I have a 2002 Stratus Sedan. Several years ago, I replaced the headlamp bulbs myself, and I recall it was a difficult procedure for what I believe should be a simple process. It seems insane to have to remove fasteners holding a front end panel, then remove the headlamp assembly, then replace the bulbs in a space that can barely fit a human hand, and that's if you can get the bulb and ring to even fit properly.
Today, I tried to replace the headlamp bulbs again, but I am older and have less patience, so I am forced to go the dealer and have them replace some bulbs.
This design is insanity. Why did Dodge make it so difficult and cumbersome to replace a lightbulb? Is it to get everyone to go pay the dealer cost? I know Volkswagen forces owners to go to the dealer to replace a headlight bulb. Is this what Dodge does also? I can not understand why an auto manufacturer would build such a complicated and frustrating method of simple bulb replacement into their design.

 

Remove the two bolts that hold the housings in, pull out the housings. you may have to push down on the bumper a little to get them to come out. I wouldn't call it a dealer job. I've got them down to about 2 mins a side.

 

As mentioned, you might have to unclip the bumper's top holding tap to pry the bumper out a little, but it is no where near some VW stuff.

The only dealer's job headlight bulb I've seen is only 99-04 chrysler 300 where you have to remove HALF of the bumper.
Dodge are still fairly easy to work on and DIY friendly compare to the Germans.

 

Yea it might be difficult the first and 2nd time.. But it keeps getting easier every time you do it. There are two 7mm bolts on top of the housings that need to come out. Then you just gotta wiggle it out. Use a combination of pulling the light housing over the bumper and pushing the bumper under the light like SmokeSXT said.

Dealers are definitely doing this to boost their labor sales. I remember all my older model dodge cars I would just open the hood and reach behind the light housing. Now bolt and housing removal is required. People get confused and just say "I'll just go to the dealer". My advice would be to just go to a local garage. You will spend about half the cost, support a local business.. and he'll prolly end up showing you how to do it so it won't be a problem in the future.

 

Thanks to you all for your replies. I was able to release the headlamp fixture from the front of the car. The problem is there is so little room remaining behind the fixture that its still difficult to replace the bulb and retaining ring. I can't get a good finger hold on the ring while holding the bulb and ring, and the retaining ring refuses to sit properly so that I can turn it. All in all, the car's design still seems to include like far too many steps to disassemble it just to replace a headlamp bulb. Any opinions on why Dodge designed this to be so complicated?

 

Probably one so they can minimize dead space, and two so they can reel in the people who don't have the patience to learn how to do it. The headlights are just as bad on my Durango.

 

It's really only a 2 step process to remove each headlight assembly. #1. Remove the two 7mm bolts.. #2. Pull out the headlight assembly. Then you will have all the room you need to replace the bulb and retainer ring.