The 2002 Dodge Stratus is a budget-friendly midsize sedan plagued by catastrophic 2.7L V6 engine failures and problematic 41TE automatic transmissions. The 2.4L four-cylinder is more reliable but underpowered, while suspension and braking components are generally robust.
Symptoms: Ticking or knocking from engine bay especially on cold starts, Check engine light with low oil pressure codes, Smoke from exhaust, Complete engine seizure without warning, Metal shavings in oil
Fix: The 2.7L has inadequate oil flow to cylinder heads and forms sludge rapidly even with regular maintenance. Requires complete engine replacement or rebuild with new pistons, bearings, crankshaft work, and head gaskets. 16-24 labor hours for used engine swap, 30-40 hours for full rebuild.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500
41TE Automatic Transmission Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh shifts or delayed engagement into gear, Slipping between gears especially 2nd to 3rd, Transmission overheating (limp mode), Whining or grinding noises, Complete loss of forward gears
Fix: The 41TE four-speed auto suffers from solenoid pack failures, valve body wear, and clutch pack deterioration. Oil cooler lines frequently leak causing fluid loss and overheating. Transmission rebuild or replacement required. 8-12 labor hours for R&R plus rebuild time.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Low fluid level on dipstick, Transmission overheating warnings, Fluid dripping near radiator area
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they connect to radiator or corrode at crimp fittings. Caught early just needs line replacement (2-3 hours), but often causes transmission damage if fluid runs low unnoticed.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Lower Ball Joint Premature Wear
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise over bumps from front end, Wandering or loose steering feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edge, Steering wheel vibration, Visible play when checking suspension
Fix: Lower ball joints wear faster than expected, covered by recall 04V-019 but many vehicles already repaired or out of scope. Must replace entire lower control arm assembly on this platform. 2-3 hours per side.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Brake pedal slowly sinks to floor when holding steady pressure, Soft or spongy brake pedal feel, No external fluid leaks visible, Brakes work but require more pedal travel, Fluid level drops slowly in reservoir
Fix: Internal seals fail allowing fluid to bypass, covered by recall 05V-383. Replacement master cylinder and complete brake system bleeding required. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $300-500
Headlight Moisture Intrusion & Bulb Failures
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Condensation visible inside headlight lens, Frequent headlight bulb burnouts, Dim or flickering headlights, Water droplets in lens assembly, Corroded bulb sockets
Fix: Headlight housing seals deteriorate allowing moisture in, causing bulb and socket corrosion (recall 04V-118). Requires new headlight assemblies and sometimes socket pigtail repair. 1-2 hours.
Estimated cost: $200-450
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Drivetrain movement visible when accelerating hard, Rattling noises from engine bay
Fix: Rubber transmission mount tears or separates from bracket. Inexpensive part but requires supporting transmission to replace. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $180-320
Owner tips
If buying a 2.7L V6 model, verify complete oil change history every 3,000 miles with receipts — these engines are extremely sludge-prone and most have already failed
Change transmission fluid and filter every 30,000 miles regardless of 'lifetime fluid' claims to extend 41TE life
Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for rust and seepage, especially where they attach to radiator
Budget for engine or transmission replacement on any high-mileage example — they're both ticking time bombs
The 2.4L four-cylinder is significantly more reliable than either V6 option, though underpowered
Avoid unless extremely cheap and you're prepared for major powertrain work — the 2.7L engine is a grenade and the transmission isn't far behind.
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 · 16V401000
2016-06-03
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
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