1996 Dodge Stratus Recalls, Complaints & Specs
7 safety recalls list the 1996 Dodge Stratus, and owners have filed 554 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
7 safety recalls for the 1996 Dodge Stratus
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Floor shift (power train)
On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock may fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. An inoperative interlock may also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the park position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new load-limiting push rod into the floor shifter lever of the affected vehicles. Owner notification began on june 14, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
-
Park/neutral start interlock switch (power train)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button. A combination of applying a mis-adjusted release button with a low…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
-
Suspension: lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage. If the cover seal leaks or the boot is damaged, the…
-
Hinge and attachments (structure)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
-
Master cylinder (service brakes)
The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
-
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)
Corrosion of the ABS hydraulic control unit can cause the solenoid valves to stick in the open position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a plate and silicone grease injected into the solenoid cavity to eliminate the potential for this condition.
-
Gasoline (engine and engine cooling)
In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Remedy: Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.
554 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Dodge Stratus have filed 554 complaints with NHTSA; 36 describe a crash and 36 describe a fire. Reports cite 26 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 99,061 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 119 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“R&r front left wheel bearing fix, hub & bearing assembly total cost $214.55 clean engine total cost $83.46 engine oil leak, tried oil stop leak & seems to be working for the time being. Radiator/antif”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 4, 2015 · Wheels
“General tire altimax rt size 195/70r14 bulge on sidewall when installed a brand new tire. After installation observed one of four tires with a bulge on sidewall of tire. Bulge not an indentation. Vehi”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 12, 2014 · Tires
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Dodge Stratus. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–26 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–22 / 26–33 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2/2.4/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Dodge Stratus model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge Stratus model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 Dodge Stratus | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 Dodge Stratus | 7 | 318 |
| 1996 Dodge Stratus | 7 | 554 |
| 1997 Dodge Stratus | 4 | 349 |
| 1998 Dodge Stratus | 3 | 272 |
| 1999 Dodge Stratus | 3 | 251 |
| 2000 Dodge Stratus | 5 | 216 |
| 2001 Dodge Stratus | 10 | 186 |
| 2002 Dodge Stratus | 2 | 150 |
| 2003 Dodge Stratus | 2 | 75 |
| 2004 Dodge Stratus | 3 | 144 |
| 2005 Dodge Stratus | 3 | 62 |
| 2006 Dodge Stratus | 0 | 74 |
| 2007 Dodge Stratus | 0 | 2 |
Checking a specific 1996 Dodge Stratus
How do I know if my 1996 Dodge Stratus has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 7 campaigns currently list the 1996 Dodge Stratus; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V021000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Dodge models
- Durango13,770 complaints
- Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
- RAM 150012,416 complaints
- Caravan10,526 complaints
- Dakota6,629 complaints
- RAM 25006,443 complaints
- Intrepid6,228 complaints
- Charger5,741 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.