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Model Year Problem Record

Dodge Stratus 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Dodge Stratus: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

349Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
78Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine171 complaints

171 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes48 complaints

48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train37 complaints

37 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V021000, 98V183000.

Electrical System32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V201000.

Vehicle Speed Control18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure9 complaints

9 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V095000.

Lighting7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V021000Reported January 13, 2004 - 2,315,768 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on January 13, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 2,315,768 vehicles across all affected models.

97V095000Reported June 6, 1997 - 219,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on June 6, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 219,000 vehicles across all affected models.

97V201000Reported November 13, 1997 - 599,000 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on November 13, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 599,000 vehicles across all affected models.

98V183000Reported August 6, 1998 - 685,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on August 6, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 685,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA03011Opened July 17, 2003 - Closed January 30, 2004

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK. Resulted in recall campaign 04V021000.

EA03011Opened July 17, 2003 - Closed January 30, 2004

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK. Resulted in recall campaign 04V021000.

EA97016Opened September 29, 1997 - Closed November 20, 1997

LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 97V201000.

PE02082Opened November 6, 2002 - Closed April 23, 2003

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199712
199836
199959
200077
200162
200232
200317
200424
20059
20065
20074
20083
20092
20102
20112
20131
20181
20201
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.