1998 Dodge Stratus Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1998 Dodge Stratus, and owners have filed 272 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1998 Dodge Stratus
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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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.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right rear brake tube can contact the exhaust system clamp and wear a hole in it.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake tubes for visible evidence of contact with the exhaust system clamp. If the tube shows evidence of contact, it will be replaced. If no evidence of contact exists, the tube will be…
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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.
272 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1998 Dodge Stratus have filed 272 complaints with NHTSA; 25 describe a crash and 17 describe a fire. Reports cite 18 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 79,026 miles. Complaints peaked in 2002 with 43 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“First horn was blowing out of control, than the engine we got it fixed, or so we thought ,than got the starter fix drove it 2 weeks and now it turns over but does nothing so it's sitting in my yard no”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 17, 2017 · Structure
“The ABS and the braking system quit working i got on the freeway and i had breaks by the time i got three off ramps later to get off the freeway i had no brakes they didn't work in the pedal went all”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 27, 2016 · Service brakes
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1998 Dodge Stratus. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–27 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–23 / 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 1998 Dodge Stratus
How do I know if my 1998 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1998 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.