The Lemon Index
200320052nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
68 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Toyota Camry 852004 Honda Accord 612004 Nissan Altima 36
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Dodge Stratus
- Struts / shocks18 complaintsmostly at 67,000–90,000 miles (108,000–145,000 km)
- Engine stalling15 complaintsmostly at 34,000–60,000 miles (55,000–97,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm12 complaintsmostly at 85,000–139,000 miles (137,000–224,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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 17,000 and 56,000 miles (27,000–90,000 km) (the middle half of the 48 complaints, of all 68 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 7 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 oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Dodge sent dealers 57 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The front heated seat control modules may cause the seat elements to overheat under certain…”?
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 68 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 16K to 56K miles (27K to 90K km) on the car (48 of all 68 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 at a stop engine light illuminated. Vehicle then started to jerk forward. Consumer preceded to drive home. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
2004 Dodge Stratus owner · NHTSA complaint 10094624
More owner reports
2004 Stratus made a whistling noise that came from the engine when driving 70-80 mph.
NHTSA complaint 10159465
While driving on I-290 ( 3 lane super highway just outside chicago) the asd (automatic shut down) switch activated and turned my car off. I coasted to an exit but the car would not restart.
NHTSA complaint 10067639
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 57 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The front heated seat control modules may cause the seat elements to overheat under certain…
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- 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 7 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 2004
ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.
- 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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$3,600 (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. 2004 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=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Dodge Stratus reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 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 59; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Stratus year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2004 Dodge Stratus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (19%), engine (16%) and airbags (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Stratus have?
7 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 2004 Dodge Stratus get?
20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Stratus problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 17,000 and 56,000 miles (27,000–90,000 km) (the middle half of the 48 complaints, of all 68 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 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 2004 Dodge Stratus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Dodge Stratus cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Dodge Stratus have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Stratus year is better than the 2004?
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