1989 Dodge Dynasty

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

72/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Dodge Dynasty, and it carries 1 recall. 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Power train	24	32%
Engine and engine cooling	17	23%
Service brakes	8	11%
Electrical system	5	7%
Steering	5	7%
Suspension	3	4%
Seat belts	3	4%
Latches/locks/linkages	2	3%
Fuel system	2	3%
Engine and engine cooling	1	1%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL FROM GASKET INTO AC COMPRESSOR, WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE AND IT STILL LEAKS. RESEARCHING ONLINE THERE IS A RECALL FOR IT 89V237000 THAT DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM EXACTLY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 DODGE DYNASTY. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED OIL LEAKING FORM THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IN
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

I THOUGHT CHRYSLER WAS TO REPAIR THEIR COST? NOTE: REPAIR WORK INDICATED, FOR FAILED VALVE COVER GASKET .NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER # 89V237000. I UNDERSTAND REPLACEMENT PART IS A "REVISED (VALVE)COVER" W/"RTV SEALANT" AP
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

SMOKE FROM DASHBOARD/ DRIVERS SIDE, #14 FUSE IS OPEN. REPLACED PINK/BLACK WIRE FROM FUSE PANEL TO HEADLIGHT SWITCH.. #14 SWITCH CONTINUES TO OPEN INTERMITTANTLY. REPLACED ALL PARKING/TAIL LAMPS. FUSE CONTINUES TO OPEN IN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING AUTO TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK. SERVICED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OILCHANGE @150,590M, AT WHICH TIME ATTENDANT @ SVC. STATION INFORMED ME THAT TWO MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BRO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

WHILE TRAVELING TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HALT UNEXPECTEDLY, LOSING THE TOP GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, PAID OVER $100.00 FOR SAID INSPECTION AND THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT $3200.00 THEY
NHTSA complaint: Power train

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15MPH ON HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A SMELL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, AND BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1989 Dodge Dynasty. 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.

Engine and engine cooling:engine 89V237000

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 seven scores

Reliability raw	84	excellent
Longevity est.	78	good
Maintenance	88	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	50	average
Efficiency	41	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 52% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 56% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 93% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 57% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 84: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 78: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1989 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 88: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1989 Dodge Dynasty?

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 24 of them (32%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1989 Dodge Dynasty reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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.

How long will a 1989 Dodge Dynasty last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, 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.

Should I buy a 1989 Dodge Dynasty?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. 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.