2003 Dodge Stratus Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 75 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 155,018miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Dodge Stratus, 5% of the 75 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 155,018 miles.
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 car one once moving and then I stop, and put foot on brake, put gear in reverse and give it a little gas, and the vehicle rocks and shakes, and I was park, and put my foot on brake, put the gear in reverse and gave it a litte gas and it rock and shakes. I did just have new spark plugs put on old plugs and wires, and a new fuel tank filler tube”
NHTSA complaint #10907015, filed 2016-09, 196,000 miles“Only had my 2003 Dodge Stratus for a few months and having major problems now. When I first got it, everything was in good condition but I still did maintenance work on it anyways. I barely drive my car because I'm a stay at home mom so I don't really put miles on my car. Now my car is suffering problems from within the engine. I was driving one evening and my car just stopped out of nowhere. I did a little research and then went to a mechanic and pretty much my engine is suffering. They also told me that 2.7 engines are very crappy and doesn't last long. …”
NHTSA complaint #10917307, filed 2016-10, 130,000 miles“Was stopped at a traffic light and the car chugged and then stalled. It restarted immediately and I passed through traffic. This has happened about 8-10 since it's first occurrence. Last occurrence was in a drive-thru waiting for service and the car sputtered and then stalled. It took several attempts to get the car started again.”
NHTSA complaint #10512942, filed 2013-05, 88,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Stratus. While at an intersection, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle jerked and lost power without warning. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road. Once the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation. Also, when the vehicle struck a bump in the road, it veered to the right intermittently. An independent mechanic replaced the starter; however, the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,037. The VIN was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11279840, filed 2019-11, 180,037 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge Stratus
15 complaintsSuspension
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 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 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