1989 Dodge Dynasty Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 1989 Dodge Dynasty most often report engine oil leaking from the valve cover or head gaskets, and a notable group describes transmission clunking, sticking, or dropping gears. Electrical smoke, fires, and controller failures also appear, and some complaints describe brake and rear axle failures. Mileage appears in only some complaints, and where it does it runs from about 43,500 to 150,590 miles.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Oil leaks from valve cover and head gaskets

   • 12 complaints (22%)
   • median 77,265 mi at 21.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2013

   Owners describe engine oil leaking from the valve cover or head gasket area, with oil dripping while the engine is off, oil reaching the air conditioning compressor in one case, and a burning oil smell in another. One owner says the gasket was replaced twice and the leak continued, and in another case a later repair required a camshaft replacement. According to the complaints, a dealer checked the VIN and said the car was not covered by a valve cover gasket recall, and another owner says a repair was declined when the owner asked for it to be paid under the recall. Where mileage is listed it ranges from about 43,500 to 130,000 miles, and complaints were filed between 1997 and 2013.

   Recall 89V237000

   What to check: Ask whether the VIN has been checked against recall 89V237000, which describes a valve cover gasket that may dislocate, and check for fresh oil around the valve cover, head gasket area, and air conditioning compressor. Ask for records of any valve cover, head gasket, or camshaft repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10501845, filed 2013-03, 43,531 miles

   “I thought chrysler was to repair their cost? Note: repair work indicated, for failed valve cover gasket .NHTSA recall id number # 89v237000. I understand replacement part is a revised (valve)cover w/ rtv sealant application.(should this not be done a.s.a.p. For risk of fire? And, is this not to be completed at licensed chrysler dealer-mechanic shop, and supplied by and paid in full, by chrysler? 'they' claim: no . Please advice accordingly-per e mail and,or writing u.s. Mail. Thank you! Ly'; per recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #758833, filed 2002-03
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical fires, smoke, and controller failures

   • 10 complaints (18%)
   • typically at 10.2 yrs old
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2002

   Owners describe electrical fires or smoke, including an alternator that caught fire with smoke from under the hood, a battery that was on fire after a burning smell from underneath the car, and a fire under the hood after the vehicle was parked and left idling. Other complaints describe dashboard smoke from a fuse that kept opening, a shorted lamp socket, and an engine controller failure that cut power including the brakes and steering. According to the complaints, the dealer said the fire under the hood was an electrical problem, and the battery and starter had been replaced before the fires, with each repair working for a while before failing again. Mileage is not listed for these complaints, which were filed between 1996 and 2002, and some describe smoke or fire while driving or after parking.

   What to check: Ask whether the battery, starter, alternator, and under-hood wiring were inspected, and whether any fuse has opened repeatedly. Check for a burning smell or melted insulation under the hood and dash, and confirm the vehicle starts and runs normally on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #838576, filed 1999-05

   “Within two years the engine controller has failed, resulting in all power, including brakes and steering becoming nonfunctional. On second occurrence, owner almost struck a child in parking lot due to power loss. Body controller also continues to go out.”

   NHTSA complaint #813745, filed 1997-07
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission clunking, sticking, or dropping gears

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 7.2 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners describe clunking when shifting from park into drive or reverse, a car that feels like it is in neutral when placed in drive, and a transmission that sticks out of gear, hesitates, or jerks when accelerating after a stop. Others describe a transmission that drops into a lower gear without warning at highway speed or loses top gear while traveling, and one complaint links the clunking to broken motor mounts that a service station found, with stalling when slowing. According to the complaints, dealers recommended transmission replacement, and in one case the owner says the dealer did not mention open recalls on that transmission and would not help. The only mileage in the text is 150,590 at a transmission service, and complaints were filed between 1995 and 2001, mostly while driving or shifting.

   What to check: Ask for the transmission service history, including any repair or replacement, and whether the motor mounts were checked. On a test drive, shift from park to drive and reverse and watch for clunks, hesitation, or a sudden drop into a lower gear.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #750257, filed 2001-08

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year should ask for proof of valve cover, head gasket, and transmission service, and check for fresh oil leaks and smooth shifting before buying. Because the complaints span 1997 to 2013 and the sample is limited, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is especially useful.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 22 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.