Complaints
451
Crashes
34
Fires
44
Injuries
29
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Dodge Stratus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1117 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:72,459 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:3
#232 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:50,000 mi
Fires:3
#323 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:60,800 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Dodge Stratus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 117 | 1 | 3 | 72,459 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 32 | — | 3 | 50,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 23 | — | — | 60,800 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 19 | 5 | — | 160,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 18 | 16 | 1 | 138,500 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 17 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | 6 | 219,027 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | — | 1 | 73,082 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 8 | 1 | 7 | 122,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Airbags | 6 | 2 | 1 | 99,333 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 6 | — | — | 123,960 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 5 | — | 2 | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 5 | — | 3 | 136,333 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 3 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
117
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
72,459
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
32
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
50,000
Automatic Transmission
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,800
Unintended Acceleration
19
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
160,000
Air Bags:Frontal
18
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
1
Avg Miles
138,500
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
219,027
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
73,082
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Avg Miles
122,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
99,333
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
123,960
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
136,333
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Stratus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Stratus Years
1997 Dodge Stratus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1997 Dodge Stratus has 451 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 117 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Dodge Stratus?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (117 complaints, avg 72,459 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (32 complaints, avg 50,000 mi); Automatic Transmission (23 complaints, avg 60,800 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 1997 Dodge Stratus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 90,266 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Dodge Stratus include 34 crash-related reports, 44 fire reports, 29 injuries, and 0 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 1997 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 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 1997 Dodge Stratus?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
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 1997 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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