AI DamageDodge Lancer: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Dodge Lancer across 7 model years: 30 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 10% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 8 complaints (27% of all).
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 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 · 4 cyl 1985–1989
- 2.2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1985–1989
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1986–1989
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1989
- automatic, 3-speed 1985–1989
- manual, 5-speed 1985–1989named in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 30 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 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.
Consumer states: while driving at the speed of 35mph was involved in a frontal collision neither air bag deployed. Dealer has been notified. Please add any additional information. Ts
Upon impact, during rear end collision at approx. 25mph, driver's seat back rest broke then collapsed rearward. Tt
1986 dodge lancer alternator, tire, and battery problems. The consumer also experienced problems with the vehicle's fuel pump.
There are problems with vehicle stalling and the front left alignment. The vehicle was towed to dealer where the following services were performed; tune up, oil change and a new battery was replaced.
While traveling on the highway he heard a loud noise coming from the passenger side, tire tread separated. Please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem.
While driving 55 mph the drivers side tire tread separated from the vehicle. The tire was a bridgestone duer604 p24570/r16.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- 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.
- 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 2026-11-05.