The Lemon Index
200420062nd generation
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota Camry 772005 Honda Accord 502005 Nissan Altima 123
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Dodge Stratus
- Ball joint / control arm11 complaintsmostly at 115,000–130,000 miles (185,000–209,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 18 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
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.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Dodge sent dealers 39 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…”?
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 18 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 19K to 56K miles (31K to 90K km) on the car (18 of all 18 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
Defective engine design. Oil sludge build up in 2001 Dodge intrepid 2.7l engine, leading to dealer diagnosis of engine replacement needed, when vehicle has been seerviced per vehicle manual.
2005 Dodge Stratus owner · NHTSA complaint 10116845
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 39 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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…
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
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
- 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…
- Steering · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND CONVERTIBLE MODEL VEHICLES, THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE COMPONENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR OUTBOARD RETRACTOR AND TURNING LOOP BOLTS ON THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
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. 2005 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 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-stratus/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Dodge Stratus reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Dodge Stratus reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 18 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Dodge Stratus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (56%), airbags (22%) and electrical (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 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 2005 Dodge Stratus get?
21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Dodge Stratus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 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 2005 Dodge Stratus have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Stratus year is better than the 2005?
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