The problem is not with the tire itself, but with the lug nuts holding the tire on the car. In the past year I have had at least six lug nuts fail. I have had a rash of flat tires, mostly related to nails. In attempting to remove the tires to put on the spare, the chrome caps on the nuts have come off. In the first incident, I was able to strip the cover off the internal nut by hand. In attempting to remove the internal nut, the softer metal was stripped. I was forced to drive on a flat tire home to try and remove the rest of the nut. I had to call a tow truck to haul my car into the shop where they had to cut off the nut. I can document this and three other occasions of the lug nuts being stripped when trying to remove a bad tire. I can document an occasion when the shop replaced two faulty nuts when repairing one of my tires. In the most recent occasion, I was able to remove the tire. However, when handling the lug nuts the chrome cap came off in my hand. I am able to strip these caps and nuts by hand using an "X" lug wrench, which I had to buy because the wrench that came with the vehicle twisted out of shape while trying to remove the lug nuts. The shop is aware of this problem, and they keep putting these defective lug nuts back on. At my age, it is inconceivable that I would be able to strip these caps and lug nugs by hand. I have the documents, I can get you pictures, but I am not a computer whiz and am currently having problems getting my printer to link up with my PC to download files to send. I will have a family member copy this information and email it to me so I can attempt to send it to you with your reply.
The worst 2003 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.
- Airbags15
- Suspension15
- Electrical10
- Engine10
- Acceleration8
- Fuel system8
- Brakes7
- Steering7
- Body6
- Transmission6
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Dodge Stratus
Recalls 2
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- 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
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump may be restricted, causing excessive fuel pressure to build up in the fuel injection system. Excessive fuel pressure may result in a leak in the fuel return hose.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the fuel pump pressure. Those vehicles exhibiting higher than normal fuel pump pressure will receive fuel pump modifications. Owner notification began on december 15, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑992‑1997.
Recall number 03V443000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2003 Dodge Stratus
Defect investigations
Safety belt cinching latch plate
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 2003 Dodge Stratus 57
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- Service
- Valve Body
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both...
- Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve
2003 Dodge Stratus fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 26-30 | 21-24 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 25-26 | 20-21 |
| 2.7L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17-19 | 25-26 | 20-21 |
What 2003 Dodge Stratus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Car was owned by school govement it has been worked on several times for bad suspension.and documented.ball joint bad suspension front and back.back dating 2 or 3 years.no accidents just bad suspension
When replacing the Clock Spring I noticed the Airbag serial number matched numbers from other vehicles for recall but my vehicle was not listed in recall.Vin number [XXX] 2003 Dodge Stratus Sedan INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. While at an intersection, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle jerked and lost power without warning. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road. Once the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation. Also, when the vehicle struck a bump in the road, it veered to the right intermittently. An independent mechanic replaced the starter; however, the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,037. The VIN was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the vehicle's horn had no functionality and the vehicle speed control did not function. In addition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000. The VIN was not provided.
While driving my 2003 dodge stratus, I was in the process of turning and I heard a kind of snap and then I felt and heard a grinding in my steering wheel. For about a week whenever I had to make a turn there was this noise list a spring was caught and almost would get caught and I would have to quickly jerk the steering wheel so it wouldn't get stuck and keep me from turning. My airbag light came on and stays on, so it won,t deploy in an accident, my horn doesn't work, and I lost function of my speed control. I was told this is my clockspring. This faulty clockspring was recalled in many dodge vehicles but has yet to be recalled in my vehicle. See safety recall no. B24 (11/01/2002) for 1998 dodge vehicles but dodge continued to use these faulty clocksprings that in fact should have a lifetime warranty.
Only had my 2003 dodge stratus for a few months and having major problems now. When I first got it, everything was in good condition but I still did maintenance work on it anyways. I barely drive my car because I'm a stay at home mom so I don't really put miles on my car. Now my car is suffering problems from within the engine. I was driving one evening and my car just stopped out of nowhere. I did a little research and then went to a mechanic and pretty much my engine is suffering. They also told me that 2.7 engines are very crappy and doesn't last long. I wish I would've knew that before I bought the car. These cars need to be recalled and made better. Now I'm out of a car.
The car one once moving and then I stop, and put foot on brake, put gear in reverse and give it a little gas, and the vehicle rocks and shakes, and I was park, and put my foot on brake, put the gear in reverse and gave it a litte gas and it rock and shakes. I did just have new spark plugs put on old plugs and wires, and a new fuel tank filler tube
Ball joints and control arms recall. They failed as I was driving on the highway causing me to complete an almost 1,000 dollar repair for replacements.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the dashboard of the vehicle protruded and separated causing the air bag to be exposed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,300.
Compare the 2003 Dodge Stratus
Other model years
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Stratus
Is the 2003 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Owners have filed 75 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Stratus, close to a typical Stratus model year.
What is the 2003 Dodge Stratus year score?
The 2003 Dodge Stratus scores 75 out of 100 (average). 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 2003 Dodge Stratus?
Airbags, with 15 complaints, typically around 57,775 miles. Next is suspension (15).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Stratus have?
2 recalls, covering air bags and fuel system, gasoline.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Stratus get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Dodge Stratus range from 20 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 26-30 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Dodge Stratus?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history