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1989 Dodge Dynasty

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Dodge Dynasty do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 55.

About this comparison →
55Owner complaints

Model-year median: 55

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
14
198855
198955
1990108
1991144
1992
Compare all Dynasty years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
22Engine And Engine Cooling
15Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8Electrical System
5Steering
5
All reported categories
Seat Belts
3Suspension
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Engine
1Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Structure
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 55 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports5 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2002
Electrical System

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 STICK…

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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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #758301

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

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 ODI #885168

Mileage unknown · May 28, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

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 S…

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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. *AK

NHTSA ODI #838576

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1997
Electrical System

WITHIN TWO YEARS THE ENGINE CONTROLLER HAS FAILED, RESULTING IN ALL POWER, INCLUDING BRAKES AND STEERING BECOMING NONFUNCTIONAL. ON SECOND OCCURRENCE, OWNER ALMOST STRUCK A CHILD IN PARKING LOT DUE TO POWER LOSS. *AK BODY CONTROLLER ALSO CONTINUES TO GO OUT. *YH

NHTSA ODI #813745

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

DURING VEHICLE OPERATION SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER AND SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #802801

Official recalls

1

89V237000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Dec 27, 1989

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE89036 · Transmission Downshifting

Opened Jan 9, 1989 · Closed Jan 31, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

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