Dodge Spirit Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 443 consumer complaints across the 7 model years of the Dodge Spirit (1989–1995) that have at least 5 complaints. 1991 has the most, with 95. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (84 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Spirit model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 54,041 | 0 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 87 | 65,000 | 1 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 81 | 112,394 | 0 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 58 | 64,420 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 95 | — | 3 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 63 | — | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 21 | 54,845 | 1 | 1 | — | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain84 21%
- Engine cooling79 20%
- Electrical system63 16%
- Air bags50 12%
- Suspension44 11%
- Brakes37 9.2%
- Vehicle speed control25 6.2%
- Steering22 5.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1992: “Left side windshield wiper arm or pivot suddenly came loose in heavy snow. The right side wiper continued to work but the left side only moved inches if at all. While trying to pull off I-79 I nearly hit another car due to snow covered left side windshield. Wiper arm is loose on pivot or pivot is loose. We've had the problem before, Dodge was to order a replacement pivot when the car was in my mother's name.”
NHTSA complaint #10052697, filed 2004-01, 68,840 miles1993: “I own a 1993 Dodge Spirit with only 96000 miles on it and I have been experiencing transmission problems. For no reason at all the transmission will shift out of gear when I am driving around town. It happens around 20-30 MPH. I have also experienced the transmission not changing gears as needed. I know there has been a long history of defects with the 41te and 42le transmissions. They should have been recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10013785, filed 2003-04, 96,789 miles1994: “Since we bought this used car from a dealer in 1999, the transmission seemed to slip. We complained, but nothing was ever done. In 2001, we took the car to yet another Dodge dealer. At this time, the car had 80,000 miles on it. They said that the transmission needed a complete overhaul. If memory serves me correctly, the price they quoted was $1,800. So now, we drive a car with a horrible transmission that slips upon take off and hard acceleration while passing.”
NHTSA complaint #10047688, filed 2003-11, 80,000 milesOther Dodge models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology