The Daihatsu Charade spans 1985–2026 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1990, 1992, 1991 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1985, 1986, 1987. It delivers up to 34 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Daihatsu Charade is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1985 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Daihatsu Charade VIN — every digit explained
Every Daihatsu Charade carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Daihatsu and the country it was built in (real Daihatsu codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Charade.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- JapanJD1 · JD2
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Charade, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Daihatsu Charade have?
The Daihatsu Charade has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1990 Daihatsu Charade recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
What's wrong. The primary side brake cup within the master cylinder may fail causing loss of brake fluid line pressure in one-half of the dual braking system.
Risk. This would cause reduced braking effectiveness andincreased stopping distances that could result in an accident.
Fix. Replace master cylinder.
Best and worst years for the Daihatsu Charade
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 42 tracked years, the worst years are 1990, 1992, 1991 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1985, 1986, 1987.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Charade | — | Best | |
| 1986 Charade | — | Best | |
| 1987 Charade | — | Best | |
| 1988 Charade | Seat Belts | Average | |
| 1989 Charade | Seat Belts | Average | |
| 1990 Charade | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1991 Charade | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1992 Charade | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1993 Charade | — | Average | |
| 1994 Charade | — | Average | |
| 1995 Charade | — | Average | |
| 1996 Charade | — | Average | |
| 1997 Charade | — | Average | |
| 1998 Charade | — | Average | |
| 1999 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2000 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2001 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2002 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2003 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2004 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2005 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2006 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2007 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2008 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2009 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2010 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2011 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2012 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2013 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2014 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2015 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2016 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2017 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2018 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2019 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2020 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2021 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2022 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2023 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2024 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2025 Charade | — | Average | |
| 2026 Charade | — | Average |
What are the most common Daihatsu Charade problems?
The most-reported Daihatsu Charade problems are Seat Belts (10 reports), Power Train (1 reports) and Engine And Engine Cooling (1 reports) — out of 12 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Seat Belts 10 Read
Vehicle involved in head on collision, seat belt did not keep passenger in place. Tt
Seat belts failed during an accident, resulting in an injury. *ak
The consumer stated when driving the seat belt tightens leaving bruises on her body. Please describe. Tt
The driver's side seat belt retractor stopped working. *ak
Driver's side automatic seat belt has failed, shoulder belt has totally failed. Tt
Motorized seat belt failed to latch. *ak
Seat brelt will not latch, causing automatic seat belt to cycle, dealer disconnected the system. 8ak
Lap/shoulder belt will not retract on drivers and passengers side seat. Tt
Failure on the driver's and passenger's side shoulder belts, the shoulder belts grab. *ak
The drivier side seat belt buckle broken. Tt
Power Train 1 Read
When try to shift car into the gear it is too hard. Tt
Engine And Engine Cooling 1 Read
Vehicle stalls while driving due to egr valve sensor failure. Yh
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Daihatsu Charade specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Daihatsu Charade. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Daihatsu Charade window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Daihatsu Charade cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Charade holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Daihatsu Charade tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Daihatsu Charade get?
The Daihatsu Charade returns up to 34 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $1,850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1992 Daihatsu Charade (1L 3-cyl) gets 34 mpg combined and costs about $1,850/yr to fuel, emitting 261 g/mi CO₂ — that's about $1,750 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Charade | 32 | 38 | $1,850 | 261 | — | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 1991 Charade | 32 | 38 | $1,850 | 261 | — | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 1990 Charade | 32 | 38 | $1,850 | 261 | — | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 1989 Charade | 32 | 38 | $1,850 | 261 | — | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 1988 Charade | 32 | 38 | $1,850 | 261 | — | 1L 3-cyl |
The 1992 Daihatsu Charade (1.3L 4-cyl) gets 32 mpg combined and costs about $1,950/yr to fuel, emitting 278 g/mi CO₂ — that's about $1,250 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Charade | 30 | 35 | $1,950 | 278 | — | 1.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1991 Charade | 30 | 35 | $1,950 | 278 | — | 1.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1990 Charade | 30 | 35 | $1,950 | 278 | — | 1.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1989 Charade | 32 | 38 | $1,850 | 261 | — | 1.3L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Charade stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Charade's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Daihatsu Charade have? Power & range
The Daihatsu Charade is offered with 2 powertrains — 1L 3-cyl, 1.3L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cyl | 1.0L · 3-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 1.3L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Daihatsu Charade cost to own?
A Daihatsu Charade depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used Charade is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Charade loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $9,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Charade ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Daihatsu Charade safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Charade yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Daihatsu Charade last?
A well-maintained Daihatsu Charade typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Daihatsu Charade’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Charade’s VIN free →All Daihatsu Charade model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Daihatsu Charade — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2025 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2024 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2022 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2021 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2020 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2018 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2017 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2016 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2015 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2014 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2013 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2012 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2011 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2010 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2009 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2008 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2007 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2006 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2005 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2004 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2003 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2002 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2001 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 2000 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1999 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1998 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1997 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1996 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1995 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1994 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1993 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1992 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1991 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1990 Charade | 1 recall | — | |
| 1989 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1988 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1987 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1986 Charade | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Charade | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Charade?
By owner-complaint volume, 1990, 1992, 1991 drew the most reports. 1985, 1986, 1987 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Charade have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Charade get?
Up to 34 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Charade last?
A well-maintained Charade typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Charade reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Charade is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Daihatsu Charade warranty?
New Daihatsu models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Daihatsu dealer.
Where is the Daihatsu Charade made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Charade's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Daihatsu may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Charade have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.