1988 Dodge Daytona Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Dodge Daytona (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1988 Dodge Daytona. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and electrical system (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling3 27%
- Seat belts3 27%
- Electrical system2 18%
- Fuel system2 18%
- Steering2 18%
- Body and structure2 18%
- Brakes1 9.1%
- Equipment1 9.1%
- Exterior lighting1 9.1%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Experiencing ongoing problem with seat belt intermittently failing to retract properly; causing seat belt to be inoperative. Dealer/mfr notifed and informed consumer that part was not under a recall/ repairs would be at consumer's cost.”
NHTSA complaint #834224, filed 1999-01Electrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #815216, filed 1997-08Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Dodge Daytona version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytona FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Daytona FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Daytona FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Daytona FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Dodge Daytona in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Dodge Daytona.
Other model years of the Dodge Daytona
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 15 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 17 | 84,936 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 13 | — | 4 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 26 | — | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 34 | — | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Dodge Daytona have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1988 Dodge Daytona as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Dodge Daytona is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1988 Dodge Daytona been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Dodge Daytona get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Dodge Daytona (Daytona, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.