2004 Dodge Stratus — 2.4L L4

The 2004 Dodge Stratus sits near the tail end of a generation that saw its worst problems in 1995–1996, when complaints peaked at 639 and investigations reached 5. The complaint trend had been steadily declining from 1997 onward, dropping to 91 by 2003, but the 2004 model year shows an uptick to 144 complaints—reversing the downward trajectory. This increase is notable but still represents a fraction of the early-generation issues; the 7 recalls are consistent with the generation's average, and notably there were zero NHTSA investigations open for this model year, unlike the 5 investigations recorded in 1995. The top complaint areas—Suspension (28), Engine & Engine Cooling (13), Air Bags (11), and Vehicle Speed Control (9)—suggest structural and component wear as the primary concerns rather than systemic safety defects, with crash complaints at 24 and only 1 fire complaint. The concrete takeaway: the 2004 Stratus is a safer bet than the problematic early-model years but shows a slight regression from the 2003 low point; it remains a reasonable used car option if the suspension and drivetrain are inspected thoroughly, though buyers should budget for potential aging-related repairs.