Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar® Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make a complete oil pan gasket. 5. Lay the oil pan gasket(s) onto the oil pan flange.~ 6. Ensure the oil pan gask
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Dodge Stratus engine problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 17 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Dodge Stratus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 19 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for all Warranty (W), Mopar (M) and Mopar Vehicle Protection (F) claims.~ Assembly also includes Filter (52108325AA) and Gasket (52108332AA).~
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Dodge Stratus engine problems break into several recurring patterns. Crankshaft endplay—excessive movement inside the block—is the most serious and expensive. Multiple owners describe the crankshaft pushing the front main seal out, dumping all the oil onto the road. Mechanics report the problem happens again even after seal replacement and cannot be permanently fixed; one dealer recommended engine replacement. Oil loss happens suddenly and completely, creating a safety hazard and occasionally stranding the vehicle.
Stalling without warning occurs at various speeds and during idling. Vehicle restarts immediately but fails again unpredictably. Dealers cannot reproduce the problem or pull diagnostic codes, leaving owners stuck.
Radiator fan failure is another pattern. One owner's fan quit twice in three months; the second failure caused catastrophic overheating and engine damage. Chrysler denied warranty coverage, blaming the owner's earlier DIY fan replacement.
Other owners report camshaft defects causing deceleration, unintended acceleration, hesitation when pressing the pedal, coolant bleeder valve failures, and head gasket leaks. Oil starvation has resulted in complete engine seizure, timing belt failure, and highway stalls. One post-collision fire resulted in owner injury.
Same Dodge Stratus engine reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Crankshaft endplay and front main seal failure
Crankshaft moves excessively inside the engine (endplay), pushing the front main seal out and causing severe oil loss. Multiple owners report the seal fails repeatedly even after replacement; dealers have reported the moving crankshaft cannot be fixed.
When: Around 48,000 miles and later; one case at 75,000 miles with recurring leaks over 6 weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Massive oil leak/spill under vehicle; Oil warning light illumination; Engine warning light illumination; Little to no oil remaining in engine after leak; Crankshaft movement visible during inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Timing cover replacement ($900 reported); front crank seal replacement attempted multiple times without success; one dealer recommended engine replacement; issue reported as not fixable by multiple shops
Sudden engine stall while driving
Vehicle shuts off unexpectedly while driving at various speeds or idling in traffic. Engine restarts immediately but failure recurs intermittently over hours or days. Dealers unable to reproduce the problem or provide diagnostic codes.
When: Mileage range 56,000 to unknown; one case with recurrence after 1.5 months symptom-free
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shut off at 65 mph; Engine shut off while idling in traffic; Engine shut off at various speeds; Immediate restart capability; Recurring intermittent stalls over hours or days
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose; inspection parts unavailable; no repair completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance offered
Radiator fan failure causing overheating and engine damage
Radiator fan fails prematurely, allowing engine to overheat. One owner reports fan failed twice within 2-3 months, with the second failure causing complete engine damage due to overheating and coolant loss.
When: First failure around 37,000 miles (February/March 2007); second failure at approximately 37,000 miles (May 14, 2007)
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge spikes to top of gauge; Coolant loss; Engine overheating; Radiator fan stops operating
Repairs/costs cited: Fan replacement required both times; second failure caused catastrophic engine damage; Chrysler refused warranty coverage on engine and drivetime repair, citing owner-installed replacement fan as cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denial; engine and drivetime coverage (to 70,000 miles) refused
Defective camshaft
Camshaft defect causes vehicle deceleration and check engine light. Multiple recurrences reported; owner chose not to repair.
When: 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle deceleration at various speeds; Check engine light illumination; Multiple recurrences
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed defective camshaft requiring replacement; repair not completed by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance offered; vehicle not included in recalls
Unintended acceleration
Engine revs and vehicle accelerates on its own when brakes are released. High engine speed (70 mph) achieved before owner regained control. Continued revving in park and neutral after restart prevented safe gear selection.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended acceleration to 70 mph; Engine revving in park and neutral; Inability to shift into drive due to high engine speed
Engine stalling and loss of oil pressure
Engine seized due to complete oil loss. Owner reports oil warning light was misinterpreted as low-oil indicator rather than no-oil shutdown warning. Engine stalled on Manhattan highway with timing belt breaking.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Oil warning light illumination; Engine seized; Timing belt failure; Engine stall in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Engine seizure resulted in timing belt breakage and stall event
Engine fire following collision
Post-collision fire event; vehicle became completely engulfed, spreading fire to struck vehicle. Owner was injured. Exact cause of fire not determined in narrative.
When: 74,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Post-collision engine fire; Complete vehicle engulfing
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to impound; fire/police departments filed reports
Acceleration hesitation and check engine light
Vehicle fails to accelerate when pedal is pressed; owner must repeatedly pump pedal. Check engine light illuminates. Dealer unable to reproduce failure.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration response to pedal input; Repeated pedal pumping required; Check engine light illumination; Abnormal engine noise reported in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not duplicate or diagnose problem; no repair completed
Coolant air bleeder valve defect
Coolant air bleeder valve fails repeatedly, requiring replacement twice in two years. Owner expresses concern about safety risk.
When: Over two-year period
Symptoms owners cite: Defective coolant air bleeder valve; Repeated failures
Repairs/costs cited: Valve replacement required twice
Front head gasket oil leak
Front head gasket leaks oil. Identified during routine oil change.
When: 64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from front head gasket
Repairs/costs cited: Identified but not repaired at time of complaint
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Dt*: the contact stated while idling, the vehicle stalled without warning. It was maneuvered off the road and restarted. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who could not duplicate the problem. Updated 12/5/2006 - the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was pressed. The consumer repeatedly pumped the pedal to get the vehicle to accelerate. The dealer could not…
My 2005 Dodge stratus stalls while I'm driving. It does it out of no where. I was on a busy hwy and it almost cut off. My car sputtered all the way home and then it started driving like nothing ever happen. A day or two later it happens all over again. *tr
I believe that this issue has great potential for a fatality. The problem that Dodge/Chrysler has is in the 2.4l engines manufactured from 2005 to present. The crankshaft moves inside the engine (endplay) and pushes the front main seal to come out. This spills the entire contents of oil onto the road and covers the bottom of the car. When I had the car towed the shop said it was surprising that…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as the vehicle exhibited an abnormal noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
Car accelerated on its own. When I let off the brakes it took off very fast and got up to 70 before I had to mash the brakes very hard and pull over and force it into neutral and turn the key to stop the engine. When restarting the engine it continued rev in park and neutral which prevented me from putting it in drive'
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Dodge stratus. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle still had steering and braking ability so the contact pulled to the side of the road. She turned the vehicle completely off and it was able to restart immediately. A couple of miles down the road, the failure kept recurring for the next three hours. She took the vehicle to the dealer, but they…
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Dodge Stratus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Dodge Stratus?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 56,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 71,246. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Dodge/Stratus.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.