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2001 Dodge Stratus: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 218 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Dodge Stratus, and the engine is the most named component[1][2]. It also has 10 recalls on file, the most of any Stratus model year listed[3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 218 complaints from owners[1]. Of those, 11 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 10 injuries, and 1 reports a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.
Here are the component groups with the most complaints:
| Component | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Engine[2] | 65 | 65,000 |
| Suspension[5] | 42 | 72,000 |
| Air bags[6] | 29 | 82,125 |
| Steering[7] | 26 | 60,089 |
| Power train[8] | 24 | 54,112 |
| Electrical system[9] | 22 | 70,000 |
| Structure[10] | 21 | 52,500 |
| Brakes[11] | 14 | 55,225 |
Engine. In the engine complaints we read, 5 of 11 distinct texts describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving[2]. Another 4 describe an engine failure or knocking, with a dispute over whether the warranty covers it because of oil change records (one text also describes stalling)[2]. Two engine complaints mention fires and one a crash[2].
Suspension. In the suspension complaints we read, 4 of 11 distinct texts describe failed ball joints, and 3 describe a broken control arm or coil spring[5].
Air bags. Air bag complaints are fewer, but they include 6 crashes, 5 injuries and the one reported death[6]. In the sample we read, 7 of 11 distinct texts describe an air bag warning light that stays on, along with a horn and cruise control that stop working and a clicking from the steering column[6]. Three describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[6].
Steering. In the steering complaints we read, 7 of 12 texts describe noises from the steering column or gear, or stiff steering, and 4 describe worn ball joints or loose tie rods[7].
The power train, electrical, structure and brake groups have fewer complaints, and we did not read samples of them[8][9][10][11].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2001 Stratus[3]. Newest first:
- Passenger sun visor, second repair (16V401). Covers certain 2001 and 2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus cars with beige interiors that were repaired earlier with an incorrect part. The visor could still detach and fly backward if the passenger air bag deploys, which raises the risk of injury. The fix is a correct tether strap installed free of charge, but the notice says owners will get a second email when parts are available, so the remedy may still be pending. The recall began July 26, 2016[12]. About 16,315 vehicles may be affected[12].
- Passenger sun visor (15V338). A folded-down passenger visor may detach if the passenger air bag deploys, which raises the risk of injury. Dealers install a tether strap to hold the visor, free of charge. The recall began July 20, 2015, and covers about 443,442 vehicles across several models[13].
- Transmission cooler hoses (01V011). A hose manufacturing flaw could weaken the inner wall and let automatic transmission fluid leak. The leak can cause driveability problems, and smoke if the fluid touches the front exhaust pipe. Dealers replace the hoses. About 28,439 vehicles are covered[14].
- Driver seat bolts (01V005). Some cars got incorrect driver seat mounting bolts, which might not hold the seat in a crash. Dealers inspect the bolts and replace them if needed. About 20 vehicles are covered[15].
- Child seat instructions (00V366). Some owner's manuals lack step-by-step instructions for attaching a child seat tether strap, which could raise the risk of injury to a child in a crash. Owners get a manual addendum. About 1,211,756 vehicles across many models are covered[16].
- Fuel return hose (00V320). The outer layer of a fuel return hose lacks the intended ozone protection because of a processing error, so the hose is considered inadequate. Dealers replace it. About 3,480 vehicles are covered[17].
- Passenger air bag door (00V306). Air bags built with suspect aluminum parts might not keep the air bag door attached during deployment, and a loose door could injure an occupant. Dealers replace the passenger air bag. About 419 vehicles are covered[18].
- Crankshaft sensor wiring (00V299). The sensor wiring could rub a new heat shield and short out, which could make the engine die and raise the risk of a crash. Dealers re-route the harness. About 554 vehicles are covered[19].
- Rear map light pad (00V278). A silencer pad could fall onto a rear map light and melt, causing a hot smell or smoke that could harm occupants. Dealers remove the pad from behind both rear map lights. About 4,504 vehicles are covered[20].
- Steering gear nut (00V225). A nut in the steering gear was not tightened properly, which could cause steering wheel vibration or stiff steering. In the worst case the driver could not turn left. A loss of steering control could raise the risk of a crash. Dealers inspect and replace the steering gear assembly if the nut is loose. About 2,865 vehicles are covered[21].
Check any used 2001 Stratus against all ten. One complaint in our sample says no recall letter ever arrived[7], so do not rely on a notice reaching you.
Fuel economy
EPA lists several versions of the 2001 Stratus. All use regular gas and front-wheel drive.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stratus, 2.4L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[22] | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Stratus, 2.4L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[4] | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Stratus, 3.0L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[23] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Stratus, 3.0L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[24] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Stratus, 3.0L 6-cyl, automatic (S4)[25] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Stratus 4 Door, 2.4L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[26] | 18 / 28 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Stratus 4 Door, 2.7L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[27] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Stratus 4 Door, 2.7L 6-cyl, automatic (S4)[28] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 |
The best combined figure is 23 MPG for the 2.4L manual[4]. The lowest is 20 MPG, shared by three versions[23][25][27].
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 2-door and the 4-door 2001 Stratus as not rated[29][30]. That means there is no star score to compare. The recall and complaint records above are the safety information we have.
How 2001 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 318 | 7 |
| 1996 | 554 | 7 |
| 1997 | 349 | 4 |
| 1998 | 272 | 3 |
| 1999 | 251 | 3 |
| 2000 | 216 | 5 |
| 2001 | 218 | 10 |
| 2002 | 163 | 2 |
| 2003 | 91 | 2 |
| 2004 | 148 | 3 |
| 2005 | 65 | 3 |
| 2006 | 74 | 0 |
NHTSA complaint and recall counts for each Stratus model year are in the table below[3]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 318 | 7 |
| 1996 | 554 | 7 |
| 1997 | 349 | 4 |
| 1998 | 272 | 3 |
| 1999 | 251 | 3 |
| 2000 | 216 | 5 |
| 2001 | 218 | 10 |
| 2002 | 163 | 2 |
| 2003 | 91 | 2 |
| 2004 | 148 | 3 |
| 2005 | 65 | 3 |
| 2006 | 74 | 0 |
With 218 complaints, 2001 sits in the middle: five earlier years have more, and 2000 has 216[3]. It has the most recalls of any year, 10 against a next-highest of 7[3]. Years from 2002 on have fewer complaints[3].
Should you buy a used 2001 Stratus?
The record is mixed. Complaints sit in the middle of the Stratus range, but the recall count is the highest of any year[3]. Before buying, confirm that every recall above was done, especially the sun visor recalls, because the 2016 notice says owners get a second email when parts are available[12]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling, steering and suspension wear, and an air bag warning light that stays on and a horn that stops working[2][5][6][7]. The car has no NHTSA star rating[29][30], so a pre-purchase inspection that covers the engine, front suspension and steering is a sensible step.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Stratus?
- By complaint count, the engine leads with 65 of 218 complaints, followed by suspension with 42 and air bags with 29[1][2][5][6]. In the samples we read, owners describe engine stalling, failed ball joints and an air bag warning light that stays on[2][5][6].
- How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Stratus have?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2001 model year, more than any other Stratus year[3]. They cover items such as sun visors, transmission cooler hoses, a fuel return hose and the steering gear[12][14][17][21].
- What gas mileage does the 2001 Dodge Stratus get?
- EPA ratings run from 17 to 20 MPG city and 25 to 28 MPG highway, depending on engine and transmission[22][4][23][26]. The 2.4L manual has the best combined rating at 23 MPG[4].
- Is the 2001 Dodge Stratus the best year?
- On NHTSA counts, 2001 has the most recalls (10) and 218 complaints, which is mid-range[3]. Later years such as 2005 (65 complaints) and 2006 (74 complaints, 0 recalls) have lower counts[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide only.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 218 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Dodge Stratus (11 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 10 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 65 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Stratus model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Stratus, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 42 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,125). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,089). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,112). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,225). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 16V401, filed June 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V338, filed June 2, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V011, filed January 16, 2001: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit And Lines. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V005, filed January 8, 2001: Seats. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V366, filed November 9, 2000: Child Seat. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V320, filed October 27, 2000: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V306, filed October 12, 2000: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V299, filed October 2, 2000: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V278, filed September 18, 2000: Structure › Frame And Members › Underbody Shields. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V225, filed August 10, 2000: Steering › Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Stratus, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Stratus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Stratus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Stratus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Stratus 4 Door, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Stratus 4 Door, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Stratus 4 Door, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records