Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Dodge Daytona, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 25% |
| Air bags | 8 | 20% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 13% |
| Steering | 4 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 8% |
| Wheels | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHILE DRIVING TIRE EQUIPMENT SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL. *PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY DIED ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS, WHICH WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO A STEERING MECHANISM DEFECT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE SAFETY RECORD OF CHRYSLER D
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I HAVE ALREADY INQUIRED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY? *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
ITEM LISTED IS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 89V237000. DEALER INDICATED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE RECALL. CALLED CHRYSLER'S RECALL CENTER AND THEY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL OR THE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 10 MPH AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND RUN OVER A CURB. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
VEHICLE BURSTED INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL ON THE MORNING OF MARCH 31, 1999. SHE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. AT THAT TIME, THE AIRBAG
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY WHEN VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AT THE RIGHT CORNER CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND BURNS ON HAND DUE TO EXHAUST/CHEMICAL, NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. *ET
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1989 Dodge Daytona. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS
Risk: 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
Fix: 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.
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
THE BONDED DISC BRAKE LININGS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE SHOES DUE TO A BONDING DEFICIENCY WHICH MAY ALLOW CORROSION DEGRADATION OF THE BOND ATTACHMENT.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE DISC BRAKE LININGS RESULTS IN ANINCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE.
Fix: REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR LININGS ON VEHICLES WITH 15 INCH BRAKES. REPLACE ONLY THE REAR BRAKE LININGS ON VEHICLES WITH 14 INCH BRAKES BECAUSE THE FRONT LININGS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE RIVETED.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 10 of them (25%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1989 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.