EnginePart report

2002 Dodge Stratus Engine Problems

Complaints: 3about this part
Share: 2%of 150 total for the year
Median mileage: 105,000miles
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Dodge Stratus, 2% of the 150 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The internal water pump failed. This caused water to leak into the oil pan. The water got hot enough on a 600 miles trip from florida to mississippi that it boiled and caused the oil to turn into sludge (molasses like consistency). This caused a lack of lubrication of the dual camshafts which in turn burned up. End result was engine failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10761411, filed 2015-09, 98,252 miles

“Grandaughter was returning home from college . Vehicle suddenly caught fire on highway between marble falls tex and burnet texas.. Her mother was following in another car and barely had time to rescue some of the personal items before entire car was engulfed in flames. Granddaughter barely escaped the vehicle without injury. She was able to get several pictures of the vehicle fire on her cell phone.. The fire begin either under the hood or under the front of the car and was completely engulfed in a matter of minutes.. …”

NHTSA complaint #10567857, filed 2014-03, 105,000 miles

Engine: other model years

Year	Complaints	Share of year
2006	6	8%
2005	5	8%
2004	4	3%
2003	4	5%
2002	3	2%
2001	1	1%
2000	2	1%
1999	2	1%
1998	2	1%

Other parts of the 2002 Dodge Stratus

Engine cooling
48 complaints Suspension
31 complaints Transmission and drivetrain
21 complaints Air bags
19 complaints Brakes
11 complaints Electrical system
9 complaints Steering
9 complaints Vehicle speed control
8 complaints Body and structure
7 complaints Other or unknown
4 complaints Seat belts
4 complaints Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 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