Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 292 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge Stratus, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 115 | 39% |
| Service brakes | 33 | 11% |
| Power train | 22 | 8% |
| Suspension | 14 | 5% |
| Air bags | 13 | 4% |
| Steering | 12 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 10 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 NOT WORKING AND AM
NHTSA complaint: 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 THE WAY TO THE FLOOR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
HAVING ISSUES WITH DASH AND HEADLIGHT DIMMING,ALSO RADIO GOES OFF AND LOOSES MEMORY,DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK WHEN RADIO GOES OFF. BURNT OUT DEFOGGER RELAY AND POWER AMP FUSE WITH NO POWER AMP, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE HORN RELAY
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENACE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANU
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARMS WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS WERE R
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM PARK WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MU
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I STARTED THE CAR, PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A LARGE POOL OF FLUID ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. MASTER CYLINDER WAS NEAR EMPTY. I
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT IGNITIED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1998 Dodge Stratus. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPO
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 S
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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 HO
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT
Risk: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 292 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 115 of them (39%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.