Dodge Stratus Generation 2 (2002–2006)

Dodge Stratus Generation 2 (2002–2006) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Dodge Stratus — body generations

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Stratus

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

About this generation

The second generation Dodge Stratus emerged for the 2000 model year, marking a pivotal moment in the "Cloud Car" lineage. With the Chrysler Cirrus being rebadged as the Chrysler Sebring, the Plymouth Breeze, and the entire Plymouth brand being discontinued, the Stratus became the sole remaining "Cloud Car" in Dodge's lineup. This generation of the Dodge Stratus sedan was not sold in Canada, where 1999 had marked the last year for Dodge Stratus sales; the Chrysler Sebring effectively took its place in that market.

A minor cosmetic change occurred for the 2002 model year, as the "DODGE" badging on the front doors was removed. The second-generation Stratus sedan and its Chrysler Sebring sedan counterpart were built on a revised version of the Chrysler JA platform, internally designated as JR. This updated platform aimed to improve various aspects of the vehicle. However, a significant departure for the second generation was the introduction of coupe models (Dodge Stratus Coupe and Chrysler Sebring Coupe).

Despite sharing names with their sedan and convertible siblings, these coupes were entirely different and based on the Mitsubishi Eclipse's ST-22 platform. They were built at the former Diamond-Star Motors plant (a joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi). Beyond a few exterior styling cues and branding, the coupe models shared very little mechanically or structurally with their sedan and convertible counterparts.

During the second generation's production run, sales of the Stratus sedan experienced a decline. This was attributed mainly to falling ratings from various consumer and automotive magazines amidst increasing competition in the mid-size car segment. Concurrently, the sedan market was shifting, with Dodge's larger models like the Intrepid, later, the Dodge Charger (LX) achieving record sales, potentially overshadowing the Stratus.

Despite a minor styling refresh for the 2004 model year, sales did not improve significantly. The Dodge Stratus sedan production ultimately ceased in May 2006, though the Sebring name continued for Chrysler's mid-size sedan offering. In the Mexican market, the Stratus continued to offer a performance-oriented R/T trim with a turbocharged 2.4 L I4 engine. For 2001, this turbocharged engine received upgrades, boosting its output.

This engine would later be utilized in higher-performance Chrysler products in the U.S. market, specifically the Dodge SRT-4 and PT Cruiser GT. Further enhancements were made to the Stratus R/T's turbocharged engine from March 2004 onwards, increasing its output to at 5200 rpm and of torque at 4200 rpm. These turbocharged Stratus R/T models were visually distinguished by a "Turbo" badge on the rear. 2.4 L EDZ I4 2.4 L EDV/EDT I4 2.7 L EER V6 Introduced for the 2001 model year, the Dodge Stratus Coupe replaced the discontinued Avenger two-door.

This model, along with its Chrysler Sebring coupe twin, was built by Mitsubishi at the former Diamond Star Motors plant and utilized the ST-22 platform. The Stratus Coupe received a restyling for the 2003 model year, updating its exterior appearance. The coupe's production run was shorter than the sedan's. The two-door variant was discontinued after the 2005 model year, one year before the four-door model. When the Dodge Avenger nameplate was resurrected for the next mid-size Dodge model in 2008, it did not include a coupe version.

Source: Wikipedia — Dodge Stratus — Second generation (2001–2006), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.