AI Damage1988 Dodge Daytona: common problems
Owners of the 1988 Dodge Daytona filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 27% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 27% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 18% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 18% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 18% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 9% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (18% 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-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 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 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
Driver hit brakes and brakes didn't respond/ car then spon out of control, then hit a pickup truck.
Rack and pinion steering became loose and caused vibration within steering.
Experiencing ongoing problem with seat belt intermittently failing to retract properly; causing seat belt to be inoperative. Dealer/mfr notifed and informed consumer that part was not under a recall/ repairs would be at consumer's cost.
Plasttic piece on stick shift breaks inside the shifter, vehicle can not go into reverse when this happens.
While driving temperature gauge went up, smoke coming from underhood, pulled aside, opened hood, engulfed with flames, damage mostly in area of battery, according to fire dept. Caused by electrical short, vehicle totaled.
While vehicle was parked the engine caught on fire. The vehicle was a total loss.
While driving vehicle, the k-frame twists and sways and finally breaks or snaps, this 4th k-frame for vehicle.
Seat belt retractor; failure on the driver and passenger side seat belt retractor, belt will not retract.
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 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Daytona has 12 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 11, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- 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 1988 Dodge Daytona?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, seat belts, electrical system. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (18%), smoke, burning smell, fire (18%), vibration (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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.