The Dodge DIPLOMAT has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–1989. On average a defect was admitted 1 years after the car was built, the slowest took 3 years. The most recalled system is Electrical System (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 5 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Dodge DIPLOMAT
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Electrical System 2 Read
What's wrong. Engine compartment wiring harness fusible link wires may be trapped under the speed control servo bracket
Risk. Trapped wires may eventually cause a high resistanceelectrical short that can result in an underhood fire
Fix. Free any trapped wiring; then secure wiring with a tie strap to keep away from speed control bracket
What's wrong. Battery cap vents may be partially or completely blocked with plastic flashing. Consequence of defect: a build up of internal gas pressure could occur which could result in case rupture, particularly during post charging. Should a person be in the vicinity of the battery when the case ruptures, they may be injured by the released gases and/or acid
Fix. Rework batteries by probing both vent orifices to eliminate any vent obstruction
Steering 1 Read
What's wrong. The steering wheel may crack at its mounting hub weld attachment because of fatigue loading and eventually separate from the hub
Risk. Separation of the steering wheel from its mounting hubresults in loss of steering control and a vehicle crash could occur withoutwarning
Fix. Replace steering wheels with revised wheel with arc welds added at the wheel stamping-to-hub attachment
What's wrong. The steering wheel may crack at its mounting hub weld attachment because of fatigue loading and eventually separate from the hub
Risk. Separation of the steering wheel from its mounting hubresults in loss of steering control and a vehicle crash could occur withoutwarning
Fix. Replace steering wheels with revised wheel with arc welds added at the wheel stamping-to-hub attachment
Engine And Engine Cooling 1 Read
What's wrong. Excessive heat may be transferred to the vehicle floor pan in the rear seat area. This occurs because the muffler heat shield was omitted during manufacture of certain fleet cars. Rear seat cushions may be scorched by heat
Fix. Heat sheilds are being sent directly to fleet owners, who may either install them personally or arrange for dealer installation
Vehicle Speed Control 1 Read
What's wrong. The automatic speed control switch may stick in the "resume" position restricting return movement. This will not allow the normal brake pedal operation to deactivate the system
Fix. The shield portion of the "resume" slide lever in the speed control unit will be replaced without charge
What's wrong. The automatic speed control switch may stick in the "resume" position restricting return movement. This will not allow the normal brake pedal operation to deactivate the system
Fix. The shield portion of the "resume" slide lever in the speed control unit will be replaced without charge
Fuel System, Gasoline 1 Read
What's wrong. Engine may lose power or stall due to carburetor flooding. This is caused by a poor electrical ground on the carburetor fuel bowl vent solenoid. Vehicles may also have driveability problems while the engine is warming up in cold weather. These problems include engine missing, sags, and hesitation. This is caused by a sticking carburetor oxygen feedback solenoid
Fix. Dealer will inspect carburetor and if necessary, the bowl vent solenoid will be repaired by resoldering (reconnecting) the external electrical connection free of charge. If applicable, the oxygen feedback sensor will be replaced
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 1 years |
| Slowest campaign | 3 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | —% |
| Campaigns on record | 6 |
Which DIPLOMAT years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Steering | |
| 1988 | Electrical System | |
| 1986 | Electrical System | |
| 1982 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1981 | Fuel System, Gasoline |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Dodge DIPLOMAT have?
6 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–1989. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my DIPLOMAT still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 1 years, and the slowest campaign came 3 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.