2003 Dodge Stratus Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 20%of 75 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,775miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Dodge Stratus, 20% of the 75 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,775 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was backing out of parking space when I heard a cracking noise when I turned the steering wheel.then the airbag light came on.then I noticed the horn did not work. Upon investigation on the internet I am 100% convinced that the clock spring has broken.further investigation shows there is a recall on chrysler-Dodge clock springs but only on certain year-models which doesn't make sense. …”
NHTSA complaint #10619168, filed 2014-08, 90,000 miles“1. I took my car to have the oil changed. 2. Engine light came on & was reset. 3. Fuel pump needs replacing. I only have 57k miles and there is a recall on other models (03v443000). I also have the airbag light on which is identified as the clockspring and has also been recalled in other similar models. Neither of these are shown as recalled on my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10208126, filed 2007-11, 57,775 miles“While driving my 2003 Dodge Stratus, I was in the process of turning and I heard a kind of snap and then I felt and heard a grinding in my steering wheel. For about a week whenever I had to make a turn there was this noise list a spring was caught and almost would get caught and I would have to quickly jerk the steering wheel so it wouldn't get stuck and keep me from turning. My airbag light came on and stays on, so it won,t deploy in an accident, my horn doesn't work, and I lost function of my speed control. I was told this is my clockspring. …”
NHTSA complaint #10918117, filed 2016-10, 114,150 miles“I bought a 2003 Dodge Stratus on 12/29/07 from junge in center point ia. Today when I turned the wheel I heard a click sound and the airbag light came on and has stayed on. Estimates to have this fixed are $250-$350. All dealers have told me this is a safety hazard and my operator's manual concurs that my airbag may not work. Dodge headquarters will not do anything about this. To me I am unsure why turning a wheel which is necessary should compromise the airbag and safety of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10213594, filed 2008-01, 50,195 miles“My car has 41,000 miles. It is a 2003 Dodge Stratus. The past week I have noticed the transmission slipping/knocking. That's problem 1. The second problem is that last wednesday I was backing out of my parking place at work, and I turned my steering wheel. I heard this pop and then the air bag light came on . According to the owners manual the air bag will not deploy. I do have the car in the shop. The technican working on the car says the air bag is not going to be covered. My car has never been in any type of accident and I feel that the Dodge corp. …”
NHTSA complaint #10104547, filed 2004-12, 41,450 milesRelated recalls
- 15V338000Jun 2, 2015Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004…Covers: Dodge Stratus 2001–2005, Mitsubishi Eclipse 2000–2005, Eclipse Spyder 2001–2005 +1 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 | 18% |
| 2005 | 9 | 15% |
| 2004 | 15 | 10% |
| 2003 | 15 | 20% |
| 2002 | 19 | 13% |
| 2001 | 26 | 14% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 17 | 6% |
| 1997 | 24 | 7% |
| 1996 | 18 | 3% |
| 1995 | 18 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge Stratus
15 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge Stratus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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