2001 Dodge Stratus: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2001 Dodge Stratus: 10 recalls, 186 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #00V225002 · 2000 · 2,865 vehicles
What's wrong: A nut in the steering gear assembly was not properly tightened, resulting in symptoms ranging from steering wheel vibration to stiff steering, and in the worst case, no ability to turn left.
Why it matters: A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the steering gear assembly if a loose nut connection is found.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #00V278000 · 2000 · 4,504 vehicles
What's wrong: Through degradation of the bond between the silencer pad and a sheet metal panel (quarter inner upper), the pad May fall onto the map light located in the rear seating area near the c-pillar trim panel (lh and rh). This contact could cause the pad to melt, creating a hot smell and/or smoke during long periods of illumination.
Why it matters: Smoke inhalation could be harmful to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Dealers will remove the insulation pad from behind both rear map lights.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #00V299002 · 2000 · 554 vehicles
What's wrong: The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit.
Why it matters: Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield will cause the wiring insulation to wear and eventually to ground out. This could cause the engine to die-out, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will re-route the crankshaft position sensor harness.
Airbags Vehicle recall #00V306000 · 2000 · 419 vehicles
What's wrong: Passenger air bags were built with suspect aluminum extrusion sections which May not retain the air bag door during an air bag deployment event.
Why it matters: A separated air bag door could injure a vehicle occupant.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #00V320002 · 2000 · 3,480 vehicles
What's wrong: The outer layer only of this 3-layer fuel return hose does not contain the desired ozone protection due to a processing error.
Why it matters: This hose is considered to be inadequate.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel return hose.
Child seat Vehicle recall #00V366000 · 2000 · 1,211,756 vehicles
What's wrong: 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the child seat May not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
The fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Seats Vehicle recall #01V005002 · 2001 · 20 vehicles
What's wrong: A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the bolts May not properly secure the seat and could cause increased injury to the driver of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the seat mounting bolts and then replace the bolts if necessary. Owner notification began February 5, 2001.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #01V011002 · 2001 · 28,439 vehicles
What's wrong: A hose manufacturing process allowed the reinforcement yard to breach the inner layer of some automatic transmission hoses weakening the inner wall which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.
Why it matters: Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transaxle oil cooler hoses. Owner notification began April 9, 2001.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V338000 · 2015 · 443,442 vehicles
What's wrong: Mitsubishi motors north america, Inc. (mmna) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 eclipse spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the…
Why it matters: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: Mmna will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V401000 · 2016 · 16,315 vehicles
What's wrong: Mitsubishi motors north america, Inc. (mmna) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler sebring and Dodge stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part May not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded…
Why it matters: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #07E023000 · 2007 · 13,128 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987mza, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than dca7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The seal on master cylinder can fail and leak brake fluid.
Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
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. 2 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (58): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (21), noise or vibration (21), warning light on (6).
- Suspension (41): the most common themes are noise or vibration (16), steering problems (9).
- Steering (26): the most common themes are steering problems (21), noise or vibration (14), warning light on (5).
- Airbags (26): the most common themes are warning light on (10).
The 2001 Dodge Stratus has 186 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 14 Stratus model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 190). Complaints peaked in 2003 (26 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 70,185 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (216 complaints, 5 recalls), 2002 (150 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | 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 2001 Dodge Stratus.
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FAQ
Does the 2001 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Dodge Stratus, plus 4 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 2001 Dodge Stratus problems?
Owners have filed 186 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (58), suspension (41), steering (26).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Dodge Stratus get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2001 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.