RecallMyCar

Dodge Diplomat Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints across 11 model years of the Dodge Diplomat (1976–1989). The most-complained-about year is 1986.

10
safety recalls, all years
7
owner complaints, all years
1978
year with most recalls
1986
year with most complaints

Pick your Dodge Diplomat model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1989 Dodge Diplomat10
1988 Dodge Diplomat21
1987 Dodge Diplomat01
1986 Dodge Diplomat13
1985 Dodge Diplomat02
1982 Dodge Diplomat20
1981 Dodge Diplomat20
1980 Dodge Diplomat10
1978 Dodge Diplomat30
1977 Dodge Diplomat20
1976 Dodge Diplomat20

What Dodge Diplomat owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The 1986 model year has the most, with 3.

All Dodge Diplomat recalls (10)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Dodge Diplomat, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 91V051000 Reported 12,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    The steering wheel may crack at its mounting hub weld attachment because of fatigue loading and eventually separate from the hub.

    Remedy: Replace steering wheels with revised wheel with arc welds added at the wheel stamping-to-hub attachment.

    Model years: 1988, 1989

  2. Electrical system: front underhood

    NHTSA 87V164000 Reported 12,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Engine compartment wiring harness fusible link wires may be trapped under the speed control servo bracket.

    Remedy: Free any trapped wiring; then secure wiring with a tie strap to keep away from speed control bracket.

    Model years: 1988

  3. 12v/24v/48v battery (electrical system)

    NHTSA 86V053000 Reported 32,149 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Battery cap vents may be partially or completely blocked with plastic flashing. Consequence of defect: a build up of internal gas pressure could occur which could result in case rupture, particularly during post charging. Should a person be in the vicinity of the battery when the case ruptures, they may be injured by the released gases…

    Remedy: Rework batteries by probing both vent orifices to eliminate any vent obstruction.

    Model years: 1986

  4. Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 83V108000 Reported 2,400 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Excessive heat may be transferred to the vehicle floor pan in the rear seat area. This occurs because the muffler heat shield was omitted during manufacture of certain fleet cars. Rear seat cushions may be scorched by heat.

    Remedy: Heat sheilds are being sent directly to fleet owners, who may either install them personally or arrange for dealer installation.

    Model years: 1982

  5. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 81V111000 Reported 150,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    The automatic speed control switch may stick in the "resume" position restricting return movement. This will not allow the normal brake pedal operation to deactivate the system.

    Remedy: The shield portion of the "resume" slide lever in the speed control unit will be replaced without charge.

    Model years: 1981, 1982

  6. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 81V055000 Reported 30,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Engine may lose power or stall due to carburetor flooding. This is caused by a poor electrical ground on the carburetor fuel bowl vent solenoid. Vehicles may also have driveability problems while the engine is warming up in cold weather. These problems include engine missing, sags, and hesitation. This is caused by a sticking carburetor…

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect carburetor and if necessary, the bowl vent solenoid will be repaired by resoldering (reconnecting) the external electrical connection free of charge. If applicable, the oxygen feedback sensor will…

    Model years: 1981

  7. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 79V204000 Reported 6,617 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    The front brake hose routing on the involved vehicles may allow interference between the hoses and the front tires during extreme turning angles.

    Remedy: Special brake hose restraining straps will be installed on each involved vehicle to relocate both front hoses and ensure that adequate hose to tire clearance is maintained.

    Model years: 1980

  8. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 77V240000 Reported 1,207,458 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    On the involved vehicles, the hood secondary catch system may be misaligned which may cause the secondary catch to malfunction. Consequently, the hood may not be securely latched.

    Remedy: Dealer will adjust the catch system to fully secure the hood, without charge.

    Model years: 1976, 1977, 1978

  9. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 77V211000 Reported 22,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    The columns may contain steering shafts in which the steering column coupling roll pin retaining notch was machined too deep. This may cause the steering wheel shaft to become disengaged from the rest of the steering assembly.

    Remedy: Dealer will install a cotter pin through the roll pin to ensure retention, at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1978

  10. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 77V188000 Reported 1,225,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    On the involved vehicles, damage to the front wheel brake hydraulic system could occur due to front wheel brake line tube corrosion. Front wheel brake hoses may become brittle and crack due to prolonged operation in cold temperatures.

    Remedy: The dealer will replace both front hoses if found necessary and in addition, will install a plastic shield between the battery thermo-guard and the tubes to prevent corrosion.

    Model years: 1976, 1977, 1978

Other Dodge models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.