Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Stratus 2.0L L4.
The 2004 Dodge Stratus is a passenger‑car built on the JR platform and equipped with a 2.0L inline‑four engine that requires 5.0 qt of 5W‑30 API oil. In its final model year it recorded 144 owner complaints, with suspension issues accounting for the majority and seven recall actions issued. Its complaint volume falls near the low end of the model’s historical record, which spans from a peak of 639 complaints in 1996 down to just one in 1992, suggesting a comparatively stable reliability profile for the 2004 iteration.
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 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 68307021AA |
| Battery | BB75F101AA |
| Front wiper blades | MR482671 discontinued · alt MR482673 |
| Serpentine belt | 04892580AA alt 04892444AA |
| Thermostat | P5278144AA alt MD194988 |
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 firing order is 1-3-2-4. 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 |
| 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 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 700 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 100 rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | ND 8 oil |
| Oil Capacity | 5.00 oz |
| Pressure Test | 15 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Engine Compression | 100 Minimum 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.
| 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 | Drive Belt (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.
The 2004 Dodge Stratus occupies a late position in the model’s lifecycle, reflecting a generational trend of steadily declining federal complaints from the peak volumes of 639 seen in 1996, though it registers a notable uptick to 144 complaints compared to 91 in 2003 and 62 in 2005. While recalls held steady at seven—consistent with the preceding two years—investigations dropped to zero, indicating no active federal safety probes for this model year, and technical service bulletins continued their downward trajectory to 57. The 2004 data identifies suspension as the primary complaint category with 28 entries, followed by engine and engine cooling at 13, air bags at 11, and vehicle speed control at 9, with 24 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint recorded. Given that complaint volumes remain significantly lower than the generation’s early years and the absence of ongoing investigations suggests diminished systemic safety concerns, 2004 represents a relatively stable year to purchase, provided a thorough inspection addresses the documented suspension and powertrain complaints.
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.