1991 Dodge Spirit Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report a wide spread of problems on an older vehicle, with engine and cooling complaints most common, followed by transmission and electrical issues. Recurring themes in the sampled complaints include snapping timing belts and stalling, transmission problems, sudden engine speed increases, and several reports of fire originating in the engine bay or under the dash. Many complaints were filed years after purchase, so condition and maintenance history likely vary a lot between cars.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Timing belt or serpentine belt failure and stalling

   • 12 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 5.6 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2000

   Complaints describe the timing belt letting go while driving at highway speed, with power loss and the engine stopping; one owner reports repeated breakages and another reports a serpentine belt failing after debris collected between belt and pulley. Several owners describe stalling at speed that a dealer could not reproduce or diagnose. According to the complaints, dealers either could not determine a cause or replaced parts without resolving it. Reports come from a wide range of ages and mileages, often at highway speeds of roughly 55-65 mph.

   What to check: Ask for records showing when the timing belt and serpentine belt were last replaced, and have a mechanic inspect belt condition and pulley area for trapped debris.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving about 65mph when vehicle stalled in traffic. Pulled to side of road & turned vehicle off. Restarted vehicle & drove a while; vehicle stalled out again. Called aaa & did not find problem. Followed a while; no stalling till truck left. Took to dealer; on diagnostic & nothing found. Vehicle was test driven.”

   NHTSA complaint #816287, filed 1997-08

   “While traveling and when depressing gas pedal vehicle would not continue to travel. Dealer was notified and stated that transmission blew out. Please provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #862371, filed 2000-05
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Heat and burning at the steering column / dash wiring

   • 6 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 7.8 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2000

   Complaints describe wiring in the steering column overheating, melting the plastic cover, and in one case catching fire shortly after starting the car. Another owner reports the area around the steering wheel and ignition becoming hot and the paint peeling. Dealers reportedly replaced the ignition switch and blower motor without fixing the heat, and one dealer attributed it to the wiring harness. Reports appear across a broad span of ownership years, sometimes after air conditioning or blower use.

   What to check: Check for melted or discolored plastic around the steering column and ignition switch, and ask whether the ignition switch or wiring harness has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I use my A/C the underside of the steering column beganto get hot, so hot that it has melted the steering column cover. I've taken it to my local dealer, who stated that the problem was with the ignition switch, so I had them replace the switch, $150.00 later, the problem still exsits. I went back to the dealer, who now stated that the problem was with the heater/AC blower motor, so I replaced that as well. $170.00 later, still haveing problems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #738474, filed 2000-12

   “When starting the vehicle the gear shift would move, but not catch any gear. This was due to battery acid leaking unto the leakage cable for the gears. The dealer stated that nothing could be done about the acid leaking onto the cable. However, the dealer did replaced the cable.”

   NHTSA complaint #827724, filed 1998-09
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission will not engage or shifts erratically

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 8.0 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2000

   Owners describe the automatic transmission jumping out of gear, failing to shift as intended, or refusing to move when placed in drive. One complaint mentions broken snap rings inside the transaxle and another describes loss of power while driving. In some cases the dealer's assessment was that the transmission had failed and needed replacement. Complaints span many years in service and have been filed at highway and in-town speeds; specific mileages are mostly not recorded.

   What to check: Test drive through all gears, including a cold start, and check for delayed or harsh engagement; ask whether the transaxle has ever been rebuilt or replaced.

4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden or unintended engine speed increase

   • 6 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 6.2 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners describe the engine revving up or accelerating on its own while at a stop, idling, or slowing down, sometimes with cruise control off; braking is needed to hold the car. One report describes a parked car lurching forward when shifted into drive. Complaints note repeated dealer visits without a lasting fix, and one mentions an idle speed motor replaced with no change. Complaints were filed over several years; the reports describe both parked and driving situations rather than a single mileage range.

   What to check: Ask if the idle speed motor, throttle linkage and cruise control cables have been serviced, and check that engine idle settles normally with the car in gear and the brake applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle suddenly accelerated whenever it was at a stop or slowing down to a stop. Vehicle has been in /out of dealer shop on four occasions, and problem still going unresolved. (cruise control was not engaged).”

   NHTSA complaint #858435, filed 2000-03

   “While driving up on incline, vehicle took off;driver felt surge, as if being pushed;foot off gas pedal;engine kept accelerating;brakes applied;no warning.”

   NHTSA complaint #983431, filed 1996-04

Buying note. This is an old vehicle, so service history matters more than any single reported fault: look for belt and transmission maintenance records and have a mechanic check the steering column wiring and idle behavior. Also confirm the listed safety recalls for seat belt buckles, airbag sensors and front brake calipers were completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 38 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.