2000 Dodge Stratus Problems
Used DODGE STRATUS shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Based on 241 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Steering Defects the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2000 Dodge Stratus has 241 NHTSA complaints β top issue: Steering Defects.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview Β· Full report from $12.95.
2000 Dodge Stratus Fuel Economy
β EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2000 Dodge Stratus trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2000 Dodge Stratus Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2000 Dodge Stratus has 241 owner complaints, 16 crash-related complaints, and 9 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Steering Defects. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Stratus
- Model year
- 2000
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 241
- Crash-related complaints
- 16
- Safety recall campaigns
- 9
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 25
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2000 Dodge Stratus problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Brake System
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Brake System, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2000 Dodge Stratus?
This DODGE STRATUS year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2000 Dodge Stratus
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2000 Dodge Stratus, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The DODGE STRATUS has 241 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. 16 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 9 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 241 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 9 federal recall campaigns
- 16 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Full breakdown
All 2000 Dodge Stratus complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Stratus. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 68 | 2 | 34 | β | |
| Brake System | 33 | 5 | 1 | β | |
| Engine Problems | 32 | 1 | 10 | β | |
| Electrical Faults | 31 | β | 18 | β | |
| Hydraulic | 29 | 4 | 1 | β | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 22 | 2 | β | β | |
| Fuel System | 22 | β | 4 | β | |
| Gasoline | 19 | β | 3 | β | |
| Suspension Failures | 18 | β | β | β | |
| Visibility | 12 | β | β | β | |
| Equipment | 10 | β | 1 | β | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 10 | 7 | β | β | |
| Structural Problems | 7 | β | 1 | β | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 7 | 2 | β | β | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 4 | β | 1 | β | |
| Air | 4 | 1 | β | β | |
| Door Lock Issues | 4 | β | β | β | |
| Other | 3 | β | 1 | β | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | 1 | β | β | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | 1 | β | β | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | β | β | β |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Stratus. Type a keyword (e.g. βtransmissionβ, βstallingβ, βbrakesβ) to filter.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SIDE ROAD AT AROUND 25MPG, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL MADE A POP SOUND AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED. WHEN MY DAUGHTER GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE SHE SAW THAT THE WHEEL WAS FOLDED UNDER THE CAR. SHE HAD IT TOWED AND WE LEARNED THE TIE-ROD CONTROL ARM FAILED AND BROKE THE SHAFT.β¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED FLUID COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKβ¦
VEHICLE STALLED AT HIGH SPEED. HAD FUEL FILTER REPLACED BY DODGE DEALER IN MARIETTA, OHIO. DEALER DID NOT CHECK FUEL PUMP WHILE TANK REMOVED FROM AUTOMOBILE. FUEL PUMP WAS CAUSE OF STALLING. INVOICE # DOCS155552
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY SNAPPED IN HALF, THE ENTIRE TIRE ALMOST CAME ALL THE WAY OFF.
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING PROBLEM SUBSIDES. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DEFβ¦
MY DODGE STRATUS STARTED BLOWING HORN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING. EVERYTIME I TURN THE WHEEL THE HORN BLOWS. THEN TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME IN THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEN LOCKS START GOING UP AND DOWN AND DOOR MAKE BEEP AS IF A DOOR HIS OPEN. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSES TO STOP HORβ¦
STARTING MARCH I HAD PROBLEMS WITH TURNING THE WHEEL AND I TOOK CAR TO GET OIL AND ASK MECHANIC TO CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID. IM TOLD IT IS FULL AND THAT THEY DO NOT WHY I HAVE TURN THE WHEEL AS IF I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. EACH MONTH I GET SOMEONE CHECK POWER STEERING AND TOLDβ¦
DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES TO STORE. WAS IN PARKING LOT, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. WOMAN IN LOT STOPPED AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPOT TO CENTER OF AISLE. CAR FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES. CAUSβ¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN OR WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCAβ¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AS THE DRIVER BEGAN TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE DRIVER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF ON THE EMERGENCY LANE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHβ¦
MY SON DROVE MY CAR A SHORT DISTANCE AND PARKED IT AT A RESTAURANT. HE WAS INFORMED WITHIN MINUTES THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPT. EXTINQUISHED AN ENGINE COMPATMENT FIRE. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HAPPENED IN AKRON OHIO APPROX. NOV. 2011. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA AND IMMEDIATELY EXTβ¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OFβ¦
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS DIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILING FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACβ¦
AFTER DRIVING MY CAR A FRIEND WENT OUTSIDE AND SEEN SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD.SHE CALLED ME AND I RAN TO THE CAR AND I SEEN FIRE UNDER THE FRONT WHEEL'S. FRIENDS SPRAYED WATER ON THE HOOD AND I OPENED IT UP A LITTLE AND THEY SPRAYED THE FIRE AND PUT IT OUT. BY THIS TIMβ¦
I NEED SOME ONE TO INVESTIGATE A RECALL PART ON A 2000 DODGE STRATUS ON A POWER STEERING LEAK THAT CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP. AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH ON WHAT CAUSE THE FIRE. *TR
LOWER BALL JOINT/ CONTROL ARM DEFECTIVE. NO EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OR UNUSUAL WEAR ON THE VEHICLE TO PRECIPITATE THIS PROBLEM. THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART WAS SEEN ON OTHER 2000 DODGE STRATUS VEHICLES WITH APPLICABLE RECALLS. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT BASED ON MY VIN NUMβ¦
2000 DODGE STRATUS ENGINE FIRE. AFTER PARKING THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, I BEGAN TO SMELL AND SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR. DETERMINING THAT IT WAS ON FIRE, I BACKED IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY (LUCKILY THE DRIVEWAY WAS SLOPED) TO GET IT A WAY FROM THE HOUSE. *TR
MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS, AND THE FUEL NECK HAS RUSTED. APPARENTLY THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON THIS PRODUCT AND I AM UNABLE TO GET IT UNTIL OCTOBER 30TH. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT I SHOULD DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM HE SAID THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WAITING ON THIS SAME PART AND THAβ¦
HAD DODGE STRATUS 2000 ES FOR TEN YEARS. MILEAGE AT APPROXIMATELY 53,000. THIS YEAR WHEN INTERIOR HOT THE FOLLOWING DO NOT WORK: WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DASH GAUGES, SECURITY SYSTEM, DASH INDICATOR FOR TRANSMISSION GEAR, COOL AIR THROUGH AIR CONDITIONER. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING THIβ¦
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2000 Dodge Stratus.
Safety recalls
2000 Dodge Stratus recalls
9 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2000 Dodge Stratus. 9 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
EQUIPMENT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
CHILD SEAT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2000 Dodge Stratus buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2000 Dodge Stratus reliable?βΎ
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 241 owner complaints, 16 crash-related complaints, and 9 recall campaigns for this model year. This DODGE STRATUS year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Stratus?βΎ
#1: Steering Defects (68 complaints). #2: Brake System (33 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (32 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2000 Dodge Stratus?βΎ
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2000 Dodge Stratus?βΎ
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2000 Dodge Stratus, NHTSA complaints include 16 crash-related reports and 64 fire reports out of 241 total complaints. 19 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2000 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?βΎ
Yes. 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2000 Dodge Stratus. A major recall area is EQUIPMENT. 9 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2000 Dodge Stratus?βΎ
This DODGE STRATUS year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Stratus reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2000 Dodge Stratus based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.