My car is pulling to right pops every time you move clickes in turning even in the slites turning shocks are bottoming out every turn cant go over a speed bump with out it hitting hard scared to drive my kids in it please help happends all time
2005 Dodge Stratus suspension problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 10 suspension complaints filed for the 2005 Dodge Stratus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Stratus suspension shows recurring structural failure, primarily in the front end. Several owners describe the right front wheel suddenly detaching or folding under while driving at low speeds (2–30 mph), traced to fractured lower ball joints and broken lower control arms. One shop attributed the cause to lack of factory lubrication on the ball joint. Multiple owners experienced wheel detachment at mileages ranging from 78,000 to 130,000 miles—not exceptional wear.
Owners who had repairs made report poor durability: one driver had both the front driver and passenger side wheels fail separately, then noticed the rear driver wheel tilting. Another had aftermarket upper ball joints installed during the first repair fail completely within one year.
The rear suspension is also problematic. Owners report top rear strut mounts failing under normal driving, with parts frequently on backorder—a sign of systematic failure. General strut deterioration appears common, with reports of clunking, clicking, and the vehicle pulling hard to one side.
Many owners cite recall 09E056000 for ball joint defects, but some cars were excluded from the campaign, and several owners claim they were never notified by dealerships that sold them the vehicle used.
Same Dodge Stratus suspension reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Front lower ball joint and control arm failure
Lower ball joint fractures or control arm breaks, causing wheels to detach or fold under at low to moderate speeds. Factory lubrication defects and material weakness cited.
When: 78,000–129,906 miles; mostly moderate mileage, some at low speeds (2–30 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: wheel detachment or fold; loud clunk noise; steering wheel loosens or pulls right; front wheel shears off
Codes mentioned: 09E056000
Repairs/costs cited: Ball joint and lower control arm replacement; some aftermarket replacements failed within one year
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 09E056000 issued for suspension front control arm lower ball joint; owners report vehicles not included in recall or notification not received
Upper ball joint failure (aftermarket)
Aftermarket upper ball joints installed during repair of lower ball joint failures subsequently fractured within one year.
When: One year after initial repair at ~115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: wheel detachment after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Aftermarket upper ball joints failed prematurely
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure
Rear strut mount failure
Top rear strut mounts fail under normal driving conditions; parts are frequently on backorder, suggesting widespread issue.
When: Timing/mileage not stated; described as common failure with chronic parts shortage
Symptoms owners cite: strut failure
Repairs/costs cited: Strut mount replacement required; parts frequently backordered
General strut wear and suspension noise
Worn struts causing vehicle handling problems, clunking, and clicking; one owner purchased vehicle already in failed state.
When: Unknown specific mileage/timing
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle pulls to right; popping and clicking noises during turns; shock bottoming out; hard impacts over bumps; worn struts
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I was at the store just left about to get on the highway to pick up speed with my kids and myself being pregnant when my right wheel folded and scared the life out of us after holding up traffic and thank god I did not get on the highway. The mechanic advised me that my lower control arm and lower ball joint broke and causing my steering wheel to losen up causing my vehicle to go to the right and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge stratus. While reversing out of the driveway, the front passenger side wheel fractured and the ball joint detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09e056000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 MPH, attempted to make a left turn when he suddenly heard a loud clunk underneath the vehicle. The contact stopped and noticed that the front passenger side tire sheared and the lower ball joint had fractured. The vehicle was towed to the owners home and was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. The…
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2005 Dodge Stratus?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 105,984 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.