2001 Dodge Stratus SE from North America - Comments

Nothing so far.

I stopped at the dealer to look at this car, and wound up buying one in two days. I was, and still am, very impressed by the fit, finish, quality, design, appearance, layout, and just about everything about the new Stratus coupe.

I just put 1500 miles on the car during a one-week vacation. In mixed highway/country/city driving, I averaged just over 30 miles per gallon. The car handles well in all conditions and is a joy to drive. It's also one of the quietest automobiles I've ever been in.

I've only noticed two drawbacks so far: (1) at 6' I usually have little trouble seeing out of a car, but the high back deck on the Stratus creates a blind spot that translates to almost 5 feet high at the rear; and, (2) the car has a rather large turning radius due to wheel placement and size.

I bought a new 2001 Dodge Straus last year & have had to take back to the dealer three times for headlight switch problems. The switch is located in the on/off arm. The effects are flickering & dimming of the interior dash & radio lights when the headlights or turned on. The problem is still there...otherwise, the Stratus is fine.

I've had the same problem the guy above has had, electrical problems, but right after I had the fuse changed the problem went away and has not returned as of yet.

I've enjoyed my Stratus for close to two years, and still enjoy it very much. That said, I have also had the flickering interior light problems already mentioned. In addition, a more annoying problem (for me) occurred when the number 1 position of the fan switch stopped working one day. Several days later both the 1st & 2nd position were no longer working, and a few days after that the 3rd position stopped, leaving me with an all or nothing fan.

I have just now got the switch repaired, at a somewhat reasonable cost. This is how I ended up here, looking for similar complaints about the stratus.

All in all, it's a remarkable car, and hasn't cost me too much in maintenance over the past 2 years. Still, I have to wonder if I'm in for future problems with wiring in general...

I bought my Stratus Coupe SE new in 2001. I need a new A/C Compressor. It has malfunctioned. The only place I can get the part is from the dealer, which is 850.00! For parts and labor, it will cost me 1800.00!! Any other owners having or had AC problems?

I have had my Stratus SE for three years, having bought it new off the lot. My warranty just barely expired 9 days ago and suddenly this week three problems have occurred. I have discovered that even with a full tank of gas, my gas meter will drop to empty and start beeping at me, then flip back to full. This happens the strangest times, and not just on one occassion. The number one position on my air and heater has decided to stop working completely. To top it off, my auto locks will not automatically lock when the car starts moving and on some occassions cannot be locked with the switch inside or with my remote. I find it ironic that all of this has occurred right after the expiration of my warranty. Hmmmm...

I also have a Dodge Stratus 2001 and I have the same problem with the fan switch. It is all or nothing. 1, 2 and 3 positions do not work. I was just talking to a co-worker who also has a Status and he is having the same problem. Does Dodge know about this? Is this something they will fix for us at their cost?

"Finally, a satisfying coupe from Michigan for under $22,000!"

The coupe is built by the Mitsubishi Corporation in Normal, Illinois where the Sebring Coupe is made, as well. The engine and transmission came from Japan.

The sedan is built in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan along with the Sebring Sedan and Convertible.

In reading up on Chrysler transmissions, I have never seen a person write about Japan building their transmissions. I think all of their transmission are built in Kokomo, Indiana. Right here in the good old USA.

I've had my Stratus for 1 1/2 years, and as of right now it is the 6th time the car has been in the shop. My problems are the fuses and the PCM, which is almost a thousand dollar part. So you can say that I'm am really fed up with this car. It's a great car, but too many problems with it.