1997 Dodge Stratus: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Dodge Stratus: 4 recalls, 349 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #97V095000 · 1997 · 219,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
Why it matters: If this condition occurs simultaneously without engaging the primary latch, the hood would not be restrained increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
Suspension Vehicle recall #97V201000 · 1997 · 599,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Why it matters: Separation of the ball joint could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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 control arm will be replaced.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #98V183000 · 1998 · 685,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 the key in the locked position, can break the connecting pin in the shifter.
Why it matters: If this happens, the "ignition-park" interlock system will be nonfunctional.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #04V021000 · 2004 · 2,315,768 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Either circumstance May result in the vehicle rolling away without warning.
The fix: 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.
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E088000 · 2006 · 39,243 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 to the fuel pump module.
Why it matters: Fuel restriction could result in loss of power and/or engine stall, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Ti automotive will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pump modules free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2006.
Suspension Equipment recall #09E056000 · 2009 · 5,787 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 arms, d10945 and d10946, are stamped with the following dates on the ball joints: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909,…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Qualis automotive will replace the ball joints free of charge. The safety recall began on November 9, 2009.
Suspension Equipment recall #10E059000 · 2010 · 22,689 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If there is a separation of the ball stud from the housing, the driver can loose steering control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Federal-mogul will notify owners of record and replace the affected control arms free of charge. The safety recall began on January 28, 2011.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 32 mention a fire, 23 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (158): the most common themes are leaks (80), fire / smoke (13), overheating (9).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (42): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (10), noise or vibration (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (36): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (13), leaks (5).
- Electrical (31): the most common themes are fire / smoke (17), electrical failure (16), door / lock issues (4).
The 1997 Dodge Stratus has 349 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 14 Stratus model years for complaints (1.8× the average Stratus year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (77 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 95,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (554 complaints, 7 recalls), 1998 (272 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Dodge Stratus.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Dodge Stratus, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Dodge Stratus problems?
Owners have filed 349 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (158), brakes (hydraulic) (42), transmission & drivetrain (36).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Dodge Stratus get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Dodge Stratus repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.