1996 DODGE STRATUS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
776
Owner Complaints
11
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 DODGE STRATUS
The 1996 DODGE STRATUS has received a total of 776 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (224 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (101 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (38 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS, potentially affecting up to 4,192,645 vehicles.
Recall 10E059000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
| 22,689 vehicles affected
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 HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Consequence: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 09E056000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 5,787 vehicles affected
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 SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 06E091000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 24,358 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO...
Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.
View full details →Recall 06E088000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 39,243 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL...
Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
View full details →Recall 04V021000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
| 2,315,768 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
View full details →Recall 98V183000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
| 685,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH...
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.
View full details →Recall 97V201000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 599,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER...
View full details →Recall 97V095000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
| 219,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.
View full details →Recall 96V074000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
| 90,000 vehicles affected
Defect: CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence: IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
View full details →Recall 96V075000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 151,800 vehicles affected
Defect: THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Recall 96V006000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
| 40,000 vehicles affected
Defect: IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.
Consequence: INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS
776 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
R&R FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING FIX, HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY TOTAL COST $214.55 CLEAN ENGINE TOTAL COST $83.46 ENGINE OIL LEAK, TRIED OIL STOP LEAK & SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR THE TIME BEING. RADIATOR/ANTIFREEZE LEAK, I'M SPENDING $150 MONTH FOR ANTIFREEZE. PUTTING IN 1-2 BOTTLES A DAY. PROBABLY WILL HAVE RADIATOR FIXED SOON. MUFFLER FELL OFF, CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE. NEEDS NEW SPARK PLUGS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS MANIFOLD GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS OIL PAN GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS NEW WIPERS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. *TR
R&R FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING FIX, HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY TOTAL COST $214.55 CLEAN ENGINE TOTAL COST $83.46 ENGINE OIL LEAK, TRIED OIL STOP LEAK & SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR THE TIME BEING. RADIATOR/ANTIFREEZE LEAK, I'M SPENDING $150 MONTH FOR ANTIFREEZE. PUTTING IN 1-2 BOTTLES A DAY. PROBABLY WILL HAVE RADIATOR FIXED SOON. MUFFLER FELL OFF, CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE. NEEDS NEW SPARK PLUGS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS MANIFOLD GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS OIL PAN GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS NEW WIPERS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. *TR
R&R FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING FIX, HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY TOTAL COST $214.55 CLEAN ENGINE TOTAL COST $83.46 ENGINE OIL LEAK, TRIED OIL STOP LEAK & SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR THE TIME BEING. RADIATOR/ANTIFREEZE LEAK, I'M SPENDING $150 MONTH FOR ANTIFREEZE. PUTTING IN 1-2 BOTTLES A DAY. PROBABLY WILL HAVE RADIATOR FIXED SOON. MUFFLER FELL OFF, CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE. NEEDS NEW SPARK PLUGS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS MANIFOLD GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS OIL PAN GASKET, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. NEEDS NEW WIPERS, CAN'T AFFORD THAT EITHER. *TR
GENERAL TIRE ALTIMAX RT SIZE 195/70R14 BULGE ON SIDEWALL WHEN INSTALLED A BRAND NEW TIRE. AFTER INSTALLATION OBSERVED ONE OF FOUR TIRES WITH A BULGE ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE. BULGE NOT AN INDENTATION. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AND NO OBVIOUS INSTALLATION OR BEAD DAMAGE FROM THE OUTSIDE. INSTALLER SAID SMALL BULGE BUT MAY GROW. SENT PICTURES TO DISCOUNTTIREDIRECT AND THEY SEEMED TO THINK INSTALLATION BEAD DAMAGE. TOOK TIRE OFF, NO DAMAGE FOUND INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OR ANY BEAD IRREGULARITIES. SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE BUILD. OTHER 3 TIRES WERE FINE ON ALL SIDES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, STRUCK THE CURVE AND TRAVELED INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E056000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000. UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE WERE REPLACED.
Safety Rating for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 DODGE STRATUS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
7581/7582 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
SUBJECT ON REPROGRAM POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. *YC
182097 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONCERNS WITH "BUMP" FEEL DURING A/C COMPRESSOR ENGAGEMENT. *NLM
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 DODGE STRATUS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the DODGE STRATUS
- 1992 DODGE STRATUS — 1 complaint
- 1995 DODGE STRATUS — 462 complaints
- 1996 DODGE STRATUS (current)
- 1997 DODGE STRATUS — 451 complaints
- 1998 DODGE STRATUS — 334 complaints
- 1999 DODGE STRATUS — 344 complaints
- 2000 DODGE STRATUS — 270 complaints
- 2001 DODGE STRATUS — 269 complaints
Other DODGE Models
- DODGE DURANGO — 19,139 total complaints
- DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — 18,729 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 1500 — 15,420 total complaints
- DODGE CARAVAN — 14,266 total complaints
- DODGE DAKOTA — 9,227 total complaints
- DODGE CHARGER — 8,114 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 2500 — 8,092 total complaints
- DODGE INTREPID — 8,078 total complaints