Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Stratus vs Toyota Camry
How the Dodge Stratus and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Dodge Stratus vs Toyota Camry: The Stratus averaged 139.7 complaints per year over 7 years, with 51 recalls, while the Camry averaged 214.3 complaints per year over 10 years, with 31 recalls. Both have 1 death reported. The Stratus has fewer annual complaints but more recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Stratus or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Stratus
The Dodge Stratus is a mid-size car that, based on owner complaints, can be a challenging used purchase. Over 7 years, it averaged about 140 complaints per year, with many reports of engine shutdowns, oil leaks, suspension noises, and steering problems. Recalls for airbag inflators and suspension parts add to the ownership burden. Buyers should expect to deal with multiple mechanical issues if considering this vehicle.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular mid-size sedan that, according to NHTSA data, has a higher annual complaint rate than the Stratus, averaging about 214 complaints per year over 10 years. Owners frequently report power train issues like transmission grinding, engine problems such as sudden acceleration, and brake failures. There are also complaints about air conditioning odors and damage. Despite its reputation, the data shows a range of serious issues that buyers should be aware of.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Stratus | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 978 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 51 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 102 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 139.7 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 84 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Dodge Stratus
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING198
- 02SUSPENSION185
- 03STEERING147
- 04AIR BAGS113
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM104
Owners report the engine shutting off while driving at highway speeds, as well as massive oil leaks that can require costly repairs. These issues can leave you stranded and lead to expensive engine work.
Complaints include crunching or clunking noises when turning, often linked to worn suspension parts. This can affect handling and may require repeated alignments or part replacements.
Drivers describe the steering wheel locking or turning to an angled position without warning, sometimes after alignments. This can make the car difficult to control and is a serious safety concern.
There are reports of airbags not deploying in crashes, and recalls for passenger-side inflator modules. This means the airbag may not protect you in a collision.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY SO THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF AND IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATEL…”
“DECEMBER 2010 I NOTICED A MASSIVE OIL LEAK/SPILL UNDER MY CAR. TOOK TO SHOP IMMEDIATELY. THEY TOOK APART TIMING COVER SET AND DID SOME REPLACEMENTS. COST APPROXIMATELY $900. A FEW WEEKS LATER, AN EVEN BIGGER OIL LEAK/SPILL. TOOK TO SHOP IMMEDIATELY. THEY REPL…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission, sometimes requiring a full replacement. There are also complaints of sudden acceleration, which can lead to loss of control.
Sudden and uncontrollable acceleration is a recurring complaint, as well as engine maintenance codes related to coolant valve bypass. These issues can cause crashes and expensive repairs.
Drivers describe brake pedal failure, where pressing the brake produces no response, especially on slopes. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to accidents.
Complaints include air conditioning condenser damage from road debris and persistent mildew or vinegar odors from the vents. These are comfort and potential repair cost issues.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Dodge Stratus — 51 recalls
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA custom…
The defect: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SO…
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The fix: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
The defect: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HO…
The risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA custom…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Dodge Stratus or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Dodge Stratus has fewer complaints per year (about 140) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 214), but both have serious safety-related reports. The Stratus has more recalls (51 vs 31) and a higher proportion of crash-related complaints relative to its total. In practice, the Camry may have more frequent complaints, but the Stratus has a higher recall burden and potentially more severe failure patterns like engine shutdowns and steering lock-ups.
Key differences
- The Dodge Stratus has a lower annual complaint rate (139.7 vs 214.3) but more recalls (51 vs 31).
- Stratus complaints often involve engine shutdowns, oil leaks, and steering lock-ups, while Camry complaints frequently mention transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (181 vs 102) and injuries (163 vs 84) despite the higher complaint volume.
- Both vehicles have 1 reported death, but the Stratus has a higher ratio of deaths to complaints.
- Check for oil leaks around the timing cover and engine block, as owners report massive leaks requiring expensive repairs.
- Test the steering for any locking or unusual noises when turning, and ask if the airbag inflator recall has been addressed.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and test for any hesitation or sudden acceleration.
- Test the brakes on a slope to ensure they respond properly, and check for air conditioning odors or condenser damage.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if recalls (especially airbag and suspension for Stratus, and seat/wheel for Camry) have been completed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission for the specific issues reported (oil leaks and shutdowns for Stratus; grinding and sudden acceleration for Camry).
- Test drive on various roads, including highways and slopes, to check for steering lock-up (Stratus) and brake failure (Camry).
- Check the air conditioning system for odors or damage, particularly in the Camry.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been remedied by contacting a dealership with the VIN.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Dodge Stratus or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Stratus vs Toyota Camry
- Dodge Stratus total complaints
- 978
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Dodge Stratus total recalls
- 51
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Dodge Stratus avg complaints/year
- 139.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Stratus
- Dodge Stratus top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN