2006 Dodge Stratus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2006 Dodge Stratus has 74 NHTSA complaints, the highest of the three model years with data, giving it a complaint index of 100 and rank 1 (worst) among Stratus years. Suspension and airbag failures dominate the complaints, with no recalls filed for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 3 Stratus years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 74
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2006 Dodge Stratus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (34%)
- Engine22 (30%)
- Airbags13 (18%)
- Steering9 (12%)
- Electrical System8 (11%)
- Brakes6 (8%)
- Fuel System5 (7%)
- Structure & Body5 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (5%)
- Other2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report frontal airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including rear-end collisions around 25 to 40 mph.
- Ball joints reportedly shear off, causing sudden loss of control and tire jamming into the fender, in one case at 75 mph.
- Some drivers describe brakes failing or going out unexpectedly, leading to crashes at intersections and low-speed impacts.
- Steering has reportedly been lost momentarily while turning, in one case leading to a blown tire and curb impact.
- Smoke has been reported coming from the steering column, tied to an overheated multi-function switch that also knocked out headlights and blinkers.
2006 Dodge Stratus recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2006 Dodge Stratus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Stratus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Dodge Stratus reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints, the 2006 Stratus has the most complaints (74) and the highest complaint index (100) of the three Stratus model years with data, ranking worst overall.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge Stratus?
- Suspension, wheels and tires issues make up 34% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 30% and airbag issues at 18%, per NHTSA data.
- Does the 2006 Dodge Stratus have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Dodge Stratus, unlike the 2005 model year, which has three.
- At what mileage do 2006 Stratus suspension problems occur?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 120,000 miles for suspension, wheels and tires failures on the 2006 Stratus.
- Did airbags fail to deploy in the 2006 Dodge Stratus?
- Multiple owners reported to NHTSA that frontal airbags did not deploy during crashes, with airbag-related complaints tied to 11 of 19 total crashes reported for this year.