Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1997 vs 1998 DODGE STRATUS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 347 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 21.6% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1997 347 complaints 1998 272 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1997 share 1998 share Share change
SERVICE BRAKES 7.8% 13.2% ▲ 5.5 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7.8% 3.3% ▼ 4.5 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 1.4% 3.7% ▲ 2.2 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 9.8% 8.1% ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4.6% 2.9% ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 2.0% 0.4% ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 2.6% 1.1% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
STEERING 4.0% 5.5% ▲ 1.5 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 0.3% 1.5% ▲ 1.2 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.4% 0.4% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.3% 1.1% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 5.5% 6.3% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
ENGINE 40.9% 40.8% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
TIRES 0.3% 0.4% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 5.2% 5.2% ▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 58.8% 57.7% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1997 7

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

1998 7

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
34 → 17
◆ Injuries
23 → 18