1990 Dodge Monaco: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Dodge Monaco: 6 recalls, 8 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #90V058000 · 1990 · 12,500 vehicles
What's wrong: Lower intermediate steering shaft May separate at the rubber isolated coupling of the shaft.
Why it matters: This could result in loss of steering control and an accident.
The fix: Replace intermediate steering shaft with a shaft containing a restrained coupling.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #90V205000 · 1990 · 97,500 vehicles
What's wrong: Routing of the front brake hose May cause excessive hose flexing resulting in premature fatigue cracking of the outer hose cover.
Why it matters: This could lead to hose failure and loss of brake fluidreducing braking effectiveness.
The fix: Replace front brake hoses with hoses redesigned to provide a modified routing configuration.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #91V027000 · 1991 · 76,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Rear brake tube routing is contacted by fuel tank heat shield when suspension is in full jounce position. This damages the brake fluid tube, causing a leak.
Why it matters: Loss of fluid from half of the diagonally split brakehydraulic system affects braking capability, which could result in an accident.
The fix: Modify heat shield to eliminate potential for shield contacting brake tube.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #94V006000 · 1994 · 125,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The end cap connecting the heat exchanger's core to the engine cooling system could rupture and allow hot coolant to escape into the passenger compartment.
Why it matters: The coolant escaping into the passenger compartment could contact the driver's feet and injure the driver. Also, steam from the heater liquid will cloud on the window surfaces and impair the driver's vision. In either case, failure of the heater core end cap could result in a vehicle accident.
The fix: A coolant temperature controlled heater core fluid bypass valve will be installed.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #95V213000 · 1995 · 90,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The automatic shoulder belt systems can malfunction and become inoperative.
Why it matters: The lack of passive restraints could increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a vehicle collision.
The fix: Dealers will replace the system track and drive assembly on automatic shoulder belt systems which are currently inoperative and those systems when they become inoperative in the future.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #98V005000 · 1998 · 293,369 vehicles
What's wrong: The front disc brake rotors can experience severe corrosion if operated for an extensive period in the "salt belt." if the rotors are not replaced, the corrosion can eventually compromise the structural integrity of the stamped steel center hub section of the rotor.
Why it matters: The reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seat belts (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Dodge Monaco has 8 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 3 Monaco model years for complaints (well below the 18 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old. Neighboring years: 1991 (37 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Dodge Monaco.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1990 Dodge Monaco have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Dodge Monaco. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Dodge Monaco problems?
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (5), engine & cooling (2), brakes (hydraulic) (1).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Dodge Monaco get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Dodge Monaco repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.