The Lemon Index
20052nd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: engine
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
27 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Toyota Camry 402006 Honda Accord 442006 Nissan Altima 108
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Dodge Stratus
- Ball joint / control arm15 complaintsmostly at 30,000–156,000 miles (48,000–251,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 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 34,000 and 53,000 miles (54,000–85,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 27 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 10E059000 (suspension), 09E056000 (suspension) and 07E023000 (brakes) done? 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 26 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 27 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 33K to 53K miles (54K to 85K km) on the car (24 of all 27 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 driving a rented Dodge Stratus with the cruise control set at 60 mph the vehicle began to slow down to 35 mph. The driver was unable to get the vehicle to accelerate and pulled onto the shoulder of the road.
2006 Dodge Stratus owner · NHTSA complaint 10157295
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 26 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 3
- 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.
- 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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$2,850 (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.
Every Dodge Stratus year. 2006 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=2006" 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/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Dodge Stratus reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Dodge Stratus reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 42; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2006 Dodge Stratus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (41%), airbags (22%) and electrical (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Stratus have?
3 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 2006 Dodge Stratus get?
21 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Stratus problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 34,000 and 53,000 miles (54,000–85,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 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 2006 Dodge Stratus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Dodge Stratus cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Dodge Stratus have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Stratus year than the 2006?
Not nearby: the 2006 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Dodge Stratus years within 3 model years of it.
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