1989 Dodge Dynasty Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Dodge Dynasty, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission1928.4%
- Engine1522.4%
- Brakes811.9%
- Steering57.5%
- Electrical46.0%
- Suspension34.5%
- Powertrain (other)34.5%
- Seat belts34.5%
- Interior & seats23.0%
- Fuel system23.0%
- Visibility11.5%
- Other / unspecified11.5%
- Body & structure11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING AUTO TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK. SERVICED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OILCHANGE @150,590M, AT WHICH TIME ATTENDANT @ SVC. STATION INFORMED ME THAT TWO MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN/MISSING, AND THAT IMMEDIATE SERVICE OF COMPONENTS WAS NECESSARY. DROVE VEHICLE HOME(5 MILES) AND PARKED. VEHICLE RESPONDED MARGINALLY TO TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE, BUT STALLED UPON SLOWING TO STOP OR TURN. ENGINE APPEARS TO BE FREE-FLOATING IN COMPARTMENT, AND RESULTING MISALIGNMENT CAUSES FREQUENT STALLING.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HALT UNEXPECTEDLY, LOSING THE TOP GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, PAID OVER $100.00 FOR SAID INSPECTION AND THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT $3200.00 THEY NEGLECTED TO INFORM ME OF THE MANY RECALLS ON THIS TRANSMISSION, AND WOULD NOT HELP ME. (DEALER: BELLEVUE DODGE, BELLEVUE WA. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL FROM GASKET INTO AC COMPRESSOR, WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE AND IT STILL LEAKS. RESEARCHING ONLINE THERE IS A RECALL FOR IT 89V237000 THAT DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM EXACTLY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO RESEARCHED MY VIN AND SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS UNAFFECTED. I WOULD ASSUME THAT IF MY VEHICLE FITS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM EXACTLY, THEN IT SHOULD BE FIXED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 DODGE DYNASTY. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED OIL LEAKING FORM THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 05/19/2010. *LJ UPDATED 06/29/10 *BF THE CAMSHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/06/10.*JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE PADS AND LINES BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE FINE. DEALERSHIP NOTICED METAL SHAVING IN THE BRAKE FLUID, AND BRAKE PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE "HARD," AND HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. *AK *ML
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
STEERING COLUMN FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15MPH ON HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A SMELL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, AND BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
01MAR99: HAD PARKED & LEFT VEHICLE IDLING. RETURNED HEARD NOISE. ARRIVED HOME & NOTICED HEAVY SMOKE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & EXTINGUISEHD THE FLAMES. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD. HAD HAPPENEDED AGAIN ON MAY 11,Y99. SAME PROBLEM & FIRE. ALSO, SOMETIMES HARD TO START VEHICLE. REPLACED BATTERY & STARTER BEFORE FIRES. EACH TIME HAD WORKED FOR A WHILE & THEN FAILED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END SEPARATED AND CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING.
STEERING COLUMN FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN REAR END DROPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OWNER'S HOME. A MECHANIC HAS LOOKED AT VEHICLE ,AND FOUND THAT REAR AXLE CRACKED AND TWISTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
REAR AXLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TOAN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLASTIC PIECE INSIDE RELEASE BUTTION MECHANISM WILL NOT DISENGAGE, CAUSING FASTNER TO STICK. *AK
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS BROKEN, REAR SEAT BELT IN MIDDLE IS BROKEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
SMOKE FROM DASHBOARD/ DRIVERS SIDE, #14 FUSE IS OPEN. REPLACED PINK/BLACK WIRE FROM FUSE PANEL TO HEADLIGHT SWITCH.. #14 SWITCH CONTINUES TO OPEN INTERMITTANTLY. REPLACED ALL PARKING/TAIL LAMPS. FUSE CONTINUES TO OPEN INTERMITTANTLY. CHECKED LICENSE PLATE LAMPS, FOUND (L) LAMP SOCKET SHORTED. LAMP SOCKET BROKEN DOWN INTO A STICKY GOOEY SUBSTANCE THAT DISINTEGRATED ONTO MY FINGERS, ONLY BASE OF SOCKET REMAINED INTACT. DISCONNECTED BASE OF SOCKET FROM CIRCUIT. #14 FUSE STOPPED OPENING.*AK
STEERING COLUMN FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
GAS TANK CAME APART AT SEAM; SMELLED GAS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS; FILLED TANK, NOTICED GAS LEAKING OUT. TT
POWER STEERING HOSE MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING; NEEDS REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING COLUMN FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT HAVE INFORMATION ON WHAT OIL TO USE ON THE HOOD COVER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .