AI Damage1993 Dodge Daytona: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Dodge Daytona filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 27% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 13% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (27% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 2 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
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 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 driving, consumer smelled smoke coming from the vehicle, he pulled over onto the berm where the vehicle became engulfed in flames, as a result there was heavy fire damage to the entire front end including the undercarriage of te vehicle, potential engine failure (ohio traffic crash report). Nlm
Engine failure resulted in vehicle fire, prior to fire the engine light had been illuminating. (ohio traffic crash report)
I have been having problems with the transmission in this car since the day I purchased it. Dodge has replaced the transmission twice and now it is going on its third. The dodge service department check the vehicle 3/18/00 and claims transmission is fine.
As I was backing slowly in my driveway, my car stopped as if I stuck it in neutral. At that point it would not move. I called up reedman and chrysler corporation to have this problem checked. Chrylser told me that it was not a recall and it's not covered since my warranty is up.
While driving in heavy traffic at approximately 40/45 miles per hour, the transmission quit.
Rear brake shoes drag/do not release fully, causing brake overheat, loss of braking power, and premature wearout of brake shoes.
Lower left drivers seat back attachment bolt failed allowing seat back to fall flat back. Car was undrivable in this condition.
The defective lower driver seatback bolt sheared off, causing the driver's seatback to collapse which almost caused an accident. This problem is similar to the 1991 shadow recall.
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 9,286 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Daytona has 12 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 15, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Dodge Daytona?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, seat belts. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), airbags did not deploy (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 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 1993 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 1993 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.