The Lemon Index
200120032nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
65 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Toyota Camry 1072002 Honda Accord 452002 Nissan Altima 123
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Dodge Stratus
- Engine failure16 complaintsmostly at 77,000–98,000 miles (124,000–158,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm16 complaintsmostly at 65,000–186,000 miles (104,000–299,000 km)
- Struts / shocks10 complaintsmostly at 60,000–87,000 miles (97,000–140,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 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
Most problems on this year showed up between 22,000 and 53,000 miles (35,000–85,000 km) (the middle half of the 40 complaints, of all 65 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V401000 (airbags), 15V338000 (airbags) and 10E059000 (suspension) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 72 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Low or no cabin heat, engine overheating and / or coolant bottle damage after service”?
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 65 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 22K to 52K miles (35K to 85K km) on the car (40 of all 65 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
While parked, the vehicle engage into drive or reverse.
2002 Dodge Stratus owner · NHTSA complaint 10081943
More owner reports
I took my Stratus into the dealership for its free oil change. While driving there my "brake" idiot light flickered on a few times when stopping. I asked the dealer to look into this.
NHTSA complaint 10073071
Brakes failed while applyed at 55 mph, brake pedal went to the floor, and caused a vehicle crash. Dealer notified.
NHTSA complaint 8012838
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 72 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Low or no cabin heat, engine overheating and / or coolant bottle damage after service
- Transaxle that will not move or slips in reverse or first gear
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
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.
- 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.
Show all 6 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2009
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
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
- 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–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Dodge Stratus year. 2002 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 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-stratus/?y=2002" 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/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Dodge Stratus reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 56; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Stratus year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2002 Dodge Stratus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (25%), brakes (15%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Dodge Stratus get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Stratus problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 22,000 and 53,000 miles (35,000–85,000 km) (the middle half of the 40 complaints, of all 65 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Dodge Stratus cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Dodge Stratus have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Stratus year than the 2002?
Not nearby: the 2002 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