Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Stratus 3.0L.
The 2004 Dodge Stratus is a passenger car built on the ST platform and powered by a 3.0L engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined mpg while requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated oil for maintenance. This model year falls within the Stratus's extended production run spanning from 1992 to 2007, a period during which complaint volumes fluctuated significantly, with 1996 representing the peak at 639 total owner complaints and 1992 marking the lowest point at just one complaint. The 2004 model accumulated 144 total owner complaints with suspension issues emerging as the primary concern area among all reported problems, and the vehicle was subject to 7 recalls over its production lifetime. When contextualized against this historical complaint trajectory, the 2004 Stratus demonstrates moderate reliability positioning within its model lineage, though the suspension-related complaint concentration and notable recall count suggest specific mechanical attention remains relevant for prospective owners and researchers studying this generation's long-term durability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 COUPE · 525 COUPE CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.
| Engine oil filter | 04105409AE alt 05281090AB |
| Engine air filter | MB906051 discontinued · alt 05011836AA |
| Fuel filter | MR993092 discontinued |
| Spark plug | 68304168AA alt 68304015AA |
| Battery | BB75F101AA |
| Front wiper blades | MR482671 discontinued · alt MR482673 |
| Serpentine belt | 04892580AA alt 04892444AA |
| Thermostat | P5278144AA alt MD194988 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S4) |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 25 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF+4 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 4 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | ATF +4 |
| Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings | 38 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 134 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Main Bearings | 69 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 25.0-32.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | M8 Bolts: 10.2 ft-lbs, M10 Bolts: 30 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 65-80 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 110 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 185 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-2-4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 700 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 100 rpm |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | .56-.68 ohms |
| Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance | 9400-12,800 ohms |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 20.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | ND 8 oil |
| Oil Capacity | 5.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 86 COUPE |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 525 COUPE cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 75 SEDAN |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 510 SEDAN cca |
| Pressure Test | 15 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 47.0-50.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 38.0 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Engine Compression | 100 |
| Engine Compression | 100 Minimum psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 11.6 psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 16 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 100 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0005 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.004 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.9 in / 0.35 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.911 in / 0.36 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.843 in / 0.285 in |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil.
| 1 | 80.0 ft. lbs. | 80 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Loosen all bolts 360 degrees | 360 degrees |
| 3 | 80.0 ft. lbs. | 80 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.
| Every 6,000 mi | Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
| Every 18,000 mi | Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) |
| Every 30,000 mi | Transmission Assembly (inspect) |
| Every 60,000 mi | Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Across the generation, federal records show a general downward trend in complaints, peaking in 1996 with 639 reports before declining over time. The 2004 model year represents a slight anomaly in this arc, recording 144 complaints, which is an increase from the 91 reported in 2003 and higher than the 62 reported in 2005. For 2004, the primary complaint areas were the suspension (28), engine and engine cooling (13), and air bags (11), though the data does not specify the root causes. This year saw 7 recalls, 0 investigations, 57 TSBs, and 24 reported crash complaints. Because the volume of complaints spiked in 2004 relative to the years immediately preceding and following it, this is not the ideal year to buy.
All 144 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000… Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The…
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…
Showing 5 of 57 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… |
| 23-015-20 | 2020-04-30 | Equipment | Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19 |
| 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… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.