Dodge›Stratus›1998›2.0L/dodge/stratus/1998/2-0l/

JA platform

1998 Dodge Stratus — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Stratus 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Manual 5-spd

The 1998 Dodge Stratus is a passenger car built on the JA platform, powered by a 2.0L engine and paired with a manual 5-speed transmission, returning EPA fuel economy of 23 city, 33 highway, and 27 combined mpg. Its 4.5-quart oil capacity with 5W-30 or 10W-30 viscosity is a standard specification for this era. Within the model's complaint history spanning 1992 to 2007, the 1998 model year recorded 292 total owner complaints—far fewer than the 1996 peak of 639—with the most frequent issue area being Engine & Engine Cooling, and the model was subject to 7 recalls, placing it in a relatively moderate reliability position for the Stratus lineage.

Model year2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy23/33/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 510 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 510 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP195-70R14OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04105409AE alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter	04882141AB discontinued
Fuel filter	04764210 discontinued · alt 04897866AA
Spark plug	68303953AA alt 68304149AA
Battery	BB75F101AA
Front wiper blades	05018262AA alt 05012357AB
Serpentine belt	04573737AC discontinued · alt 04663182AC
Thermostat	P5278144AA alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Manual 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	185.8 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	53.9 in
Wheelbase	107.9 in
Curb weight	2917 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	23 / 33 / 27 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	96 cu ft
Cargo volume	16 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	85.0 ft-lbs
Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts	70.0 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	38 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	100 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	105 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps	Clean surfaces of cylinder head and block.
Engine Flywheel Bolts	69 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts	8.0-9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	45.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	950 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	350 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.51-.61 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,500-13,500 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.033-0.038 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.63 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	SP-15
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	510 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	46.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	47.0-50.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	170
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle	16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.35 in / 0.9 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data shows 1998 sits on the downslope of the generation’s complaint peak, with 292 complaints falling well below 1997’s 386 and the 1996 high of 639, while also edging below 1999’s 310. Its 81 technical service bulletins remained clustered near the early-generation ceiling, and recall exposure held flat at seven campaigns, matching 1997 and 1999, while investigations eased to two, below the levels seen at the 1995–1996 crest. The dominant complaint category for 1998 was Engine & Engine Cooling with 115 filings, followed by Service Brakes at 33, Power Train at 22, and Suspension at 14; the data does not specify root causes. Buyers should also note 26 crash-related and 17 fire-related complaints in the record, though the data does not specify causes. Within the generational arc, 1998 represents a transitional year that has moved past the worst complaint volume but still carries elevated manufacturer technical attention; consequently, it is a marginally better bet than the 1995–1997 peak years, though the high engine-related complaint count and persistent TSB volume mean a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

292

Owner complaints

26 involved a crash · 17 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’92 ’95 ’96 ’97’98’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 292 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling115

Service Brakes, Hydraulic33

Power Train22

Suspension14

Air Bags13

Steering12

Seat Belts10

Electrical System8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E043000EquipmentReported 07/07/2009

IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE… Remedy: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT…

09E056000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 09/10/2009

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE… Remedy: 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 81 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-20	2020-04-22	Electrical System	Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
3100519	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
3100619	2019-11-20	Structure	Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Stratus. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 86 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter JA-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04105409AE Engine air filter 04882141AB Fuel filter 04764210 Spark plug 68303953AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Stratus 2.0L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of BELOW 32 F: 5W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Stratus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 33 highway / 27 combined mpg.