Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Coronet or the Dodge Coronet?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Dodge Coronet is cheaper to maintain — about $1,059 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 270ci V8 and the 225ci I6?

Across 28 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Dodge Coronet or Dodge Coronet?

The Dodge Coronet has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge Coronet has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1956 Dodge Coronet vs 1976 Dodge Coronet — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1956

1976

Engine

270ci V8

225ci I6

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

manual

Fuel

gas

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$7,072

0.12 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$8,131

0.14 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Coronet — Saves you $1,059 over 5 years (15% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$440 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

1.5 hrs$530 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

12V battery

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Timing Chain Wear and Slippage (All V8s)

— hrs

— hrs$390 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr

3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr

Water pump

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

Upper Control Arm Bushing Failure

— hrs

— hrs$358 / 5yr

Torsion Bar Anchor Corrosion and Suspension Sag

— hrs

— hrs$315 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

Carburetor Issues (Carter BBD Two-Barrel / Thermoquad Four-Barrel)

— hrs

— hrs$309 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Lean Burn / Electronic Spark Control Module Failures (318/360 V8s)

— hrs

— hrs$293 / 5yr

Heater Core Leaks

— hrs

— hrs$245 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$96 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr

Fuel Tank Sending Unit Failure

— hrs

— hrs$122 / 5yr

Alternator

— hrs

1.0 hrs$113 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Dodge Coronet

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant19.00 qt · conventional IAT

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SB or higher

power_steering · none — manual steering

rear_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

transmission_manual3.50 qt · API GL-1 or GL-4

washer1.00 qt · Water or windshield washer fluid

Dodge Coronet

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant13.00 qt · ASTM D3306

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SF

power_steering2.50 qt · Dexron IID

rear_diff4.40 qt · API GL-5

transmission_manual7.00 qt · Dexron IID

washer2.50 qt · Windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1956 Dodge Coronet

270ci V8

Dodge Coronet is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$1,059 over 5 years)

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.