2003 Dodge Stratus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 8%of 75 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,306miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Dodge Stratus, 8% of the 75 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,306 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“After having my transmission lines repaired due to a leak I decided to take my car out on a test drive on the highway. Well coming into town I began to slow down from 65 MPH to 55 MPH when all of a sudden my car began to accelerate rapidly. The brakes would not slow it down. The check engine light came on. Fearing for my life I began to gently pull the emergency break which slowed me down to about 20 MPH in which I took a turn into a parking lot. When I finally got the car stopped it jerked forward and the engine revved up to approx 600,000 rpms. …”
NHTSA complaint #10147395, filed 2006-01, 48,306 miles“I have 2003 Dodge status with the 2.4l 4 cylinder engine and automatic transmission. After coming back from a trip, most of which was at freeway speeds, I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake when the engine speed suddenly jumped from idle speed to 2000 rpms. The car luched forward causing me to almost hit the car in front of me. At the next 2 stops the engine speed jumped from idle speed to 1400 rpms. For the next week the problem did not happen again during normal around town driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10030644, filed 2003-08, 1,500 miles“- the contact complained about transmission failures about 1 year ago. The contact took vehicle to dealership last year, and was told that the computer needed to be reprogrammed. The contact stated that vehicle would not accelerate after coming to a complete stop, and it was not accelerating properly when going up a hill. The contact stated that when trying to accelerate after she came to a complete stop, the rpms would go up but the vehicle wouldn't advance. The contact took the vehicle to dealership in december, at which time she was told that her transmission had failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10177578, filed 2007-01, 73,986 miles“Dt: the consumer says that when reaching 35 MPH, a noise is heard from in the transmission area. The dealerships transmission person had the vehicle brought in and checked it out and verified what the service manager thought it was. They called chrysler star online. They stated that this was a normal transaxle operation and noise. They would not let the service people fix the car. This has been going on for about one year. The vehicle had been at the dealership 3 times. The dealer was not able to fix the problem because of chrysler. The car increased in noise after 35 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #10128782, filed 2005-08, 9,000 miles“I own a 2003 Dodge Stratus sxt sedan 2.4l. When I bought the car I happened to notice that there was rusting on the axles & brakes to the front end of the car. The second day I had the car it completely shut itself down and wouldn't start, immediately my car dealership picked up the car and said it was because the battery died . …”
NHTSA complaint #10017000, filed 2003-05Related service bulletins
- 10021239Aug 25, 2006Powertrain control module initialization.
- 10012341Nov 19, 2005Transfer gear whine sound between 68 mph and 84 mph either accelerating or decelerating.
- 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 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 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 29, 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