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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  ups and downs - 1995 Dodge Stratus
  By jojm - December 10 - 2:00 am

  very good first few years. main problem is dodge...they simply are unwilling or unable to fix problems.

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  girst and last time I buy a Dodge - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By mdmissymarie - December 4 - 2:00 am

  The place I bought the car from was great! The didnt try to hassel me or make me feel stupid. thats about where The good news ends. I wii never buy another Dodge. At abot 30000 miles the back wheel broke. Some bolts broke and the tire was at about a 45 degree angle to the car. The paid for most of that to get fixed then my fan switch broke all within a year of ownership. oh yeah when the wipers are on and I turn the wheel or use the blinker the lights in the car power flux (change brightness) Ive heard dodge trucks are made better than there cars. I sure hope they are But I will never find out first hand this is my last dodge experience.

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  AVOID DODGE AT ALL COSTS - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By ddave - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Have owned two Stratus, a 96 and a 97. Both have been complete lemons. The 97 which unfortunately I still own and have owned since new has been a nightmare. The problems are extensive. With only 50,000 miles on the car I have had 3 master cylinders, new head gasket, blown motor, new motor installed. New motor blew valve cover gasket and cam shaft seal. Brakes go to floor. Electrical problems, ecm replaced, bcm needs replaced, O2 sensor failed prematurely. I WILL NEVER EVER AGAIN BY FROM CHRYSLER.

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  big mistake - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By matt - April 16 - 2:00 am

  the more people i come across the more i see the same problems with this car head gasket front end parts and the head i have spent over 3500 just to keep it running the first year and a half i had it and i did find out other people had the same problem

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  NOT happy - 1995 Dodge Stratus
  By NOT happy - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems since the purchase date. The thing can eat brakes more than anything, crap transmission, and who thought to put the battery under the fender? Looks great, runs horribly.

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  Can you say Electrical Problem? - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By 7TimeChamp_3 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I should have known better than to by another Dodge. Much like my 97 Caravan this car has been one problem after another. My ABS has failed 4 times on the car and Chrysler has done very little to try to fix it. The 5 speed is hard to shift, often requiring a double clutch to get the car to shift, which the dealer tells me is normal. I have been driving manual shift cars for 15 years and have never had these issues. The car is sluggish, our other car is an 02 VW Cabrio with a 4 banger and it runs every but as well as my R/T. Dealer tells me that is the thin air in Colorado. I think the car is thin on good old HP.

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  Lemon -- Leaks Oil All the Time - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By LouisvilleKY - September 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is a lemon! Avoid it!!! After replacing the head gasket, valve cover gasket, transmission pan gasket, and the transmission cooler hose lines at 55,000 miles it still leaks fluid.

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  This car stinks - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By angrydodgeowner - August 7 - 2:00 am

  I have spent over $3,000 in repairs on this vehicle during a three-year period. I have had to replace the head gasket and have a new transmission put in. Plus, I just had to have new transmission seals replaced after 40,000 miles. The mechanic told me there is no air that gets to these seals so fluid builds up on them and they heat up and crack. These cars are pieces of crap. I would not recommend this car to my worst enemy. Dont buy this car!!!!

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  Dont buy Stratus - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By ssevim - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car like 15 months ago. The engine leaks oil (parts are only $30, but the repair cost is $650), There is a noise I dont even understand what it is ($450), Driver window is not working ($350) etc. The car is made out of junk and there are problems everywhere. If you decide to sell it, it doesnt worth that much. I think I should give it away and forget Dodge forever!

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  Both A Clunker & Junker Combined! - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By achaulk - April 30 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is by far the worst that Ive owned. From the undersized rotors that need to be replaced annually, to the leaky engine, this car never ceases to need service. The 4-cylinder engine is notorious for head gasket failures as Ive had to have the dealer-replaced head gasket replaced yet again. Also, the oil galley plug, also originally replaced by the dealer, leaked again. Ive also had to replace the rear motor mount since the oil ate away at the rubber parts. I also have to contend with yearly rotor and brake replacement. Not only was the car poor to begin with, but each of items replaced by the dealer failed again. This vehicle is terrible!