Complaints
776
Crashes
39
Fires
40
Injuries
27
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Dodge Stratus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1224 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:81,834 mi
Fires:8
#2101 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:91,116 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:13
#338 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:63,000 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Dodge Stratus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 224 | — | 8 | 81,834 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 101 | 1 | 13 | 91,116 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 38 | 1 | 1 | 63,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 23 | 6 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 | 12 | — | 168,000 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 14 | — | — | 80,000 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 12 | — | 2 | 115,651 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 12 | — | — | 11,565 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 10 | — | — | 66,280 mi | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 9 | 1 | — | 110,000 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 9 | 1 | — | 116,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 8 | — | 8 | — | |
| Steering:Linkages | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | — | — | 90,000 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 5 | 1 | — | 136,778 mi |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
224
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
8
Avg Miles
81,834
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
101
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
13
Avg Miles
91,116
Automatic Transmission
38
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
23
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
14
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
—
Avg Miles
168,000
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,000
Engine & Cooling
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
115,651
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
11,565
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,280
Brake Master Cylinder
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
110,000
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,000
Suspension:Front
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
8
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,000
Steering:Rack And Pinion
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
136,778
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge Stratus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Stratus Years
1996 Dodge Stratus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 1996 Dodge Stratus has 776 NHTSA complaints, 39 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 224 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (224 complaints, avg 81,834 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (101 complaints, avg 91,116 mi); Automatic Transmission (38 complaints, avg 63,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 85,575 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Dodge Stratus include 39 crash-related reports, 40 fire reports, 27 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Dodge Stratus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Dodge Stratus?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 1996 Dodge Stratus shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Stratus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Dodge Stratus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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