1988 Dodge DAYTONA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 |
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 2; 1997: 4; 1998: 1; 1999: 2; 2000: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 726476 · 2000-08-02 (August 2, 2000)
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALSO FUEL ING.QUIT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 726476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 815216 · 1997-08-11 (August 11, 1997)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 815216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 809309 · 1997-02-24 (February 24, 1997)
DRIVER HIT BRAKES AND BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND/ CAR THEN SPON OUT OF CONTROL, THEN HIT A PICKUP TRUCK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 809309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 847894 · 1999-09-16 (September 16, 1999)
RACK AND PINION STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED VIBRATION WITHIN STEERING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 847894 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
11 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 250.0%ODI 830700THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MOTOR. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5% | 218.2% | 720.6% | 27.7%ODI 506236ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES WHEN DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE. *DH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 213.3%ODI 554260ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE, PRIOR TO FIRE THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 720.6%ODI 705353MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL ON THE MORNING OF MARCH 31, 1999. SHE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. AT THAT TIME, THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON HER, BUT NOT AT THE NORMAL FAST SPEED. THIS CAUSED HER TO RUN OFF OF THE ROAD AND OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AS WELL AS THE POLICE. THERE WERE NO CHARGES FILED, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY AIRBAG. IT DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP. AND THEY HAVE SENT A FILE ON… | 27.7% | 17.7%ODI 972249CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG INFLATED AND BLEW OUT SMOKE . TT | 15.9%ODI 987030DRIVING VEHICLE AT 45MPH, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK | 16.7% |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1% | 12.9%ODI 977006AUTO-TRANSMISSION; WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION FAILED DROPPING INTO LOWER GEAR RESULTING IN COMPLETE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT | 311.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.9%ODI 754359IN 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. WHOLE CAR WAS LOST, DESTROYED BY FIRE. *AK | 426.7%ODI 700652WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 40/45 MILES PER HOUR, THE TRANSMISSION QUIT. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 813026THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE BEING DRIVEN. OWNER SMELLED GAS FOR TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *AK | 337.5% | 218.2% | 25.9%ODI 816787CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM AS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. PLEASE PROVDIE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.9%ODI 754359IN 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. WHOLE CAR WAS LOST, DESTROYED BY FIRE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1% | 25.9%ODI 959457ENGINE MOUNT BRACKETS HAVE CRACKED, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TT | 311.5% | 17.7%ODI 480328CLUTCH MAKES NOISE BETWEEN SHIFTS AND SLIPS OUT OF REVERSE GEAR, ALSO CLUTCH PEDAL HAS TO BE HALF-WAY DOWN IN ORDER TO SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. *SKD | 211.8%ODI 10009858 · 18,000 miIT 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 HEADS AND 7 TIMING BELTS IN 83K MILES, BECAUSE OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF THIS SPECIAL ENGINE PRODUCED, THERE PROBABLY HAVEN'T BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS, BUT IF THE SERVICE RECORDS WERE PULLED FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER FOR ALL THE CARS WITH ENGINE VIN CODE "A" THE 2… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 974137WHILE INVOLVED IN A REAREND COLLISION THE FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED IN A RECLINING POSITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.8% | 17.7%ODI 979522BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER SEATBACK UP BROKE, RESULTING IN COLLASPING, REPLACE BOLT ONCE, REPLACEMENT PART BROKE ALSO. *AK | 211.8%ODI 10132985 · 98,000 miI 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 BOLTS HOLDING THE SEAT BACK TO THE RECLINER PIECE FAILED. I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT BOLT FROM DODGE. I HAVE THE OLD BOLT. *NM | 213.3%ODI 700195LOWER LEFT DRIVERS SEAT BACK ATTACHMENT BOLT FAILED ALLOWING SEAT BACK TO FALL FLAT BACK. CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION. |
| Seats | 150.0%ODI 985134FRONT DRIVES BUCKET SEAT BROKE, WHEN VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED FROM THE REAR. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.8% | 323.1%ODI 532244BOLT ON THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER WHEN SEAT FELL FORWARD DURING STOP. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 250.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7%ODI 810983A CLAMP ON THE FUEL LINE HOSE CRACKED, CAUSING FUEL TO SPRAY EVERYWHERE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. *AK |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1992: 2 complaints · 1993: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 12 | 4 | 1 |
| 1993 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Steering:Rack And Pinion | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | — | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.