1990 Dodge Daytona Problems and Recalls (26 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1990 Dodge Daytona is Engine (19% of 26 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 26 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 1990 Dodge Daytona?

5 of 26 filings named Engine (19% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (3 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Engine and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1989 has 34 reports on file; this year has 26. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1990 Dodge Daytona

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 5 complaints · 19.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 3
  • Fires 3
  • Injuries 5
  • Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 5 of 26 owner complaints (19.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 5 complaints, 19.2% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 2 fire reports 5 · 19.2% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 3 complaints, 11.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 · 11.5% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 2 complaints, 7.7% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 2 · 7.7% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 2 complaints, 7.7% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 crash reports 2 · 7.7% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 2 complaints, 7.7% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 · 7.7% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 2 complaints, 7.7% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 2 · 7.7% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 1 complaints, 3.9% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 crash reports 1 · 3.9% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 1 complaints, 3.9% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1 · 3.9% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 1 complaints, 3.9% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 1 · 3.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 21 complaints, 80.8% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 3 crash reports 2 fire reports 21 · 80.8% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 5 19.2% 0 crashes · 2 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 11.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 7.7% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 2 7.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 7.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 2 7.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 3.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1 3.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 3.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 21 80.8% 3 crashes · 2 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Dec 1989. 1995-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 1995-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 1995-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 1995-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 1996-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 1997-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 1998-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1998-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 1999-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Dec 1989 Apr 2008 Recall campaign 89V237000 ◆ Recall campaign 89V237000 Recall campaign 90V080000 ◆ Recall campaign 90V080000 Recall campaign 08E033000 ◆ Recall campaign 08E033000 Investigation PE93068 ● Investigation PE93068
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q1 Owner reports 4
1995-Q2 Owner reports 3
1995-Q3 Owner reports 2
1995-Q4 Owner reports 1
1996-Q1 Owner reports 1
1996-Q2 Owner reports 1
1996-Q3 Owner reports 2
1996-Q4 Owner reports 1
1997-Q3 Owner reports 1
1998-Q2 Owner reports 1
1998-Q3 Owner reports 2
1999-Q3 Owner reports 1
2000-Q1 Owner reports 1
2000-Q2 Owner reports 1
2000-Q3 Owner reports 1
2001-Q2 Owner reports 1
2001-Q3 Owner reports 1
2002-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 89V237000
Recall campaign 1 90V080000
Recall campaign 1 08E033000
Defect investigation 1 PE93068
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Engine and Airbags.

  1. Recall campaign 08E033000

    Safety recall 08E033000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  2. Recall campaign 89V237000

    Engine

    Report date
    Component:
    Engine (ENGINE)
    Consequence:
    THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
    Remedy:
    REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  3. Recall campaign 90V080000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT SITUATION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DRIVER INJURY.
    Remedy:
    REPLACE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WITH PROPERLY MACHINED MODULES.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 26 complaints · page 1 of 2
2002-05-20Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 762098
CrashFireInjuryDeath
MANUFACTURERS DIAGRAMS SHOW THE THERMAL FLASHER LOCATED WITH THE FUSES ON THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. IT IS NOT THERE. I HAVE EMAILED DODGE REQUESTING INFORMATION ON WHERE IT IS PLACED. THEY SUGGESTED I PURCHASE A SERVICE MANUAL FOR THE CAR. WHAT GOOD WOULD THAT DO IF THE DIAGRAMS ARE WRONG TO BEGIN WITH? I CALLED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE @ [redacted] A REPRESENTATIVE SAID THERE WERE NO DIAGRAMS THAT WOULD SHOW THE PARTS LOCATION. HE SAID THE PART IS LOCATED BEHIND THE DASH. I HAVE CHECKED BEHIND THE DASH AND COULD NOT FIND IT. MY TURNSIGNALS DO NOT WORK EXCEPT IN COLD WEATHER AND ONLY WHILE THE ENGINE IS COLD.*AK
2001-08-29Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 895373
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM IGNITION AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
2001-04-10Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 885511
CrashFireInjuryDeath
CONSUMER HAD JUST GOTTEN INTO VEHICLE AND STARTED IT UP AND FRONT END OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE T VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF RECALL 89V237000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 467 WOULD APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE.*AK
2000-09-25Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 732498
CrashFireInjuryDeath
MY GIRLFRIEND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, SHE REAR ENDED ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE.SHE STATES THE BRAKES FAILED.ON IMPACT AIRBAG DID DEPLOY.MY CONCERN IS THE FAILING OF THE BRAKES AND HER GETTING HURT, I NOTICED MANY SAME COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE. MAYBE NOT ALL ALIKE BUT SIMULAR.I ALSO NOTICE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE DAYTONA AS I HAD WITH MINE AND TOLERATED.TACHOMETER NOT WORKING, SURGES AND RUNS ROUGH, THEN SLOWING TO ALMOST A STOP.FUEL INJECTION PROBLEMS, HYDRAULIC ROD PROBLEMS ON HATCH. *AK
2000-06-22Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 724408
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THIS TRANSMISSION WAS A DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED AT 14,000 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILES AT MY COAST (1400.00 DOLLARS) THIS WAS THE SAME TRANS.(THE 41T) THAT CHRYSLAR HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH. NOW THE TRANS. THAT THE TRANS SHOP PUT IN IS FAILING AT 117,00 MILES. I KNOW THET IM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE TROUBLES. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF RESTATUTION FOR CHRYLERSERS INABLILATY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLUM AND REPAIR IT RIGHT.*AK
2000-01-17Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 717435
CrashFireInjuryDeath
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
1999-08-29VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NHTSA ODI 782865
CrashFireInjuryDeath
CONSUMER PLACED CAR IN REVERSE AND CAR ACCELRATED OUT OF CONTROL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *ET
1998-08-14Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 539057
CrashFireInjuryDeath
LEAK IN VALVE COVER GASKET. QCAW
1998-07-07Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 538768
CrashFireInjuryDeath
VAPOR LOCKING.
1998-05-31Engine (ENGINE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 536373
CrashFireInjuryDeath
VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. WILL RESTART WITH DIFFICULTY.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1990 Dodge Daytona?

Owners named Engine most often — 5 of 26 reports (19%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1990 Dodge Daytona?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Engine and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1990 Dodge Daytona?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources