AI DamageDodge Daytona: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Dodge Daytona across 11 model years: 135 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 29 complaints (21% of all).
- Electrical system: 16 complaints (12% of all).
- Structure: 15 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (10% of all).
- Air bags: 13 complaints (10% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1986
- 2.2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1984–1993named in 1 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1986–1993
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1989–1992
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1990–1993
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1993
- automatic, 4-speed 1990–1993
- manual, 5-speed 1984–1993named in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 135 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 13 | 12 | 0 |
| Seats | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The consumer's son was in an accident, and subsequently died along with two others, which was possibly due to a steering mechanism defect. The consumer requested information pertaining to the safety record of chrysler dodge daytona, specifically for the steering mechanism not operating properly or locking up while the…
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 complaints on your site.
The head rest flew into the back window & cracked it. The driver seat became unanchored & was in the back of the car upon impact. The vehicle was totaled. Contacting the manufacturer.
She went over a speed bump, the airbag light came on and she heard a popping noise. At that time, the airbag deployed on her, but not at the normal fast speed. This caused her to run off of the road and over an embankment. The fire department was called as well as the police.
Driver hit brakes and brakes didn't respond/ car then spon out of control, then hit a pickup truck.
Driving vehicle at 45mph, lost control of vehicle, impact 12:00 position driver side airbag did not deploy.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.