2002 Dodge Stratus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 14%of 150 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Dodge Stratus, 14% of the 150 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I brought car to dealership before warranty ended for transmission work. The said they fixed it but 17,000 miles later transmission went completely out. Dealer says it is now my problem to get fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10106372, filed 2005-01, 52,500 miles“The automatic transmission failed at 59,000 miles on my 2002 Dodge Stratus. The vehicle started to make a popping sound under the hood on the drivers side. The sound was intermittent for about 3 months. On september 22, 2005, the vehicle began to make a loud whistling sound and started to shift hard and/or delay shift. I took the vehicle to a repair shop and it was diagnosed with a hard part transmission failure. The total cost of repair was $2100.00 and the vehicle went out of warranty at 50,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10137870, filed 2005-09, 59,000 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10021239Aug 25, 2006Powertrain control module initialization.
- 10013731Mar 2, 2005Powertrain control module initialization.
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 2002 Dodge Stratus
48 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Dodge Stratus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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