One problem related to water pump has been reported for the 2002 Dodge Stratus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Dodge Stratus based on all problems reported for the 2002 Stratus.
The internal water pump failed. This caused water to leak into the oil pan. The water got hot enough on a 600 miles trip from florida to mississippi that it boiled and caused the oil to turn into sludge (molasses like consistency). This caused a lack of lubrication of the dual camshafts which in turn burned up. End result was engine failure.