DodgeStratus19982.4L/dodge/stratus/1998/2-4l/
JA platform

1998 Dodge Stratus — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Stratus 2.4L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Dodge Stratus 2.4L is a JA-platform passenger car powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, achieving EPA ratings of 18 mpg city, 28 highway, and 22 combined, and requiring 5 quarts of oil with a filter change. Within the model’s complaint history spanning 1992 to 2007, this year’s 292 complaints sit well below the 1996 peak of 639 but far above the 1992 low of 1. This places it after the most troubled year, yet it still carries a significant number of reported issues, predominantly in the engine and engine cooling category.

Model year200520042003200220012000199919981997

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 75 · 510 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-70R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter04882141AB discontinued
Fuel filter04764210 discontinued · alt 04897866AA
Spark plug68303953AA alt 68304149AA
BatteryBB75F101AA
Front wiper blades05018262AA alt 05012357AB
Serpentine belt04573737AC discontinued · alt 04663182AC
ThermostatP5278144AA alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.8 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase107.9 in
Curb weight2917 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 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 FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)75.0 ft-lbs
Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts70.0 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings38 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsClean surfaces of cylinder head and block.
Engine Flywheel Bolts69 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts8.0-9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts45.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
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 Resistance11,500-13,500 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)46.0-50.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.35 in / 0.9 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16.0-7.0, Step 3: 8.0-9.0

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 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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.

The 1998 Dodge Stratus sits in a notable position within the generation arc: federal complaint records show a sharp escalation from 1995 (401 complaints) through 1996 (639 complaints), followed by a marked decline in 1997 (386) and further improvement in 1998 (292). Compared to the preceding peak years, the 1998 model's 7 recalls and 2 investigations represent a modest reduction in regulatory scrutiny, though the TSB count remained elevated at 81. The dominant complaint category was engine and engine cooling at 115 incidents—roughly 39% of all complaints—while service brakes, hydraulic (33) and power train (22) represented secondary concerns; notably, 17 fire-related complaints and 26 crash-related complaints were recorded. The 1999 data shows complaint numbers ticking back upward to 310, suggesting the 1998 improvement may reflect batch variation rather than a fundamental resolution. The takeaway: the 1998 Stratus benefits from being post-peak in the generation's most troubled period, but the persistent engine-related complaints and 17 fire reports warrant careful pre-purchase inspection, particularly of cooling system components and electrical grounds, before considering it a buy.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
81
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
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

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.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Stratus 2.4L take?

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 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.