Dodge›Stratus›2006›2.4L L4/dodge/stratus/2006/2-4l-l4/

JR platform

2006 Dodge Stratus — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Stratus 2.4L L4. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.4L L4.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2006 Dodge Stratus 2.4L L4 is a passenger‑car built on the JR platform, featuring a 2.4‑liter inline‑four engine that holds five quarts of oil (with filter) and accepts 5W‑20 or 5W‑30 API viscosity, delivering EPA‑rated 20/27/22 mpg coupled with a four‑speed automatic transmission. This model year was issued three recalls and logged 74 total owner complaints, the most frequent of which pertain to the Engine & Engine Cooling system. Compared with the Stratus’s 1992‑2007 complaint history—where 1992 saw a single complaint and 1996 peaked at 639—the 2006’s figure places it toward the lower‑end of the spectrum, indicating a relatively reliable year within the model’s long‑run record.

Model year2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/27/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 COUPE · 525 COUPE CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, spark plug, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 86 COUPE · 525 COUPE CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-50VR17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter	05011836AA discontinued
Spark plug	68303920AA discontinued
Battery	BB75F101AA alt BAUNV75450
Front wiper blades	05101870AB discontinued · alt 05101871AB
Serpentine belt	04892711AA discontinued · alt 04892444AA
Thermostat	04792237AE alt P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 27 / 22 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	64 cu ft
Cargo volume	16 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.0-5.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	100 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	20.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	20 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	110 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Mopar
Spark Plug Gap	.048-.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	13 +/- 2 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

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

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Engine Compression	170

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	16 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	80 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

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	25 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
3	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

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 30,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 102,000 mi	Drive 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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 2006 Dodge Stratus recorded 74 federal complaints, 3 recalls and 0 investigations, situating it after the peak complaint years of 1995‑1996 and after a sustained decline that began in 2003. Compared with the prior 2005 model year (62 complaints, 6 recalls) the 2006 figures show a modest rise in complaints but a halving of recalls, while the following 2007 model dropped to just 2 complaints and no recalls. The 2006 complaint categories were led by Engine & Engine Cooling (10), Suspension (9), Air Bags (8) and Electrical System (5), with 19 crash‑related complaints and 3 fire‑related complaints noted. In the broader generation arc, 2006 sits near the tail end of a long‑term reduction in both complaint frequency and recall count, indicating that serious safety defects have become rare. Consequently, while the 2006 model is not the most problematic year, prospective buyers should treat it as a marginal choice that warrants a thorough inspection and price negotiation before purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

19 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’92 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05’06’07

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 74 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling10

Suspension9

Air Bags8

Electrical System5

Engine4

Suspension,Wheels3

Steering,Suspension3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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.

10E059000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 27/12/2010

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 26 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004009	2021-04-07	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
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…

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.

Group 86 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt w/ filter JR-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 05011836AA Spark plug 68303920AA Battery BB75F101AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Stratus 2.4L L4 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API REFER TO OIL CAP, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Stratus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L L4 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.