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2001 Dodge Stratus problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Dodge Stratus is engine and cooling, typically around 65,000 miles. It has 2.5 times the complaints of a typical Stratus model year.

Year to avoid2.5x the typical complaints
Year score
36/100
Owner complaints
186
Recalls
10
Service bulletins
77
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
20-23mpg
Typical repair
$5,700

The worst 2001 Dodge Stratus problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Dodge Stratus

Ball joint 20Engine failure 19Airbag light 18Knocking 14Stalling 12Adaptive cruise 11Grinding brakes 6Steering noise 6Jerking 5

Recalls 10

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 3, 2016 · 16,315 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.
Risk
If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 16V401000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 2, 2015 · 443,442 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Risk
If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy
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 customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

Recall number 15V338000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported January 16, 2001 · 28,439 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose manufacturing process allowed the reinforcement yard to breach the inner layer of some automatic transmission hoses weakening the inner wall which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.
Risk
Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transaxle oil cooler hoses. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 01V011002 · Recall details

SeatsReported January 8, 2001 · 20 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the bolts may not properly secure the seat and could cause increased injury to the driver of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the seat mounting bolts and then replace the bolts if necessary. Owner notification began february 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 01V005002 · Recall details

Child seatReported November 9, 2000 · 1,211,756 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.

Recall number 00V366000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported October 27, 2000 · 3,480 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The outer layer only of this 3-layer fuel return hose does not contain the desired ozone protection due to a processing error.
Risk
This hose is considered to be inadequate.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel return hose.

Recall number 00V320002 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported October 12, 2000 · 419 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Passenger air bags were built with suspect aluminum extrusion sections which may not retain the air bag door during an air bag deployment event.
Risk
A separated air bag door could injure a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag.

Recall number 00V306000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported October 2, 2000 · 554 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit.
Risk
Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield will cause the wiring insulation to wear and eventually to ground out. This could cause the engine to die-out, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will re-route the crankshaft position sensor harness.

Recall number 00V299002 · Recall details

Structure: frame and members: underbody shieldsReported September 18, 2000 · 4,504 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Through degradation of the bond between the silencer pad and a sheet metal panel (quarter inner upper), the pad may fall onto the map light located in the rear seating area near the c-pillar trim panel (lh and rh). This contact could cause the pad to melt, creating a hot smell and/or smoke during long periods of illumination.
Risk
Smoke inhalation could be harmful to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the insulation pad from behind both rear map lights.

Recall number 00V278000 · Recall details

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)Reported August 10, 2000 · 2,865 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A nut in the steering gear assembly was not properly tightened, resulting in symptoms ranging from steering wheel vibration to stiff steering, and in the worst case, no ability to turn left.
Risk
A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the steering gear assembly if a loose nut connection is found.

Recall number 00V225002 · Recall details

See all 10 recalls for the 2001 Dodge Stratus

Defect investigations

Safety belt cinching latch plateOpened November 6, 2002, closed April 23, 2003

There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.

PE02082

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Dodge Stratus 77

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 77 bulletins for the 2001 Dodge Stratus

2001 Dodge Stratus fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD18-2025-2821-23
3.0L 6‑cylFWD17-1825-2620-21
2.7L 6‑cylFWD17-1825-2620-21

What 2001 Dodge Stratus owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 10, 2021 · Suspension · 193,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact drove over a bump in the roadway and without warning, the front strut tower fractured and went through the driver's side hood. The vehicle was towed to the residence where it remained awaiting repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact went to c.r. Motors of hudson (518 s meridian rd, hudson, mi 49247, (517)306-2561) and requested information on repairing the vehicle. The contact was informed that the part needed to repair the vehicle was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that parts were not available. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2016 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 135,000 miles · NH

While driving my dodge stratus se, the airbag light came on in red, the steering wheel began making a clicking noise while turning, and the horn stopped working all at the same time.

Filed Apr 11, 2016 · Airbags, Steering · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained on. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 22, 2015 · Airbags · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge stratus. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jul 18, 2015 · Airbags · 106,000 miles · FL

Stopped at stop sign. Started to make right hand turn, heard pop in the steering column, warning bell went off, airbag light came on and stayed on. Horn stopped working and no cruise control. Took vehicle in for replacement of clockspring today, 7/18/2015, at a cost of $167.99 for the part and $119.23 for labor. No airbags is a safety issue. Clockspring failure is known to dodge/chrysler and recently jeep and any vehicle made by dodge/chrysler/jeep that has this failure should have all parts and labor covered by the vehicle manufacturer. We did nothing to cause this and could have done nothing to prevent it. Recalls were done but not for all vehicles. Maybe that needs to change. Bad part for sure!!

Filed May 6, 2015 · Seats · 108,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the door panel fractured without warning and the front driver seat controls failed to adjust the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver seat and the front driver side panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Dec 19, 2014 · Body, Brakes · 217,000 miles · NH

I have had this car for 2 years now with little problems. Had a few oil changes and some brake work done to it. But in the last year I have changed all the calipers in this car 2 to 3 times the break pads many times the ball joints the roaders the swing arm and the cluster dash. This was a great car till it stopped going over 30 without a terrible shake.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · MI

Front lower right ball joint and control arm failure. This resulted in catastrophic damage to the brake lines, control arm, loss of control, steering, tie rods, upper ball joint, cv axle severed, and bent frame. Chrysler told me that because of my VIN number I wasn't eligible for the recall repair, yet the 2001 dodge stratus, 2.4l sedan has been recalled by chrysler for this same problem, with lower control arm and ball joint failure. Had I been notified of a recall, this could of been avoided. What if I was on the highway and this happened? And why wasn't my vehicle recalled????

Filed Jun 23, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 105,000 miles · AR

Clock-spring broke when I was backing out of a parking space and turning the steering wheel to the left. Now my air bag light stays on and everything electrical on the steering wheel does not work, this includes the horn, cruise control and the airbag. If this is not a safety issue deserving of a recall then what exactly is?

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Suspension · 248,866 miles · CA

As I tried to start driving I heard a sound like a crack then I stop the car and walked around it and had found that the right side tire at the rear end was broken.

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Questions about the 2001 Dodge Stratus

Is the 2001 Dodge Stratus reliable?

Owners have filed 186 complaints about the 2001 Dodge Stratus, 2.5 times a typical Stratus model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2001 Dodge Stratus year score?

The 2001 Dodge Stratus scores 36 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Stratus: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Dodge Stratus?

Engine and cooling, with 59 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles. Next is suspension (41).

How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Stratus have?

10 recalls, covering air bags, power train and seats.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Dodge Stratus get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Dodge Stratus range from 20 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-20 city and 25-28 highway.

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