salvage yards because new ones were backordered. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 120,000 miles, often on cars in northern, road-salt states.

   What to check: Look under the rear wheel wells at the upper strut/spring mounting plates for white powder, flaking metal or cracks, and ask whether either mount has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving to work on 4-30-2010 in my 2002 Dodge Stratus es sedan. I heard a strange metallic clunk from the rear of the car. Once I got to work I checked around the rear wheels and found that the driver/rear spring mount plate was totally corroded and a chunk was missing which caused the spring to slip (noise I heard). The other pass/rear side is just as bad. The aluminum mounts are totally corroded and flaking apart. I live in northern illinois so corrosion is a usual thing, but for parts to just flake away in chunks? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10328409, filed 2010-05, 110,950 miles

   “2002 Dodge Stratus rear strut mounting plates. Turning to powder seemed to be made of pre-cast aluminum, unpainted. Heard clanking sound thought the spare was loose after further investigation discovered driver side and passenger side mounting brackets were disintegrating this definitely should be a recall .”

   NHTSA complaint #10330609, filed 2010-05, 87,000 miles

Buying note. Check oil consumption, rear suspension mounts and transmission condition carefully before buying, and confirm recall work is documented. On a 2.7L car, maintenance records and a pre-purchase inspection are worth more than low mileage alone.

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.