The Rolls-Royce Dawn spans 2016–2021 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 15 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Rolls-Royce Dawn a good car?
Short answer: yes — this one scores near the top of what we track. Our score for the Rolls-Royce Dawn is 4.5 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
If you're choosing a year, 2016, 2017, 2018 score best in our data, and 2021, 2020 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
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 Rolls-Royce Dawn is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2016 to 2021 across multiple generations.
How to read a Rolls-Royce Dawn VIN — every digit explained
Every Rolls-Royce Dawn 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 Rolls-Royce 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 Dawn.
- 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. You can decode any VIN for free and get the year-code table, the country codes and the exact spots where the number is stamped.
How many recalls does the Rolls-Royce Dawn have?
The Rolls-Royce Dawn has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2021. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2017 Rolls-Royce Dawn recalls 2
Air Bags
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive and M4 vehicles and Rolls-Royce Dawn vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat-mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk. If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk. If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Best and worst years for the Rolls-Royce Dawn
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Rolls-Royce Dawn — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Rolls-Royce Dawn problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Rolls-Royce Dawn — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Rolls-Royce Dawn specifications & dimensions
The 2018–2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn measures 208″ long on a 122″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 5,809 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Rolls-Royce Dawn window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2021 | 208″ | 77″ | 59″ | 122″ | 5,809 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Rolls-Royce Dawn cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Dawn holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 100 cu ft of passenger volume and 9 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.
Rolls-Royce Dawn 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 Rolls-Royce Dawn get?
The Rolls-Royce Dawn returns up to 15 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $5,150/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn (6.6L 12-cyl) gets 14 mpg combined and costs about $5,500/yr to fuel, emitting 632 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 1/10, smog 3/10) — about $16,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Dawn | 12 | 18 | $5,500 | 632 | 3/10 | 6.6L 12-cyl | |
| 2020 Dawn | 12 | 18 | $5,500 | 637 | 3/10 | 6.6L 12-cyl | |
| 2019 Dawn | 12 | 18 | $5,500 | 637 | 3/10 | 6.6L 12-cyl | |
| 2018 Dawn | 12 | 18 | $5,500 | 634 | 3/10 | 6.6L 12-cyl | |
| 2017 Dawn | 12 | 19 | $5,500 | 627 | 6/10 | 6.6L 12-cyl | |
| 2016 Dawn | 12 | 19 | $5,150 | 609 | 6/10 | 6.6L 12-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 Dawn stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Dawn's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Rolls-Royce Dawn have? Power & range
The Rolls-Royce Dawn is offered with 1 powertrain — 6.6L 12-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 6.6L · 12-cyl | Automatic (S8) | RWD | Premium |
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 Rolls-Royce Dawn cost to own?
A Rolls-Royce Dawn 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 Dawn 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 Dawn loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $25,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Dawn 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 Rolls-Royce Dawn safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Dawn yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How many miles does a Rolls-Royce Dawn last?
A well-maintained Rolls-Royce Dawn 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 Rolls-Royce Dawn’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Dawn’s VIN free →All Rolls-Royce Dawn model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Rolls-Royce Dawn — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Dawn | 0 | — | |
| 2020 Dawn | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Dawn | 0 | — | |
| 2018 Dawn | 0 | — | |
| 2017 Dawn | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2016 Dawn | 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 Dawn?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Rolls-Royce Dawn.
How many recalls does the Dawn have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2021. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Rolls-Royce recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Dawn get?
Up to 15 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Dawn last?
A well-maintained Dawn typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Dawn reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Dawn is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Rolls-Royce Dawn warranty?
New Rolls-Royce 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 Rolls-Royce dealer.
Where is the Rolls-Royce Dawn made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Dawn's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Rolls-Royce may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a Dawn weigh?
The Dawn's curb weight is around 5,809 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the Dawn 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.