VehicleVerdict

1991 Dodge Monaco problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1991 Dodge Monaco sits mid-pack among Monaco years: 55 NHTSA complaints, with 7 recalls and 5 closed investigations.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (29% of the total).

55

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

5

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Monaco years?

See all Monaco years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Dodge Monaco problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers1629%
Brakes1018%
Transmission713%
Seat Belts611%
Electrical System47%
Speed Control47%
Body & Structure24%
Fuel System24%
Latches & Locks12%
Engine12%
Suspension12%
Other12%

Does the 1991 Dodge Monaco have recalls?

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

98V005000BrakesJanuary 12, 1998 · 293,369 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Consequence

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

96V099000BrakesJune 13, 1996 · 321,000 units

Defect

THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.

95V213000Seat BeltsNovember 7, 1995 · 90,000 units

Defect

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT SYSTEMS CAN MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

THE LACK OF PASSIVE RESTRAINTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SYSTEM TRACK AND DRIVE ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT SYSTEMS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE AND THOSE SYSTEMS WHEN THEY BECOME INOPERATIVE IN THE FUTURE.

94V006000Visibility & WipersJanuary 11, 1994 · 125,000 units

Defect

THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Consequence

THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULD CONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATER LIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION. IN EITHER CASE, FAILURE OF THE HEATER CORE END CAP COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

A COOLANT TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED HEATER CORE FLUID BYPASS VALVE WILL BE INSTALLED.

91V191000BrakesNovember 1, 1991 · 80,000 units

Defect

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE MAY LEAK OR DETACH AT ITS CRIMPED END FITTING RESULTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.

Consequence

FLUID DISCHARGE EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE LOSS OF BOTH THEANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND HYDRAULIC ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, RESULTING ININCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF BRAKE LOCKUP AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WITH A HOSE OF DIFFERENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.

91V042000Electrical SystemMarch 11, 1991 · 5,500 units

Defect

ROUTING OF BATTERY MAIN FEED WIRING MAY ALLOW IT TO CONTACT THE AIR CLEANER BRACKET AND CONTNUED CONTACT MAY LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

THE ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED BY CONTINUOUS CONTACT COULDRESULT IN THE IGNITION OF THE WIRING INSULATION, AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

THE MAIN FEED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE REROUTED AND SECURED WITH TIE STRAPS AWAY FROM THE AIR CLEANER BRACKET.

91V027000BrakesFebruary 13, 1991 · 76,000 units

Defect

REAR BRAKE TUBE ROUTING IS CONTACTED BY FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD WHEN SUSPENSION IS IN FULL JOUNCE POSITION. THIS DAMAGES THE BRAKE FLUID TUBE, CAUSING A LEAK.

Consequence

LOSS OF FLUID FROM HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKEHYDRAULIC SYSTEM AFFECTS BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

MODIFY HEAT SHIELD TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL FOR SHIELD CONTACTING BRAKE TUBE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING FUMES ENTERING INSIDE OF VEHICLE UPON STARTING ,AND STEAM BUILDUP ON FRONT WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER NOTICED A NHTSA RECALL #94V-006.00/ WATER:DEFROSTER, DEFOGGER: HEATERCORE, WATER. BELIEVED VEHICLE HAVE SAME SYMPTOM AS RECALL. CONTACTED A DEALER, BUT INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 9, 1998

ABS BRAKE FAILURE, VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 20 MPH, PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR AND HAD EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 27, 1996 · crash

HAD THE HEATER CORE WORK ON FROM THE FIRST RECALL, A YEAR LATER THE SAME PROBLEM IS BACK THE WINDOW ARE COVER WITH ANTI-FREEZE, AT NIGHT YOU CAN'T SEE, *AK CONSUMER STATES CV JOINTS, FUEL PUMP, SEAT BELT TRACK INOPERABLE, SEAT BELTS SLIDE FOWARD OFF PASSENGER WHIL VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, ALL FOUR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

THE SEAT BELT TRACK AND ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL 95V213 BUT NOT RETURNED TO WORKING ORDER, BOTH FRONT SEAT RESTRAINTS CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION AND ARE INOPERABLE, ADDITIONALLY THE WORK PERFORMED HAS CAUSED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE RENDERING MANY OF ITS SYSTEMS,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 17, 2000

WHEN SHIFT INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL W/BRAKES HAVING MINIMUM PERFORMANCE. VEHICLE DETROYED SOME PROPERTY. PLEASE DECRIBE DETAILS. TT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 26, 1995 · crash

1991 Dodge Monaco — common questions

Is the 1991 Dodge Monaco reliable?

It is close to typical for the Monaco: 55 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 5 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1991 Monaco problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (16 complaints), brakes (10 complaints), transmission (7 complaints).

Does the 1991 Dodge Monaco have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Dodge Monaco. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Dodge Monaco under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.