A Dodge Stratus VIN opens with 1B3 (the United States). Position 11, the plant, shows 8 codes, most often N (96%); a 2006 Stratus carries 6 in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 34 recall campaigns and 2,088 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Dodge Stratus VIN
Here is a real 2006 Dodge Stratus VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 1B3AL46T36N220590 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Where Dodge Stratus VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 3 Dodge Stratus VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:
| WMI | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on file | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B3 | United States | — | 3 |
Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.
Model-year codes for the Dodge Stratus
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Dodge Stratus has not yet outlived: its 12 years still map one-to-one. All 12 model years of the Dodge Stratus, 1995 to 2006, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | — |
| 2000 | Y | — |
| 1999 | X | — |
| 1998 | W | — |
| 1997 | V | — |
| 1996 | T | — |
| 1995 | S | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Dodge Stratus VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 3 VINs the Dodge Stratus uses 5 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | E (67%) · A (33%) | 2 distinct |
| 5 — series | L (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | T (67%) · R (33%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded Dodge Stratus VIN gets you
Behind a Dodge Stratus VIN: 2,088 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 34 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 2,088 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 22 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 12 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Dodge Stratus
A Dodge Stratus VIN normally opens with 1B3; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Dodge Stratus VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 34 recall campaigns and 2,088 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Dodge Stratus.
What year is my Stratus by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2006 Stratus carries 6, a 2005 Stratus carries 5, a 2004 Stratus carries 4.
Where was my Stratus built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 2,066 dated Dodge Stratus VINs it reads N 96%, E 3%, 1 1%, 5 0% and 4 rarer codes.
What does position 4 mean on a Dodge Stratus VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 3 Dodge Stratus VINs here, E is the most common character in position 4, on 67% of them.
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