FaultScore report
Owners have filed 74 complaints about the 1989 Dodge Dynasty with NHTSA between 1995 and 2013. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
74
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 100,000 miles
0 crashes, 5 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTING
===
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 NEGLECTED TO INFORM ME OF THE MANY RECALLS ON THIS TRANSMISSION, AND WOULD NOT HELP ME. (DEALER: BELLEVUE DODGE, BELLEVUE WA.
NHTSA complaint #750257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #885168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE WHILE DRIVING (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
01MAR99: HAD PARKED & LEFT VEHICLE IDLING. RETURNED HEARD NOISE. ARRIVED HOME & NOTICED HEAVY SMOKE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & EXTINGUISEHD THE FLAMES. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD. HAD HAPPENEDED AGAIN ON MAY 11,Y99. SAME PROBLEM & FIRE. ALSO, SOMETIMES HARD TO START VEHICLE. REPLACED BATTERY & STARTER BEFORE FIRES. EACH TIME HAD WORKED FOR A WHILE & THEN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #838576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
01MAR99: HAD PARKED & LEFT VEHICLE IDLING. RETURNED HEARD NOISE. ARRIVED HOME & NOTICED HEAVY SMOKE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & EXTINGUISEHD THE FLAMES. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD. HAD HAPPENEDED AGAIN ON MAY 11,Y99. SAME PROBLEM & FIRE. ALSO, SOMETIMES HARD TO START VEHICLE. REPLACED BATTERY & STARTER BEFORE FIRES. EACH TIME HAD WORKED FOR A WHILE & THEN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #838576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
01MAR99: HAD PARKED & LEFT VEHICLE IDLING. RETURNED HEARD NOISE. ARRIVED HOME & NOTICED HEAVY SMOKE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & EXTINGUISEHD THE FLAMES. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD. HAD HAPPENEDED AGAIN ON MAY 11,Y99. SAME PROBLEM & FIRE. ALSO, SOMETIMES HARD TO START VEHICLE. REPLACED BATTERY & STARTER BEFORE FIRES. EACH TIME HAD WORKED FOR A WHILE & THEN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #838576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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, WHO RESEARCHED MY VIN AND SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS UNAFFECTED. I WOULD ASSUME THAT IF MY VEHICLE FITS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM EXACTLY, THEN IT SHOULD BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10501845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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, WHO RESEARCHED MY VIN AND SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS UNAFFECTED. I WOULD ASSUME THAT IF MY VEHICLE FITS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM EXACTLY, THEN IT SHOULD BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10501845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 05/19/2010. *LJ UPDATED 06/29/10 *BF THE CAMSHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/06/10.
NHTSA complaint #10325678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 PADS AND LINES BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE FINE. DEALERSHIP NOTICED METAL SHAVING IN THE BRAKE FLUID, AND BRAKE PUMP MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #10067153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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" APPLICATION.(SHOULD THIS NOT BE DONE A.S.A.P. FOR RISK OF FIRE? AND, IS THIS NOT TO BE COMPLETED AT LICENSED CHRYSLER DEALER-MECHANIC SHOP, AND SUPPLIED BY AND PAID IN FULL, BY CHRYSLER? 'THEY' CLAIM: "NO". PLEASE ADVICE ACCORDINGLY-PER E MAIL AND,OR WRITING U.S. MAIL. THANK YOU! LY'; PER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #758833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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 INTERMITTANTLY. CHECKED LICENSE PLATE LAMPS, FOUND (L) LAMP SOCKET SHORTED. LAMP SOCKET BROKEN DOWN INTO A STICKY GOOEY SUBSTANCE THAT DISINTEGRATED ONTO MY FINGERS, ONLY BASE OF SOCKET REMAINED INTACT. DISCONNECTED BASE OF SOCKET FROM CIRCUIT. #14 FUSE STOPPED OPENING.
NHTSA complaint #758301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 BROKEN/MISSING, AND THAT IMMEDIATE SERVICE OF COMPONENTS WAS NECESSARY. DROVE VEHICLE HOME(5 MILES) AND PARKED. VEHICLE RESPONDED MARGINALLY TO TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE, BUT STALLED UPON SLOWING TO STOP OR TURN. ENGINE APPEARS TO BE FREE-FLOATING IN COMPARTMENT, AND RESULTING MISALIGNMENT CAUSES FREQUENT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #752441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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 BROKEN/MISSING, AND THAT IMMEDIATE SERVICE OF COMPONENTS WAS NECESSARY. DROVE VEHICLE HOME(5 MILES) AND PARKED. VEHICLE RESPONDED MARGINALLY TO TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE, BUT STALLED UPON SLOWING TO STOP OR TURN. ENGINE APPEARS TO BE FREE-FLOATING IN COMPARTMENT, AND RESULTING MISALIGNMENT CAUSES FREQUENT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #752441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 NEGLECTED TO INFORM ME OF THE MANY RECALLS ON THIS TRANSMISSION, AND WOULD NOT HELP ME. (DEALER: BELLEVUE DODGE, BELLEVUE WA.
NHTSA complaint #750257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #885168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN REAR END DROPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OWNER'S HOME. A MECHANIC HAS LOOKED AT VEHICLE ,AND FOUND THAT REAR AXLE CRACKED AND TWISTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #873276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE WHILE DRIVING (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL 89V237 OF THE VALVE COVER GASKET. NLM
NHTSA complaint #784044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TOAN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #863525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE "HARD," AND HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. *AK
NHTSA complaint #855784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND IT MADE CLUNKING NOISES. DEALER SAID TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #848977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
01MAR99: HAD PARKED & LEFT VEHICLE IDLING. RETURNED HEARD NOISE. ARRIVED HOME & NOTICED HEAVY SMOKE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & EXTINGUISEHD THE FLAMES. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD. HAD HAPPENEDED AGAIN ON MAY 11,Y99. SAME PROBLEM & FIRE. ALSO, SOMETIMES HARD TO START VEHICLE. REPLACED BATTERY & STARTER BEFORE FIRES. EACH TIME HAD WORKED FOR A WHILE & THEN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #838576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
01MAR99: HAD PARKED & LEFT VEHICLE IDLING. RETURNED HEARD NOISE. ARRIVED HOME & NOTICED HEAVY SMOKE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & EXTINGUISEHD THE FLAMES. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD. HAD HAPPENEDED AGAIN ON MAY 11,Y99. SAME PROBLEM & FIRE. ALSO, SOMETIMES HARD TO START VEHICLE. REPLACED BATTERY & STARTER BEFORE FIRES. EACH TIME HAD WORKED FOR A WHILE & THEN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #838576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
01MAR99: HAD PARKED & LEFT VEHICLE IDLING. RETURNED HEARD NOISE. ARRIVED HOME & NOTICED HEAVY SMOKE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & EXTINGUISEHD THE FLAMES. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD. HAD HAPPENEDED AGAIN ON MAY 11,Y99. SAME PROBLEM & FIRE. ALSO, SOMETIMES HARD TO START VEHICLE. REPLACED BATTERY & STARTER BEFORE FIRES. EACH TIME HAD WORKED FOR A WHILE & THEN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #838576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE GONE BAD, CAUSING A LEAK IN THE COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE ON THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #836701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON ENGINE HEAD GASKETS, BUT DID NOT FIND IT ON YOUR SITE. RECALL 89V27.
NHTSA complaint #705018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT HAVE INFORMATION ON WHAT OIL TO USE ON THE HOOD COVER.
NHTSA complaint #536960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER SMELLED OIL BURNING AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAKAGE. VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO CUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #829344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #605486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
NHTSA complaint #512063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.