The 2004 Dodge Stratus Coupe (actually a rebadged Mitsubishi Eclipse) has a mixed reliability record. The 2.4L I4 models fare reasonably well, but the 3.0L V6 suffers catastrophic engine failures tied to oil sludge and bearing problems, often requiring complete engine rebuilds or replacements.
Symptoms: knocking or ticking from bottom end, low oil pressure warning, metal shavings in oil, sudden loss of power and seizure in severe cases
Fix: The 3.0L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 is notorious for oil sludge buildup that starves bearings, leading to spun rod and main bearings. Once you hear knocking, you're looking at rod bearings, crankshaft damage, and often piston issues. Short block replacement or full engine rebuild required, 16-22 labor hours for R&R plus machine work. Many owners opt for used engine swaps (8-12 hours) instead of rebuild due to core condition.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission slipping or delayed engagement, milky or strawberry-colored transmission fluid, coolant loss with no visible leaks, transmission overheating
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator develops leaks, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. This destroys the automatic transmission if not caught early. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission fluid flush (multiple cycles), and often transmission rebuild if contamination went unnoticed. Radiator swap alone is 2-3 hours, but if trans is damaged you're at 12-18 hours for rebuild.
Estimated cost: $800-4,200
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: severe clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, excessive engine movement visible from engine bay, vibration at idle, drivetrain thud on acceleration
Fix: The front transmission mount (engine side) tears and allows excessive powertrain movement. The rubber deteriorates from heat and oil exposure. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting the engine/trans while swapping the mount, 1.5-2.5 hours labor. OEM mounts last longer than cheap aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $180-350
Head Gasket Failure (Both 2.4L and 3.0L)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: white smoke from exhaust, coolant consumption with no external leaks, overheating, milky oil or oil in coolant reservoir, rough idle or misfire
Fix: Both engines can blow head gaskets, though the 2.4L typically only loses one while the V6 often does both banks. On the 2.4L, 6-8 hours for single head gasket; on the 3.0L, 12-16 hours for both banks plus machine shop work for resurfacing. Often discover additional damage (warped heads, cracked head on V6) once opened up.
Estimated cost: $1,200-3,800
Fuel Filter Clogging (External Filter Models)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: hard starting especially when warm, loss of power under load or at highway speeds, engine stumbling or surging, stalling
Fix: Early 2004 models may have external fuel filters that clog from debris and age. Later production integrated the filter into the fuel pump assembly. External filter replacement is simple, 0.5-1.0 hours. If you have the in-tank setup and symptoms persist, you're replacing the entire pump module, 2-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $120-450
Timing Belt and Water Pump (Both Engines - Interference Design)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi intervals
Symptoms: sudden no-start if belt breaks, complete engine destruction (bent valves, piston damage) if belt fails while running, squealing or visible belt wear on inspection
Fix: Both the 2.4L and 3.0L are interference engines—belt failure equals catastrophic valve and piston damage. Timing belt service interval is 60k-90k. Job includes belt, tensioner, water pump, and seals. 2.4L takes 3-4 hours; 3.0L takes 5-7 hours due to transverse V6 access. Skipping this service leads to $3k+ engine rebuilds.
Estimated cost: $450-950
Owner tips
On 3.0L V6 models, use full synthetic oil and change every 3,000-4,000 miles to combat sludge buildup—this engine is extremely sensitive to oil maintenance.
Inspect transmission fluid color every oil change; pink is good, any brown or milky color means immediate radiator and trans cooler inspection.
Replace timing belt early (60k) rather than pushing to 90k, especially on used examples with unknown history—this is an interference engine.
Check for service records before buying; missing trans cooler or timing belt documentation is a massive red flag on these cars.
Buy a 2.4L I4 model with documented timing belt and transmission cooler service; avoid 3.0L V6 entirely unless you're prepared for engine replacement—it's not a matter of if, but when.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 15V338000
2015-06-02
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. 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.
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · 10E059000
2010-12-27
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. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Consequence: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 09E025000
2009-05-11
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · 07E023000
2007-03-29
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 EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 04V313000
2004-06-29
ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.
Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
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