AI Damage1987 Dodge Daytona: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Dodge Daytona filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 25% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 13% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (38% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (13% of all).
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 · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 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.
While involved in a rearend collision the front seats collapsed in a reclining position. Please describe. Tt
After driving for about 30miles to work consumer shut the car off and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Then, opened the hood, there were flames back near the motor, and the electrical wires. The fire department classified it as an electrical fire, and car was totalled.
Consumer started vehicle and noticed smoke in hood area. He then drove vehicle for approimately 15 minutes, turned off the engine, and vehicle began to smoke and thereafter flames began.
Poor location of exhaust pipe caused cargo area to overheat, melting plastic laundry basket onto rug.
Heard a pop and then caught on fire(fuel hose). Please give more details.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Daytona has 12 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Dodge Daytona?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, seats. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (63%), overheating, coolant loss (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Dodge Daytona?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Dodge Daytona from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
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 2026-11-05.