1988 Dodge Raider recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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 SECU…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 RAIDER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V103003.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER, MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Trailer Hitches
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
What could happen: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 RAIDER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93E023000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: TRAILER HITCHES
Summary: THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
Notes: SYSTEM: TRAILER HITCH.EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: REESE CLASS II TRAILER HITCH, PART NO. 06070.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO THE DEALER FROM WHOM YOU PURCHASED THEITEM ON AN AGREED SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED OR THE REMEDY DOES CORRECT THE SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT REESE PRODUCTS WARRANTY DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-326-1090, EXT. 203. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (10), Wheels / tires (1), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/14/2000 · Wheels / tires · crash
CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE JERKED SIDEWAYS. HE GOT OUT, AND SAW THAT BACK PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD HAD PEELED OFF FROM THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION TO THE 6 O'CLOCK POSITION , CAUSING A PLATE TO BE RIPPED OFF THE AUTOMOBILE. *AK
09/04/1997 · Seat belts
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103003). CALLED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE IN ON DATE. LEFT VEHICLE W/DEALER. NEXT DAY, WENT TO PICK UP VEHICLE. SERVICE MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER AFTER ARRIVING, THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS. DON'T KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. WILL CALL. *AK *SLC
03/31/1997 · Engine
CRACKED ENGINE HEAD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *AK
12/01/1996 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT RECALL--WANT REFUND FOR REPAIRS.
10/24/1996 · Seat belts
FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON CRACKED AND JAMMED, REPAIRED/REPLACED UNDER RECALL.
09/13/1996 · Seat belts
AFTER BEING REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS VERY HARD TO BUCKLE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUT, ITS HAS BEEN A WHILE NOW AND STILL NO PARTS 95V103003. PLEASE EXPLAIN. *AK
03/12/1996 · Seat belts
UPON REPLACING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FOR RECALL IN JAN 1996, THE BUCKLE HAS BROKEN AGAIN MARCH 1996. *AK
03/12/1996 · Seat belts
UPON REPLACING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FOR RECALL IN JAN 1996, THE BUCKLE HAS BROKEN AGAIN MARCH 1996. *AK