MotorDeets

2005 Dodge Stratus: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2005 Dodge Stratus: 3 recalls, 62 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.

3vehicle recalls
62owner complaints
14mention a crash
24best combined mpg
2005 Dodge Stratus
Photo: IFCAR · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

3 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.

Seat belts Vehicle recall #04V532000 · 2004 · 8,000 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain sedans, the left and right rear outboard retractor and turning loop bolts on the seat belts May not have been properly tightened.

Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the affected fasteners. The recall began on November 15, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Steering Vehicle recall #04V579000 · 2004 · 26,354 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain sedans and convertible model vehicles, the right steering knuckle May have been damaged during the component manufacturing process.

Why it matters: This could cause the steering knuckle to crack and separate from the upper control arm, which could result in a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the right steering knuckle. The recall began on December 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

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.

3 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.

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, 11 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Suspension18
Engine & cooling14
Steering13
Airbags9
Wheels5
Electrical5
Engine5
Brakes5

What owners describe

The 2005 Dodge Stratus has 62 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 14 Stratus model years for complaints (well below the 190 average). Complaints peaked in 2008 (11 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 73,083 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (144 complaints, 3 recalls), 2006 (74 complaints, 0 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.4 L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive212924Regular
2.4 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive192621Regular
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive182521Premium
3.0 L 6-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive182721Premium
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic (S4)Front-Wheel Drive182521Premium

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 2005 Dodge Stratus.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2005 Dodge Stratus manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2005 Dodge Stratus manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2005 Dodge Stratus manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2005 Dodge Stratus manual

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FAQ

Does the 2005 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2005 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 2005 Dodge Stratus problems?

Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (18), engine & cooling (14), steering (13).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Dodge Stratus get?

EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2005 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.

Other Stratus years

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