1989 Dodge Spirit Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 54,845miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Dodge Spirit (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1989 Dodge Spirit. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and suspension (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,845 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling5 24%
- Suspension3 14%
- Fuel system2 9.5%
- Brakes1 4.8%
- Electrical system1 4.8%
- Equipment1 4.8%
- Exterior lighting1 4.8%
- Other or unknown1 4.8%
- Seat belts1 4.8%
Also reported: Steering (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “On the transmission it is very slow shifting between 1st and 2nd. Also the reverse went out completely,and had to get the transmission rebuilt for $1019. Now the problem is occurring again. He shifter is made of plastic, and it's beginning to wear away, and will shift from drive to nuetral by itself on occasion. Also, it is very hard to get it out of park. In addition, engine leaking oil from somewhere, and there is a new spot under the car on the floor with oil.”
NHTSA complaint #703493, filed 1999-02Transmission and drivetrain: “When parked on an incline vehicle will not shift from park unless driver starts engine and presses the emergency brake, and then shifts it into park. When releasing the emergency brake would have to try taking it out of park at the same time, or if someone rocks vehicle from the back.”
NHTSA complaint #840630, filed 1999-06Fuel system: “Consumer states vehicle would accelerate intermittently while driving. Vehicle taken to the dealer and informed that the problem was the idle control motor. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #8019893, filed 2002-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,845 and 54,845 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Dodge Spirit version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Spirit FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Spirit FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Spirit FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Spirit FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Spirit FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V237000Dec 27, 1989Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: Dodge Spirit 1989–1990, Plymouth Voyager 1989–1990, Dodge Shadow 1989–1990 +12 more
The engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.
Recall details for the 1989 Dodge Spirit → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10150552Apr 23, 2015Equipment. Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the…
Other model years of the Dodge Spirit
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 54,041 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 87 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 81 | 112,394 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 58 | 64,420 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 95 | — | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 63 | — | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 21 | 54,845 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
All Dodge Spirit model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Dodge Spirit have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1989 Dodge Spirit as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Dodge Spirit is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.
Has the 1989 Dodge Spirit been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Dodge Spirit get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Dodge Spirit (Spirit, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Dodge Spirit reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,845 miles and the middle half falls between 54,845 and 54,845 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.