The Lemon Index
200220042nd generation
37 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Toyota Camry 892003 Honda Accord 1502003 Nissan Altima 116
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Dodge Stratus
- Ball joint / control arm10 complaintsmostly at 64,000–111,000 miles (103,000–178,000 km)
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 20,000–90,000 miles (32,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 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 9,200 and 40,000 miles (15,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 37 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 15V338000 (airbags), 10E059000 (suspension) and 09E056000 (suspension) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- 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 60 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Delayed or temporary loss of transmission engagement after initial start up on various models…”?
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 37 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 9K to 40K miles (15K to 64K km) on the car (22 of all 37 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 turning left vehicle stalled. Dealer stated the computer system malfunctioned. As a result, the check engine lights came on and the trunk popped open.
2003 Dodge Stratus owner · NHTSA complaint 10081908
More owner reports
Turned into a parking spotand heard something pop in steering wheel area. Now the air bag light is staying on, horn does not work and cruise control not working.I have not repaired the problem at this time.
NHTSA complaint 10148930
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 60 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Delayed or temporary loss of transmission engagement after initial start up on various models…
- Transmission harsh 4-3 downshift on various models including the 2004 pacifica, sebring,…
- Computer driver chip that could fail
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- 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.
- Suspension · recall issued 2009
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- 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…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
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. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-stratus/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Dodge Stratus reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 77; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Stratus year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Stratus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (22%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 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 2003 Dodge Stratus get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Stratus problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,200 and 40,000 miles (15,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 37 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 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 2003 Dodge Stratus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 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 2003 Dodge Stratus have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Stratus year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2006 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
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