Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 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 | 5 | 16% |
| Power train | 4 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 6% |
| Suspension | 2 | 6% |
| Structure | 2 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 6% |
| Seats | 2 | 6% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DRUM, TIRE AND ALL OFF AXLE, WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED, ALMOST LOST FAMILY, DEALER NEGLECT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 89V
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 COMP
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 COMP
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER PLACED CAR IN REVERSE AND CAR ACCELRATED OUT OF CONTROL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *ET
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1990 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.
AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES MAY NOT CONTAIN DIFFUSER HOLES BETWEEN THE IGNITOR AND PROPELLANT CHAMBERS.
Risk: AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT SITUATION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DRIVER INJURY.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WITH PROPERLY MACHINED MODULES.
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.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 5 of them (16%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 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 73/100. 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.