Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2006-DODGE-STRATUS
2006 · dodge

dodge Stratus problems

2 safety recalls. 74 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.6 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

suspension
18 reports · avg $900
severe
engine
17 reports · avg $3,100
severe
airbags
11 reports · avg $1,100
severe
steering
9 reports · avg $700
severe
electrical
6 reports · avg $850
moderate
brakes
3 reports · avg $450
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2006 Stratus · engine
THE FRONT OIL SEAL CAME OUT OF ITS SEAT CAUSING MASSIVE OIL LEAK. AFTER ENGINE REMOVAL AND DISASSEMBLY I FOUND THE WRONG LOWER MAIN THRUST BEARING WAS INSTALLED. THIS CAUSED EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE TOP THRUST BEARING CAUSING BEARING FAILURE CAUSING END PLAY IN CRANKSHAFT…
12/31/2011 · NHTSA ODI #10441985.0
2006 Stratus · engine
VEHICLE IS 2006 DODGE STRATUS 2.7L V6. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO ENGINE FAILURE. WAS WARMING UP VEHICLE ON COLD WINTER DAY. MADE IT BACK TO FRONT DOOR, CAR HAD SHUTOFF, WENT TO RESTART CAR, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THAT SAID ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP WOULD…
12/29/2008 · NHTSA ODI #10253082.0
2006 Stratus · airbags Crash
DRIVING A 2006 DODGE STRATUS WHEN ANOTHER CAR REAR ENDED ME GOING ABOUT 60MPH. THIS PUSHED MY VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SMASH BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. NO AIR BAG EVER DEPLOYED. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
12/26/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10372444.0
2006 Stratus · suspension
PURCHASED THE CAR IN JUNE 2007 STILL UNDER WARRANTY THINKING I WOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS SINCE ANY REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. THE FIRST IS THE BRAKES, THEY SQUEAK AND RUB. THEY HAVE SCRUBBED THEM 3 DIFFERENT TIME…
12/26/2007 · NHTSA ODI #10212883.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 10E059000 27/12/2010

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

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.
severe NHTSA 09E056000 09/10/2009

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES

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.

Common questions

Is the 2006 Dodge Stratus reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Dodge Stratus is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2006 Dodge Stratus?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 18 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Dodge Stratus has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Dodge Stratus?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 74 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 6 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with dodge. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Get a free warranty quote →