Before you buy
This 2002 Dodge Stratus has 174 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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.
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2002 Dodge Stratus Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2002 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. 8 trims analysed.
2002 Dodge Stratus Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2002 Dodge Stratus 4-DROfficial 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 2002 Dodge Stratus has 174 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Stratus
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 174
- Crash-related complaints
- 14
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2002 Dodge Stratus problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Suspension Failures
Airbag Malfunctions
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Suspension Failures, Airbag Malfunctions. 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 2002 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 2002 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 2002 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 174 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. 14 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 6 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 174 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 6 federal recall campaigns
- 14 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 2002 Dodge Stratus complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Dodge Stratus. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 55 | — | 3 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 31 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 23 | 10 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 23 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 13 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 12 | 4 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 11 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 11 | 4 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
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 2002 Dodge Stratus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TI…
CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. CAR DOESN'T SIT IN MUCH DIRECT SUNLIGHT. APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING AIRBAGS. ALSO NOT AESTHETICALLY PLEASING ON OTHERWISE NICE INTERIOR. I DO NOT TAKE THIS VEHICLE ON BUMPY ROADS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS COUPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR W…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART T…
THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP FAILED. THIS CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE OIL PAN. THE WATER GOT HOT ENOUGH ON A 600 MILES TRIP FROM FLORIDA TO MISSISSIPPI THAT IT BOILED AND CAUSED THE OIL TO TURN INTO SLUDGE (MOLASSES LIKE CONSISTENCY). THIS CAUSED A LACK OF LUBRICATION OF THE DUAL…
MY CAR HAS A BAD NOISE AND POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. I WAS TURNING OUT OF MY MOMS DRIVEWAY WHEN MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE COLLAPSED IN .. MY UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE . AFTER MY CAR WAS JACKED UP MY LOWER A ARM AND BALL JOINT WAS BROKE .. I REPLACED EVERYTHING . A WEEK LATER THE…
MY DAUGHTER PULLED OUT OF MCDONALD'S TURNING RIGHT AND THE LEFT WHEEL COLLAPSED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. I HAD IT TOWED TO OUR HOUSE. I HAVE READ ON LINE AND FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *JS
SPEAKER IN THE BACK CARGO AREA STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE AND STEREO SHORTED OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTR…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE DASHBOARD AS THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION,…
GRANDAUGHTER WAS RETURNING HOME FROM COLLEGE . VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE ON HIGHWAY BETWEEN MARBLE FALLS TEX AND BURNET TEXAS.. HER MOTHER WAS FOLLOWING IN ANOTHER CAR AND BARELY HAD TIME TO RESCUE SOME OF THE PERSONAL ITEMS BEFORE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. GRANDDAUGH…
I HAD SMELLED A BURNING SMELL IN MY CAR WHILE I DRIVE IT. MY HUSBAND HAD TRIED HIS BEST TO FIND WHERE THE SMELL IS COMING FROM. WE COULD NOT FIND IT AND NOW MY RADIO DOESN'T WORK, THE DOME LIGHT DON'T WORK AND THE LOCKS DON'T WORK. IN ORDER TO LOCK MY CAR I HAVE TO PUSH THE LOCKS…
NOTICED SLIGHT GEAR SLIPPAGE TRAVELLING 35-45MPH. ALL FLUIDS CHECKED, AT PROPER LEVELS. A WEEK LATER, ENGINE 'JERKED' WHEN COMING TO COMPLETE STOP, CHECK ENG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. ONCE ENGINE WARMED UP, STARTED HEARING A 'WHIRRING' NOISE FROM LOWER-MIDDLE ARE…
I GOT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME AND AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR AND TURNED THE WHEEL JUST A LITTLE, I HEAR A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON STATING "AIR BAG". I HAVE ALREADY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS I HAD TO REPLACE MYSELF…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BACKING PLATE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE WHEELS TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE BACKING PLAT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BEGAN MAKING A BEEPING NOISE. APPROXIMATELY 60 SECONDS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AS …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Dodge Stratus.
Safety recalls
2002 Dodge Stratus recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Dodge Stratus. 6 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Dodge Stratus buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Dodge Stratus reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 174 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 6 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 2002 Dodge Stratus?▾
#1: Engine Problems (55 complaints). #2: Suspension Failures (31 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (23 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Dodge Stratus?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Dodge Stratus?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Dodge Stratus, NHTSA complaints include 14 crash-related reports and 5 fire reports out of 174 total complaints. 14 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Dodge Stratus. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 6 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 2002 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. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems 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
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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.