The Dodge D50 spans 1981–1986 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1986, 1984, 1985 (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 D50 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1986 across multiple generations.
How to read a Dodge D50 VIN — every digit explained
Every Dodge D50 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 D50.
- 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 D50, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Dodge D50 have?
The Dodge D50 has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1986. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Dodge D50
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 1986, 1984, 1985 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 D50 | — | Best | |
| 1982 D50 | — | Best | |
| 1983 D50 | — | Best | |
| 1984 D50 | Steering | Avoid | |
| 1985 D50 | — | Avoid | |
| 1986 D50 | Seat Belts | Avoid |
What are the most common Dodge D50 problems?
The most-reported Dodge D50 problems are Steering (1 reports), Seat Belts (1 reports) — out of 2 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 D50 specifications & dimensions
The 1986 Dodge D50. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Dodge D50 window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Dodge D50 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the D50 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 D50 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 D50 get?
The Dodge D50 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 1986 Dodge D50 (2.2L 4-cyl) gets 22 mpg combined and costs about $2,850/yr to fuel, emitting 404 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 D50 | 21 | 24 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 D50 | 20 | 24 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 D50 | 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 D50 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this D50's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Dodge D50 have? Power & range
The Dodge D50 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 D50 cost to own?
A Dodge D50 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 D50 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 D50 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 D50 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 D50 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the D50 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Dodge D50 last?
A well-maintained Dodge D50 typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Dodge D50’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this D50’s VIN free →All Dodge D50 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Dodge D50 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 D50 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1985 D50 | 0 | — | |
| 1984 D50 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1983 D50 | 0 | — | |
| 1982 D50 | 0 | — | |
| 1981 D50 | 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 D50?
By owner-complaint volume, 1986, 1984, 1985 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1983 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the D50 have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1986. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Dodge recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the D50 get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a D50 last?
A well-maintained D50 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the D50 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the D50 is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Dodge D50 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 D50 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your D50'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 D50 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.