Overview & Reviews

Introduced in the mid-'90s, the Dodge Stratus was a replacement for the aging and boxy Spirit. It was one of three sedans based on Chrysler's "JA" platform, including the Plymouth Breeze and Chrysler Cirrus. Among these triplets, the Stratus was touted as the sportiest, and it took the role as the midsize car in Dodge's lineup.

The first-generation Dodge Stratus was known mostly for its sharp styling, roomy interior and value. Dodge followed it up with a redesigned model for the start of the new millennium that featured additional safety equipment and a more powerful V6 engine. A coupe model also debuted.

The Stratus had a decent run but ultimately never achieved the superstar status that Dodge had hoped for. In terms of refinement, build quality and reputation for reliability, it couldn't match top import models. Production ended after the second generation. As a used sedan or coupe, the Stratus is a fair choice. Consumers prioritizing price or exterior styling might find it worth a look.

Most Recent Dodge Stratus

The second and last generation of the Dodge Stratus covered model years 2001-'06. Sedan and coupe body styles were offered. Mechanically, there is a fair amount of difference between the two. The Stratus coupe (formerly known as the Avenger) was actually based on the Mitsubishi Eclipse of the time and differed from its Japanese cousin mainly in its sheet metal. The Stratus sedan was still a Chrysler design.

A large trunk and fairly roomy interior, thanks to Chrysler's "Cab Forward" design philosophy, were two of the Stratus sedan's strong points. Another was the car's handling -- it felt sportier than many other mid-priced, midsize sedans of the time. Even so, most used Stratus shoppers will likely be attracted mainly by the price, as the cars haven't really held their value the way Japanese sedans of the same size would. The Stratus coupe could be a good buy for someone who wants a comfy, V6-powered coupe as opposed to a small, high-strung sports car.

In general, coupes were available in base SXT and sporty R/T versions. Sedans came in base SE, midgrade SXT, luxury-oriented ES and R/T guise. Stratus coupes were powered by a 2.4-liter inline-4 producing 147 horsepower; R/T versions had a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 200 ponies. Both engines could be had with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

The sedans had Chrysler engines. Some models were fitted with a 150-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, but most had a 200-hp 2.7-liter V6. All sedans came with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Past Dodge Stratus Models

The first generation Dodge Stratus was available from 1995-2000. The sedan (there was no coupe) was originally offered in two trim levels: base and slightly more luxurious ES. Base models had a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine making 132 hp. Optional was a larger 2.4-liter making 150 hp. For the ES, Dodge offered a 168-hp, 2.5-liter V6.

There were no major changes to this generation, so potential buyers shouldn't feel a need to focus on any particular year. At the time, the Stratus earned high marks for its edgy styling and larger-than-expected interior and trunk.

User Reviews:

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  Worst car ever! - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By sara singh - March 8 - 10:03 am

  I have had this car for only 7 months and it has all kinds of issues, the suspension is bad, transmission, I had to replace the axles, sway bar, tie rods,bearings, had a transmission leak, break lights,etc. the list goes on and on, it has 177,000 miles on it and it has noises everywhere! I will never get a car like that again

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  Lemon - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By alitap0408 - February 19 - 10:45 am

  I bought this car three years old about four years ago. It performed great for about the first year and then it was a slippery slope not to mention an expensive one from there. I have replaced three transmissions (yes you read it right this is an automatic) and three batteries. The thing eats brake roaters for breakfast and I have to replace them about every 6 thousand miles as they warp. My lovely now has patches of white where the paint has done some sort of baking (it has been in a garage the whole time. The factory tinting on all of the windows has decided to start crawling down the windows.I think Dodge should be ashamed of themselves for putting such a poor quality vehicle on the road.

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  I would never buy a Dodge again! - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By DonnaGrace64 - November 30 - 11:19 pm

  When I purchased this car in Dec 2005 and it still had miles left on the original warranty, I was happy. But I wasnt thinking that I needed to get it in for servce right away and within a few months I had to replace the transmission. Now the Shock Mounts/struts holding the rear shocks in place have broken and I need to replace them. I have so many problems with this car ever since I bought it - and the dealership I took it to for service just expects me to accept the broken mounts due to "salt and corrosion" as normal -even though the car is only about 5 years from the manufacture date- That I should have no problem with having to pay $550.00 for this repair. Ill never buy a Dodge again!!!

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  lemon - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By lori454 - October 2 - 12:38 pm

  I bought this Stratus rt new in 02,Since then I have spent a small fortune keeping this thing on the road.I had a third radiator put in this summer.Went thru 5 batteries.Two starters,alternator.The brake rotors last about 7k miles and then warp.It uses a quart of oil a week.now the egr valve is shot.This car was the biggest mistake I ever made in my life.

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  Worst Car Ever.. - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By morgan06 - June 13 - 9:19 am

  Please please do not buy this unless you are extremely well off and can afford to replace everything! I have had nothing but problems since I got it 2 years ago. It has 70,000 miles and has had a new timing belt, housing unit, magnetic cam sensor, computer and more that i cannot remember now....and it still is not working. The dodge dealer cant figure it out! Do not buy this car. Spend a little more and get something reliable that works.

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  Shouldve been named the Lemon - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By Lane - December 30 - 1:34 am

  Extensive repairs, followed by more broken parts have been the story of my experience with this car. Bought it at 132k miles and had problems immediately. Poor insulation has led to leaks inside the passenger compartment during rain storms. The AC has numerous leaks in the line and has never worked. Still having engine and transmission problems. Do not buy this vehicle unless you can pay 4x its value in repairs!

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  Stressed out Stratus - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Stressed out stratus - December 10 - 2:29 am

  At only 54,300 miles the outer tie-rod snapped at joint. Vehicle is not driven hard or abusively. More problems found at time of oil change maintenance 60,000 miles. Good thing I purchased the extended warranty. Oil leak from front of engine. Transmission fluid leak from solinoid pack on side of transmission. Warranty covers work and I pay $100 deductable.

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  Whats up with the Brakes - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Not Happy - May 6 - 9:46 am

  I hate my Stratus. The interior is dark. Should be overhead lights or lighting on the shift. And the brakes. Ha - mine squeal so bad Im embarrassed to stop beside someone. The dealership claims there is nothing wrong. I read that if you reverse the calibers it was suppose to help, but my mechanic doesnt understand what that would do. The sound is worse then a dump truck. I hate this car and if I wasnt so upside down on it,I would trade it in today, Calling Dodge or Chrysler doesnt help.

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  Disappointed - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By bran222 - May 1 - 10:40 am

  We bought this car with 18 miles. It was our first New car. The second day we owned it the engine light came on. We had to have the emissions system replaced. Since then the drivers power window has had to be fixed, I have taken it to the dealer 3 times about the brakes and transmission and they say everything is okay. Now that its just out of warranty (we hit 40,000 last month) I am told the front wheel bearings both need to be replaced! I know the transmission still slips and is very jerky or slow to shift into gear. The brakes have been loud for months. Trade in is 8,000 and I have the V6 engine! Very disappointed, nothing but problems from the start!

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  Not very happy with this car - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By jg - March 31 - 12:18 pm

  I bought this car used in August of 2006, it had 14,000 miles on it then. I am having to replace the head gasket now. When they were removing the parts to redo the head gasket, the front motor mount broke in half, we found that it was made from very thin aluminum instead of steel. We also discovered that this wasnt the first time that this vehicle has had Major work done on it, had to have been before it reached 14,000 miles. I am kind of leary of this vehicle now, and think that I will soon be looking for a new one.