Overview & Reviews

Excellent midsized sedan gets a more responsive torque converter when equipped with the 2.5-liter V6. New colors and a power sunroof are also new for 1996.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 29.00

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  dodge stratus es - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By Reazonz - May 25 - 2:06 pm

  Bought it in 1997 ive only had to replance the radiator, water pump and radiator hose everything else is still great I just hit 140,000 miles and im still goin strong I get the oil changed every 3,500 miles the a/c compresser just wen out this summer and its lookin at about $300 to fix I never really used it often so I wont get it fixed until I need to.

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  Decent family transportation - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By Pete_S4 - June 11 - 2:00 am

  I had this car from 1996 to 2000 and put about 65,000 miles on it in that time. The motor and transmission were trouble free for the entire time I owned the car. The steering rack was replaced under warranty along with the tie rod ends. I also had to have the interior control module replaced under warranty due to a failed dome light. This car was basically fun to drive, but I do wish I had bought the VR6 GTI I had also been looking at.

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  It kind of works, but keeps breaking dow - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By FIrstnicecar - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought it in 98 with 24,000 miles. Its been fairly reliable, except weve had to replace the Steering Rack 3 times, yes 3 times. And everytime we do that, you need a new Steering Pump, as well as Ti-rods. Car has now about 120,000 miles and we just put the 3rd Steering rack in February, and its started making a funny noise that may be the struts or the steering. Just waiting for something major to happen, and this car is done for.

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  meh - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By hoeun - March 25 - 2:00 am

  got it brand new back in 96. ive been driving this car for 4 years. my mom had it before me. before i started driving, it was taken goodcare of and was driven very softly (never over 3000 rpm). when i took over, i abused the 2.4lt engine. i put it throught alot of tests and trials. i do give it regualr oil changes, but my average peak rpm when im accelerating is 4500. i get bad gas milage only due to my driving style. we had to replace the head gasket, transmission twice, and whole lot of brake jobs. but considering my driving style, it was reasonable. right now it has little ove 150000miles, and its still going strong.

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  couriers car - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By jthull - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in 96 and rarely used it until 98 when I started to use it for work. I have the 2.0 sohc base model 5 speed manual. At 65000 it did need a new headgasket. The only other major expenses have been the front bearings or hub assembly. (part is a lot). replaced alternator once. fixed ac unit once but after 52000 miles it started to leak again THIS CAR HAS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE AND THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH!!!! LAST FRIDAY 2/27/04 MY STRATUS TURNED OVER 300000 MILES AND STILL GETS 31 MILES TO THE GALLON. I DRIVE ABOUT 200 MILES A DAY AROUND 52000 MILES A YEAR. THE SIZE OF THE CAR IN CONNECTION WITH THE MPG,LOVE IT

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  good car in the city - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By todd recker - June 11 - 2:00 am

  ive had this car for a year and have not had one problem. i am the second owner and i bought it w/ 65,000 miles and have 78,000 on it now. the paint quality is awesome with no rust spots. the car still has the original battery after 7yrs. the car is beautiful inside and outside. the 1st owner only had regular maintence plus a new A/C UNIT put on it and a steering pump. NO HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT ALL!!!!! the only two problems i have is that the door rattles everytime i hit a bump and the tires stink too.

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  Great car for the money - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By bfulmer - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Stratus ES for almost 4 years now and I absolutely love it. Even though I had to put a new tranny in it at 115K, its been extremely reliable. I put at least 25K on it a year driving from MD to Cape Cod several times a year plus to clients as far as 150 mi. per day. Its strong, great in the snow and the Auto Shift is awesome. Very spacious inside, room enough for 5. I have 171K on it now and its still going.

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  Stratus 96 2.4L - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By asdfjkl - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Overall car is good. Love the look and interior space.

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  FRobyne - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By FRobyne - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I am the first registered owner of this vehicle. I have been very pleased with the ride and styling. I expected better gas mileage. At 50000 the head gasket began leaking on the 2.4 ltr engine. I know of four other owners who have experienced this same problem with the same size engine. The other vehicles were 1998, 1999, and 2000.

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  Mr - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By Junglejim - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Purchased as a lease return in 1998. Since trhen I have had only 1 problem - head gasket failure which was a common thing for this era of Chrysler cars. In spite of being out of warranty Time wise, it was repaired for only a deductible charge to me. It has been very reliable, and the finish is still spectacular. It has been an excellent car for me.