The Dodge D-Series spans 1981–1993 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1984, 1993, 1992 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1982, 1983. It delivers up to 25 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 Dodge D-Series is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1993 across multiple generations.
How to read a Dodge D-Series VIN — every digit explained
Every Dodge D-Series 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 Dodge and the country it was built in.
- 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 D-Series.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
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 D-Series, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Dodge D-Series have?
The Dodge D-Series has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1993. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Dodge D-Series
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 13 tracked years, the worst years are 1984, 1993, 1992 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1982, 1983.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 D-Series | — | Best | |
| 1982 D-Series | — | Best | |
| 1983 D-Series | — | Best | |
| 1984 D-Series | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1985 D-Series | — | Average | |
| 1986 D-Series | — | Average | |
| 1987 D-Series | — | Average | |
| 1988 D-Series | — | Average | |
| 1989 D-Series | — | Average | |
| 1990 D-Series | — | Average | |
| 1991 D-Series | — | Average | |
| 1992 D-Series | — | Avoid | |
| 1993 D-Series | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Dodge D-Series problems?
The most-reported Dodge D-Series problems are Seat Belts (1 reports) — out of 1 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:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Dodge D-Series specifications & dimensions
The 1993 Dodge D-Series. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Dodge D-Series window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Dodge D-Series cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the D-Series holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 97 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
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.
Dodge D-Series 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 Dodge D-Series get?
The Dodge D-Series returns up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,500/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1993 Dodge D-Series (3.9L 6-cyl) gets 15 mpg combined and costs about $4,150/yr to fuel, emitting 592 g/mi CO₂ — about $9,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 D-Series | 14 | 16 | $4,150 | 592 | — | 3.9L 6-cyl | |
| 1992 D-Series | 14 | 16 | $4,450 | 635 | — | 3.9L 6-cyl |
The 1993 Dodge D-Series (5.2L 8-cyl) gets 13 mpg combined and costs about $4,800/yr to fuel, emitting 684 g/mi CO₂ — about $13,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 D-Series | 11 | 16 | $4,800 | 684 | — | 5.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1992 D-Series | 11 | 15 | $4,800 | 684 | — | 5.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1991 D-Series | 11 | 15 | $4,800 | 684 | — | 5.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1990 D-Series | 11 | 15 | $4,800 | 684 | — | 5.2L 8-cyl |
The 1989 Dodge D-Series (2.2L 4-cyl) gets 23 mpg combined and costs about $2,700/yr to fuel, emitting 386 g/mi CO₂ — about $2,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 D-Series | 21 | 26 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 D-Series | 21 | 26 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 D-Series | 20 | 24 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 D-Series | 21 | 24 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 D-Series | 20 | 24 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 D-Series | 21 | 31 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 2.2L 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 D-Series stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this D-Series's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Dodge D-Series have? Power & range
The Dodge D-Series is offered with 3 powertrains — 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.9L · 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | RWD | Regular |
| V8 | 5.2L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Automatic 3-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 Dodge D-Series cost to own?
A Dodge D-Series holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used D-Series 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 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this D-Series loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the D-Series 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 Dodge D-Series safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the D-Series yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Dodge D-Series last?
A well-maintained Dodge D-Series 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 4.5/5.
Check your Dodge D-Series’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this D-Series’s VIN free →All Dodge D-Series model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Dodge D-Series — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1992 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1991 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1990 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1989 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1988 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1987 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1986 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1985 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1984 D-Series | 1 recall | — | |
| 1983 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1982 D-Series | 0 | — | |
| 1981 D-Series | 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 D-Series?
By owner-complaint volume, 1984, 1993, 1992 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1983 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the D-Series have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1993. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Dodge recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the D-Series get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a D-Series last?
A well-maintained D-Series typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the D-Series reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the D-Series is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Dodge D-Series warranty?
New Dodge 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 Dodge dealer.
Where is the Dodge D-Series made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your D-Series's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Dodge may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the D-Series 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.