REVISED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Dodge Stratus steering problems
severe 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 9 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Dodge Stratus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 steering 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge stratus. While driving the vehicle, the transmission malfunctioned and the power steering failed. The vehicle went out of control, would not stop, and continued to accelerate. The contact had to crash the vehicle into a pole to get it to stop. The contact then quickly turned off the ignition. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was…
I was starting to turn left to enter a highway on ramp when suddenly the car lost steering for a second and I had no control of the car. I hit the brakes and clipped a curb which blew out the right front tire and damaged the wheel. I took the car to the dealership and their service department reported nothing wrong with the steering or front end. The service manager said I need to contact…
Had steering trouble with your 2006 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 steering problem on the 2006 Dodge Stratus?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 41,000 and 135,000 miles, with the median around 73,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 41,000; a quarter make it past 135,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2006/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.