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Dodge Stratus VIN Check

NHTSA holds 2,111 owner complaints on the Dodge Stratus from 633 production runs; the worst run has 37, the typical one 3.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 2,111 complaints · 633 runs · 1995–2006 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Stratus run is 1B3EJ46XXTN (1996 builds) with 37 complaints, 11.2× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 33% of reports; 1996 is the worst model year at 5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns for Stratus model years 1995–2006.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Dodge Stratus has 633 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Stratus complaint on file.

FIG.01·Dodge Stratus — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1B3EJ46XXTN••••••19963732
1B3EJ46X5TN••••••19963613
1B3EJ46X4TN••••••199632—1
1B3EJ46X8TN••••••199627—1
1B3EJ46X6VN••••••199726—2
1B3EJ46X0TN••••••1996262—
1B3EJ46X3TN••••••19962512
1B3EJ46X3VN••••••19972414
1B3EJ46X1TN••••••199624—2
1B3EJ46X2TN••••••19962312
1B3EJ46X6YN••••••200023110
1B3EJ46X7TN••••••199622—1
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 621 Stratus runs has 22 complaints or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Dodge Stratus the gap between build years is 2.9×: a 1996 car draws 5 complaints per run, a 2003 one 1.7.

FIG.02·Dodge Stratus — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20062.4622617
20051.7533210
20041.71197223
20031.766384
20021.9131699
20012.4143608
20004.21834411
19994.82014217
19984.12075022
19974.22676320
199654368728
19953.22437618
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 1996 at 5 complaints per run; lightest is 2003 at 1.7.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 33% of everything Dodge Stratus owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 756 of 2,111 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Dodge Stratus — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Engine And Engine Cooling756546
Service Brakes251436
Steering2361766
Power Train230912
Hydraulic226394
Suspension22081
Electrical System204960
Air Bags147913
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 34 recall campaigns on the Dodge Stratus; the 6 below cover build years 1995 to 2006. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Dodge Stratus — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
10E059000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm1995–2006
09E056000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint1995–2006
07E023000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder2001–2006
06E088000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump1995–2000
15V338000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2001–2005
04V021000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift1995–1999
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

How serious were they

Of the 2,111 reports on the Dodge Stratus, 8.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Dodge Stratus — complaint severity
OutcomeDodge StratusAll vehicles
Complaints filed2,1111,115,966
Involved a crash187 (8.9%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire201 (9.5%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported14458,013
Deaths reported42,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 53% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Dodge Stratus share of that is 2,111 complaints over 633 runs, 0.19% of everything on record.

Everything on the Dodge Stratus
Recalls94 campaignsFuel economy27 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems3,006 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space16 cu ftWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1995–2006

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Dodge Stratus VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,111 NHTSA complaints from 633 Stratus runs and 34 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Stratus production run has the most complaints?

1B3EJ46XXTN, a 1996 build, with 37 complaints, 3 of them after a crash. The typical Stratus run has 3.3.

Which Stratus years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 1996 is heaviest at 5 complaints per run and 2003 lightest at 1.7.

How many Stratus complaints involve a crash?

8.9% of 2,111 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 201 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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