2003 Dodge Stratus Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Stratus.

20022004
Complaints
110
Crashes
8
Fires
0
Injuries
7
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2003 Dodge Stratus Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#111 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:88,832 mi
Crash-related:3
#27 complaints

Suspension:Rear

Avg mileage:84,764 mi
#36 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:52,125 mi
Crash-related:1
Considering a 2003 Dodge Stratus?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Dodge Stratus.

Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
88,832
Suspension:Rear
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,764
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
52,125
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
130,234
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
76,563
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
32,004
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Axle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge Stratus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2003 Dodge Stratus

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~443,442 vehicles.

15V338000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~443,442 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Other Dodge Stratus Years

2003 Dodge Stratus — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2003 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2003 Dodge Stratus has 110 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Airbags with 11 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Dodge Stratus?
Top reported problems: Airbags (11 complaints, avg 88,832 mi); Suspension:Rear (7 complaints, avg 84,764 mi); Electrical Faults (6 complaints, avg 52,125 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 2003 Dodge Stratus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 80,099 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Dodge Stratus?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Dodge Stratus include 8 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 7 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 2003 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 443,442 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2003 Dodge Stratus?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

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 2003 Dodge Stratus

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99