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1997 Dodge stratus tire sizes & fitment

Approved tire and wheel sizes for the 1997 Dodge Stratus, sourced from manufacturer fitment data and refreshed monthly.

Approved fitments

Tire size Rim size PCD (bolt pattern) Offset Load index Speed rating
195/65R15 OEM R15 5x100 N/A N/A N/A
195/70R14 OEM 6x14 5x100 37mm 90 S
195/65R15 OEM 6x15 5x100 41mm 90 T
195/60R16 6x16 5x100 40mm 89 T
205/55R16 6.5x16 5x100 40mm 89 H
205/50R17 6.5x17 5x100 40mm 86 H
205/45R18 7x18 5x100 38mm 85 V
205/65R14 6x14 5x100 40mm 89 T
205/60R15 6x15 5x100 40mm 88 T
215/40R18 7x18 5x100 38mm 86 V
195/70R14 OEM R14 5x100 N/A N/A N/A

1997 Dodge stratus wheel bolt pattern & specs

Bolt pattern (PCD)5x100
Wheel thread / lug sizeM12x1.5
Center bore57.1 mm
Sourceadaptitusa-reference

The 1997 Dodge Stratus uses a 5x100 bolt pattern, M12x1.5 lug thread, and a 57.1 mm center bore. Bolt pattern and hub specs are stable across a model generation; always confirm against your vehicle's existing wheel before buying aftermarket wheels, spacers, or adapters. Source: community wheel-fitment reference data. Full wheel specs →

Best by use case

Four tires, four jobs

Best all-season

Bridgestone

Turanza QuietTrack

all-season touring, UTQG 800, 80,000-mi warranty

Best budget

Goodyear

Assurance MaxLife

Lowest cost per mile in this size; UTQG 820

Best quiet

Bridgestone

Turanza QuietTrack

68 dB cabin noise (EU label); quietest in this size

Best winter

Bridgestone

Blizzak WS90

Dedicated winter (premium compound); ice/snow grip

See the best tires for the Dodge Stratus, ranked by category →

Tire recalls & safety complaints for the Dodge Stratus →

Plus-size and winter-downsize options for every Dodge Stratus factory size →

Compatible alternative sizes for 195/65R15

Sizes within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter safe-fit tolerance. Each row links to the size's own page.

Alternative size%Δ ODCategoryVerdict
225/45R17 -0.03% plus 2 Safe
215/65R14 0.09% alternative Safe
175/65R16 -0.09% plus 1 Safe
185/55R17 0.13% plus 2 Safe
175/80R14 0.17% winter narrower Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 195/65R15 upsize options. To check an arbitrary size pair, use the tire compatibility calculator.

Check a different size against this vehicle

Type any tire size below; we'll compute its overall-diameter delta against the OEM 195/65R15 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Use the plus-size calculator to evaluate any rim step against the OEM size.

How to choose tires for the 1997 dodge stratus

The 1997 Dodge Stratus ships from the factory on 195/65R15 tires mounted on R15 wheels. 9 approved fitments are documented for this model year, allowing some flexibility between performance, comfort, and winter compounds. The Compatible alternative sizes table above lists every safe substitution within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter tolerance.

Tire choice on the Dodge Stratus comes down to three trade-offs that matter more than brand loyalty: load index (must equal or exceed the OEM number), speed rating (must match or exceed the placard), and UTQG treadwear (higher means longer life, lower usually means stickier rubber). Owners replacing factory tires with the same compound class, for example all-season for all-season, generally see no change in ride characteristics or fuel economy. Switching categories (performance summer to all-season touring, for example) is where the trade-offs show up at the contact patch.

For 1997 Dodge Stratus owners considering a plus-size upgrade, the safer option is a Plus-1 step (one rim size up with a 10-point aspect drop and ~10 mm of additional section width). Plus-2 is technically viable on this chassis if the alternative-sizes table lists a Plus-2 candidate within tolerance, but expect a meaningful ride-harshness penalty and a tire-cost premium of 30–60% per tire relative to the OEM fitment. For winter use the recommended pattern is one width step down (e.g. from a 235 to a 225) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter; narrower tires apply higher contact pressure per square inch on snow, which translates directly into shorter braking distances. The plus-size calculator evaluates any specific rim step against this OEM size.

Before purchasing, verify the tire size on the driver-door placard of your specific 1997 Dodge Stratus, since trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment from what is documented here. The placard reading is the authoritative source per FMVSS 110, and dealers will reference the placard rather than aftermarket catalogs when validating warranty claims.

NHTSA-reported issues for 1997 dodge stratus

2
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Reported across: 1997 – 1997 (1 year)

What owners described

Sidewall failure is the most common description, in 21% of these reports. Percentages are shares of the 14 reports covering every model year of the Dodge Stratus that include a written account; a single report can describe more than one problem, so they do not total 100%.

Reported problemThis subjectAll tire complaintsRelative
Sidewall failure 21% 15% 1.4×
Bubble or bulge in the tire 21% 6% 3.6×
Blowout or sudden deflation 14% 20% 0.7×
Tread or belt separation 7% 13% 0.5×
Cracking or dry rot 7% 9% 0.8×
Premature or uneven wear 7% 1% 5.5×

In owners' own words

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA about Dodge Stratus. Reports are published by NHTSA as filed and are lightly cleaned here only to remove intake codes.

GENERAL TIRE ALTIMAX RT SIZE 195/70R14 BULGE ON SIDEWALL WHEN INSTALLED A BRAND NEW TIRE. AFTER INSTALLATION OBSERVED ONE OF FOUR TIRES WITH A BULGE ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE. BULGE NOT AN INDENTATION. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AND NO OBVIOUS INSTALLATION OR BEAD DAMAGE FROM THE OUTSIDE. INSTALLER SAID SMALL BULGE BUT MAY GROW. SENT PICTURES TO DISCOUNTTIREDIRECT AND THEY SEEMED TO THINK INSTALLATION BEAD DAMAGE. TOOK TIRE OFF, NO DAMAGE FOUND INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OR ANY BEAD IRREGULARITIES. SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE BUILD. OTHER 3 TIRES WERE FINE ON ALL SIDES.

NHTSA complaint 1074644 · 1996 vehicle

ON 9/19/00 WE TOOK OUR CAR TO TIRE MART, IN STAUNTON, VA TO HAVE TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE TIRES HAD STRESS CRACKS AND THAT THE TREAD APPEARED TO BE STARTING TO SEPARATE FROM THE TIRE. THIS WAS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE DOT ICUR P21 HAS A BOX WITH A # IN EACH BOX, WHICH IS 488, 099, 488, AND 448. WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS NUMBER IS SIGNIFICANT BUT HAVE INCLUDED IT. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TO DO, AS WE FELL THAT OUR SAFETY MAY BE IN JEOPARDY? WE HAVE E-MAILED BRIDGESTONE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM. THANK YOU, HAZEL AND HINMAN STRANGE.

NHTSA complaint 245659 · 1995 vehicle

WHENVER I TRY TO BRAKE CAR, MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES EVEN I GOT NEW ROTORS. PROBLEM WITH ROTORS - ROTORS SEEMS TO MESS UP EVERYONE 1 YEAR, SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG WITH ROTORS AND PADS ASSEMBLY IN THIS MODEL. ALSO, MICHELIN XW4 TIRES THAT COME WITH THE NEW MODEL IN 1999, WORE OUT REAL QUICKLY. IT NEVER REACH 60,000 MILES WARRANTY WHICH MICHENLIN "STATED IN WARRANTY". TOO MANY DEFECTS IN MICHELIN TIRES, WHEN I BOUGHT NEW CAR AFTER 2 MONTHS I HAD FLAT TIRE WIHTOUT ANY NAILS OR ANYTHING. THEN, AGAIN ANOTHER TIRE BLEW UP AFTER 8 MONTHS WITH 6 INCH HOLE IN TIRE. A BIG EFFECT IN MICHELIN XW4 exists....I HOPE I CAN GET MONEY BACK FOR TIRES AND ROTORS WHICH I SPENT AT SHOP.

NHTSA complaint 319948 · 1999 vehicle

I PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR B.F. GOODRICH TOURING T/A P195-70R14 M+S FROM BJS WHOLESALE CLUB IN WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT ON AUGUST 29, 2001. INVOICE 3574172, DOT BFRWB01122. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE SINCE FAILED, ONE AT A TIME, DUE TO INSIDE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. ALL OCCURRED WELL WITHIN THEIR 65,000 MILE TREAD WEAR WARRANTY BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT SIDEWALL BLOWOUT IS NOT COVERED. IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT ALL FOUR TIRES IN ONE SET SHOULD EXPERIENCE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT ON THE IN SIDE OF THE TIRE WITHOUT IT BEING A FACTORY DEFECT. IS THERE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTICULAR TIRES? IS THERE A RECALL? IF NOT, THERE SHOULD BE.

NHTSA complaint 465396 · 1999 vehicle

Complaints are voluntarily submitted to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and are not verified by NHTSA; they represent owner-reported problems, not proven defects. Counts can be useful as a relative quality signal across comparable tires or vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

What size tires fit a 1997 Dodge Stratus?
The OEM tire size for the 1997 Dodge Stratus is 195/65R15 mounted on R15 wheels.. Trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment; confirm against your specific vehicle's driver-door placard before purchase.
What is the bolt pattern of a 1997 Dodge Stratus?
The 1997 Dodge Stratus has a 5x100 bolt pattern with a 57.1 mm center bore and M12x1.5 wheel studs. Bolt pattern is consistent across the model generation; confirm against your existing wheel before fitting aftermarket wheels or adapters.
Can I run a different tire size on my 1997 Dodge Stratus?
Plus-sizing (larger rim, lower aspect) is possible within ±3% of the OEM overall diameter per the ETRTO safe-fit standard. The Compatible alternative sizes table on this page lists every safe option for the OEM size. Always confirm with the manufacturer or a qualified tire shop before deviating from the placard.
Where can I buy tires for my 1997 Dodge Stratus?
Online tire retailers in our affiliate network carry every size documented for this vehicle. Use the Shop online buttons above to compare prices across them; variance of $20–$40 per tire is common between merchants. The <a href="/tools/tire-install-cost-calculator/">install cost calculator</a> estimates the out-the-door including mount, balance, TPMS, and disposal by state.
What is the recommended tire pressure for the 1997 Dodge Stratus?
The cold-inflation pressure is printed on the driver-door placard of your specific vehicle and varies by trim, tire size, and loaded vs unloaded condition. Typical OEM front and rear pressures fall between 30 and 36 psi for passenger trims and 32–40 psi for SUV/truck variants, but the placard is the authoritative source.
Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 1997 Dodge Stratus?
Yes; the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.
How often should I rotate the tires on my 1997 Dodge Stratus?
Every 5,000–7,500 miles is the typical OEM recommendation for passenger vehicles. AWD vehicles and high-torque trucks benefit from the shorter interval. Documented rotation history is also a tire-warranty prerequisite; most manufacturer treadwear claims require rotation receipts at the warranty inspection.

For broader tire questions; replacement timing, UTQG, EV-specific tires, winter swaps; see the tire FAQ.

Sources for this page

  1. Vehicle owner's manual tire & wheel placard; door-jamb placard on the Dodge Stratus is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
  2. NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 1997 Dodge Stratus.
  3. ETRTO 2024 Standards Manual §2.3; overall-diameter math used for the alternative-size verdicts above.
  4. Tire & Rim Association 2025 Yearbook; load-index to maximum-load reference.

Last verified 2026-10-07.