1983 Dodge 400
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1983 Dodge 400 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1983 Dodge 400 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1983 Dodge 400 recalls 5
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY CORRODE AND FAIL AT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR PIVOT MOUNTS IF OPERATED WHERE SALT IS USED TO AID IN SNOW REMOVAL.
Fix: INSTALL ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AS A RESULT OF CORROSION WEAKENING.
LOCATION OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBE TO BOTH REAR WHEELS CAUSES INTERFERENCE AND CHAFING BETWEEN THE TUBES AND REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM PIVOT BRACKETS.
Fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT REAR WHEEL BRAKE TUBES AND REROUTE TO ENSURE PROPER TUBE TO PIVOT BRACKET CLEARANCE. ANY DAMAGED TUBES WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBING ROUTED TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE SYSTEM MAY HAVE BEEN BENT OUT OF SHAPE DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD CHAFE AGAINST THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HANGER BOLT.
Fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE TUBE, IF NECESSARY. A RETAINING CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FOR THE TUBING; ANY DAMAGED TUBES WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
THE TRAVEL COMPUTER SYSTEM WIRING, ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, MAY BE IMPROPERLY CONNECTED. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO INTERNAL COMPONENTS.
Fix: THE WIRING WILL BE RECONNECTED TO ENSURE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF IGNITION SYSTEM..
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBE COULD CAUSE IT TO CHAFE AGAINST THE PARK BRAKE CABLES. EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE TUBE MAY FAIL AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Fix: DEALER WILL REROUTE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBE, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA91010 · Power Train · opened Dec 1990 · closed Dec 1991REAR TRAILING ARM Closed
STATUS: CLOSED 3/24/87===
NHTSA #EA84030 · opened Sep 1984 · closed Mar 1987An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 1
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
ENGINE SAG/POOR PERFORMANCE AFTER HOT RESTART DUE TO FUEL FOAMING- PROCEDUR ES AND
Bulletin 14-48-84 · Equipment · Dec 1984Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 400. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1983 Dodge 400. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the crossmember can become abnormally corroded at the lower control arm attachment. This could result in lower control arm separation and loss of vehicle control. Correction: crossmembers will be inspected and replaced if corrosion is excessive. Remainder will have crossmember retaining brackets installed.
Transport Canada #1988172 · Dec 1988Brakes
On certain vehicles, hydraulic brake tube routing to both rear wheels may allow interference between the tubes and the rear suspension trailing arm pivot brackets. Abrasion resulting from such interference may result in tube fatigue and partial loss of braking capability.
Transport Canada #1983053 · Jun 1983Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Dodge 400
The Dodge 400 is a mid-size car that was sold by Dodge for the 1982 and 1983 model years. The Dodge counterpart of the Chrysler LeBaron, the 400 bridged the gap between the Dodge Aries and the larger Dodge 600. Marketed as a personal luxury vehicle, the 400 was sold as a two-door coupe and convertible and a four-door sedan. Alongside its Chrysler counterpart, the model line marked the return of American-brand convertibles to mass production.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.