Complaints
334
Crashes
30
Fires
19
Injuries
24
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Dodge Stratus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#177 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:65,456 mi
#221 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:74,862 mi
Fires:1
#314 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:71,434 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Dodge Stratus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 77 | — | — | 65,456 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 21 | — | 1 | 74,862 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 14 | 4 | 1 | 71,434 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 14 | 2 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 | 13 | — | 98,580 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 13 | — | 3 | 71,911 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 9 | 2 | — | 90,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 | — | — | 65,000 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | 2 | 50,000 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | 5 | — | — | 70,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | 2 | 147,500 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 5 | — | — | 78,788 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | 53,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 3 | — | 1 | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
77
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,456
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
74,862
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
14
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
71,434
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
13
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,580
Engine & Cooling
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
71,911
Automatic Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
50,000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,000
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
147,500
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,788
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,000
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Stratus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Stratus Years
1998 Dodge Stratus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Dodge Stratus has 334 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 77 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Dodge Stratus?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (77 complaints, avg 65,456 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (21 complaints, avg 74,862 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (14 complaints, avg 71,434 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 1998 Dodge Stratus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 73,221 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Dodge Stratus include 30 crash-related reports, 19 fire reports, 24 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 1998 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 Dodge Stratus?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
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 1998 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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