Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Dodge Dynasty, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 25 | 19% |
| Service brakes | 24 | 18% |
| Power train | 23 | 17% |
| Electrical system | 18 | 14% |
| Steering | 12 | 9% |
| Air bags | 6 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I SMELLED A STRONG ORDER OF GAS WHEN DRIVING, WHEN I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS A CONSTANT DRIPPING FRO THE FUEL RAIL SUPPLYING THE FUEL INJECTORS...FIRST , IT WAS A SMALL DRIPPING ON THE FRONT VALVE COVER AND AFTE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
ABS ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AT TIMES, THEN OFF OTHER TIMES. FOLLOWED BY ABS ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM FUNCTIONS TO FAIL TOTALLY REDUCED BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE BY 95% USED PARKING BRAKE TO ACHIEVE STOP. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE FUEL RAIL CONNECTIONS, ABOVE THE VALVE COVERS, WHICH DRAINS ONTO THE MANIFOLD AND COULD START A FIRE. I AM TOLD IT WILL COST OVER $700 TO REPLACE THE PARTS WHICH CANNOT BE BOUGHT ANYWHERE ELSE. *T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
PURCHASED SAID VEHICLE IN SEPT. 2006 USED. WAS JUST DRIVING AT POSTED SPEED LIMITS IN A COMMUNITY AREA OF PHOENIX, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A LOUD CLACKING NOISE STARTED AS I PULLED UP TO MY DESIGNATION, SO I TURNED OFF THE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
FOR THE THIRD TIME WITHIN A 3 YEAR PERIOD MY CAR WILL START AND RUN FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND TURN OFF, I HAD IT TOWED AND THE MECHANICS WOULD REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER, OR SAY THEY DID, AND CHARGE ME A GREAT DEAL OF MONE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BOTH REAR SET BELTS HAVE TROUBLE BEING PULLED OUT. THEY SEEM TO GET STUCK AND CANNOT BE USED. THIS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO REAR PASSENGERS. I HAVE YET TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
PURCHASED VEHICLE USED OCT. 2006. NEAR MINT CONDITION. POWER EVERYTHING & EVERYTHING FUNCTIONS PERFECT. VEHICLE EMISSIONS PERFECT. APPROX. 4 DAYS AFTER FINAL REGISTRATION WAS SWITCHED, PLATED, & INSURED, I HOPPE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
1991 DODGE DYNASTY, 3.3L ENGINE. FUEL RAIL LEAKING, AT CROSSOVER TUBE CONNECTION. FUEL LEAKING DOWN ONTO VAVLE COVER, WHICH THEN LEAKED ONTO HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MINOR FIRE, BUT THANK GOD I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I SM
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
WATER LEAKING UNDER WINDSHIELD COWL IN AREA ABOVE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR BLOCK RESULTS IN CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR TERMINALS.
Risk: CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR TERMINALS INCREASES ELECTRICALRESISTANCE, LEADING TO OVERHEATING AND POSSBLE IGNITION OF THE WIRING CONNECTORSAND INSULATION, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE COWL AREA.
Fix: THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR BLOCK WILL BE REPLACED, AND A MASTIC PATCH APPLIED TO SEAL THE COWL AGAINST WATER ENTRY. DAMAGED WIRE CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE MAY LEAK OR DETACH AT ITS CRIMPED END FITTING RESULTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Risk: FLUID DISCHARGE EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE LOSS OF BOTH THEANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND HYDRAULIC ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, RESULTING ININCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF BRAKE LOCKUP AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE
Fix: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WITH A HOSE OF DIFFERENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 25 of them (19%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 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 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.