The Dodge Raider spans 1985–1989 with 8 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1988, 1989, 1987 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1985, 1986, 1987. It delivers up to 22 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 Raider is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1985 to 1989 across multiple generations.
How to read a Dodge Raider VIN — every digit explained
Every Dodge Raider 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 Raider.
- 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 Raider, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Dodge Raider have?
The Dodge Raider has 8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1989. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1989 Dodge Raider recalls 3
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. THROTTLE BLADE ICING MAY OCCUR DURING EXTENDED HIGHWAY DRIVING AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 10 DEGREES F.
Risk. ICE FORMATION CAN PREVENT THROTTLE BLADE FROM CLOSINGTO THE IDLE POSTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, CREATING APOTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix. INSTALL ANCHOR PLATE UNDER BASE OF THROTTLE; HEATED ENGINE COOLANT WILL BE FLOWED THROUGH AN ADAPTER PLATE TO ELIMINATE ICE FORMATION ON THE THROTTLE BLADE.
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
Risk. IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix. REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
What's wrong. THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
1988 Dodge Raider recalls 2
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
Risk. IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix. REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
What's wrong. THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
1987 Dodge Raider recalls 2
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
Risk. IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix. REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
What's wrong. THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Best and worst years for the Dodge Raider
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 1988, 1989, 1987 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 Raider | — | Best | |
| 1986 Raider | Service Brakes | Best | |
| 1987 Raider | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1988 Raider | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1989 Raider | Seat Belts | Avoid |
What are the most common Dodge Raider problems?
The most-reported Dodge Raider problems are Tires (3 reports), Steering (1 reports) and Hydraulic (2 reports) — out of 33 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 Raider specifications & dimensions
The 1989 Dodge Raider measures 157″ long on a 105″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,122 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Dodge Raider window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 157″ | 66″ | 73″ | 105″ | 3,122 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Dodge Raider cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Raider 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 Raider 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 Raider get?
The Dodge Raider returns up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1989 Dodge Raider (3L 6-cyl) gets 16 mpg combined and costs about $3,900/yr to fuel, emitting 555 g/mi CO₂ — about $8,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Raider | 15 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 1989 Dodge Raider (2.6L 4-cyl) gets 16 mpg combined and costs about $3,900/yr to fuel, emitting 555 g/mi CO₂ — about $8,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Raider | 15 | 18 | $3,900 | 555 | — | 2.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 Raider | 15 | 18 | $3,900 | 555 | — | 2.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 Raider | 15 | 17 | $3,900 | 555 | — | 2.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 Raider | 21 | 24 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 Raider | 20 | 24 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 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 Raider stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Raider's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Dodge Raider have? Power & range
The Dodge Raider is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2.6L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.6L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 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 Raider cost to own?
A Dodge Raider 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 Raider 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 Raider loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $14,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Raider 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 Raider safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Raider yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Dodge Raider last?
A well-maintained Dodge Raider 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 Raider’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Raider’s VIN free →All Dodge Raider model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Dodge Raider — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Raider | 3 recalls | — | |
| 1988 Raider | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1987 Raider | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1986 Raider | 1 recall | — | |
| 1985 Raider | 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 Raider?
By owner-complaint volume, 1988, 1989, 1987 drew the most reports. 1985, 1986, 1987 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Raider have?
8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1989. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Dodge recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Raider get?
Up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Raider last?
A well-maintained Raider typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Raider reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Raider is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Dodge Raider 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 Raider made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Raider'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 does a Raider weigh?
The Raider's curb weight is around 3,122 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the Raider 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.