VehicleVerdict

1992 Dodge Daytona problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 1992 Dodge Daytona — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

19

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Daytona years?

Daytona NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted39 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 23 complaints1989: 39 complaints1990: 31 complaints1991: 17 complaints1992: 19 complaints1993: 17 complaints1994: 0 complaints
Daytona NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Daytona years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Dodge Daytona problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure737%
Engine211%
Seats211%
Brakes211%
Transmission15%
Airbags15%
Visibility & Wipers15%
Electrical System15%
Steering15%
Suspension15%

Does the 1992 Dodge Daytona have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

93V114000Body & StructureJuly 12, 1993 · 17,000 units

Defect

THE WELDING ATTACHMENTS OF THE FRONT FRAME RAILS TO THE FLOOR PAN SHEET METAL MAY NOT BE PROPERLY WELDED.

Consequence

THE IMPROPERLY WELDED AREAS COULD CAUSE BODY PANELFLEXING AND SHEET METAL CRACKING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE,COMPROMISING THE VEHICLE IMPACT PROTECTION CAPABILITY. THIS COULD INCREASE THELIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A COLLISIONACCIDENT.

Remedy

SECURE THE FLOOR PAN TO THE FRONT FRAME RAILS BY BOLTING BOTH FRAME RAILS TO THE FLOOR PAN.

92V015000SteeringFebruary 14, 1992 · 20,000 units

Defect

THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.

Consequence

FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.

Remedy

REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN THE HOOD FLEW UP IN THE AIR, CAUSING THE HINGES TO SNAP. WHEN THE HINGES SNAPPED, THE HOOD HIT AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BRING THE HOOD BACK DOWN, THE HOOD INJURED THE DRIVER IN THE PROCESS. THE HOOD HINGES AND WINDSHIELD HAVE BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 31, 1997

“IT WAS LIMITED PRODUCTION ENGINE THAT HAS A PROBLEM OF EATING TIMING BELTS, CRACKING CYLINDER HEADS, AND A/C FAILURE. WHEN THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY DIES AND THERE IS A LOSS OF ALL POWER ASSIST INCLUDING STEERING. ANOTHER ONE OF THESE VEHICLES I OWN WENT THROUGH 5 CYLINDER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2002

“I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT FELL INTO THE BACK SEAT. LUCKILY I HAD SOME DIET PEPSI ON THE FLOOR AND ON THE BACK SEAT BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED ME FROM FALLING ALL THE WAY BACK AND POSSIBLY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ONE OF THE TWO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · August 16, 2005

“IN SEPTEMBER 2001,THE BOLT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE MOTOR WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO JUMP, AND TEARING THE TRANSMISSION LINE . TRANSMISSION FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER ENGINE. POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ENGINE FIRE? FIRE STARTED NEAR BATTERY ON WIRES POSSIBLY SHORTING THEM OUT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 8, 2001 · fire

1992 Dodge Daytona — common questions

Is the 1992 Dodge Daytona reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1992 Daytona problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (7 complaints), engine (2 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 1992 Dodge Daytona have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Dodge Daytona. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Dodge Daytona years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Daytona years to avoid are 1989, 1990. The cleanest record among Daytona years belongs to 1994.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.