The Lemon Index
20011st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: brakes
Better years to buy
66 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Toyota Camry 482000 Honda Accord 642000 Nissan Altima 45
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2000 Dodge Stratus
- Ball joint / control arm11 complaintsmostly at 95,000–132,000 miles (153,000–212,000 km)
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 72,000–154,000 miles (116,000–248,000 km)
- Fuel pump9 complaintsmostly at 61,000–150,000 miles (98,000–241,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Stratus (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10E059000 (suspension), 09E056000 (suspension) and 09E043000 (equipment) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 42 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 66 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 82K miles (73K to 132K km) on the car (12 of all 66 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Consumer was on a busy bridge when transmission started slipping, and it wouldn't kick into next gear. Odometer went down to zero. Vehicle couldn't go pass 15mph. Vehicle was at dealer being inspected.
2000 Dodge Stratus owner · NHTSA complaint 884411
More owner reports
Brake drums and rotors keep getting warped causing vibration, pulling and loss of pedal. Transmission erratic - drops out of gear at 45mph at least once a week.
NHTSA complaint 741659
When turning steering wheel there is a constant cracking sound, vehicle taken to dealer 8 times, steering column was replaced, but did not remedy the problem.
NHTSA complaint 8002143
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 42 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
- Subject pertains to changes to the timing belt tensioner components
- New automatic transmission fluid usage (atf +4 type 9602)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Suspension · recall issued 2009
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 9 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS.
- Steering · recall issued 2006 2.4L engines only
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
- Child seat · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE …
- Brakes · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Equipment · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPower steering fluid fires2005–2006
- ClosedEngine compartment fires2005
- ClosedSafety belt cinching latch plate2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
Every Dodge Stratus year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-stratus/?y=2000" title="Dodge Stratus reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-stratus/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Dodge Stratus reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 46; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Stratus year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2000 Dodge Stratus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (30%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Stratus have?
9 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Dodge Stratus get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2000 Dodge Stratus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Dodge Stratus cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Dodge Stratus have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Stratus year than the 2000?
Not nearby: the 2000 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Dodge Stratus years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2006 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works