Summary
The Dodge Omni has 6 recalls spanning the 1978-1990 production run, with the most serious recent issue being a valve cover gasket on 1990 models that can work loose, allow engine oil to leak into the engine compartment, and start a fire.
The 1990 model year also has an aftermarket parts recall: ball joint assemblies sold as replacement parts were packaged with nuts that lack a self-locking feature, meaning the nut can back off over time and allow the ball joint to loosen or separate, which can cause loss of directional control. That recall covers replacement parts carrying specific part numbers, not the original factory hardware. Going back to the 1980 model year, front suspension ball joint bolts can crack and cause the ball joint to separate from the control arm, which can make the vehicle pull sharply or become unsteerable. The 1978 model year carries two separate concerns: front suspension control arm rivets can fail under hard impacts and compromise steering control, and nails used during assembly can puncture the fuel tank, creating a fuel leak that raises fire risk in a collision when the tank is full. The 1982 model year has a compliance recall for incorrect emissions control labels, which has no safety consequence.
