Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-DODGE-STRATUSNHTSA data synced minutes ago
2006 · Dodge
Dodge Stratus problems
74 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
Reliability score
7.6 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Stratus?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Dodge Stratus? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
suspension — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 111,157 mi · ~$900 to fix
engine — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 62,299 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
airbags — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 57,430 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
steering — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 70,405 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: suspension is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 111,157 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — keep the link back. Preview the widget →
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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…
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…
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
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…
Had a problem with your 2006 Dodge Stratus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
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.
Should you avoid the 2006 Dodge Stratus?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Dodge Stratus does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Dodge Stratus?
Inspect the suspension first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 18 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 111,157 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Dodge Stratus a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 74 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is suspension. Typical failure occurs around 111,157 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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. Typical failure occurs around 111,157 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 111,157 miles. 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced minutes ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Dodge/Stratus.
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.