1993 Dodge Spirit Problems
- Complaints
- 81filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 112,394miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Dodge Spirit (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often write about stalling and cutting out while driving, smoke and burning smells from the steering column area, and noises or breakage at the rear axle and trailing arm. Reports are spread across a wide range of mileage and years, from mid-1990s filings through the mid-2000s, and many describe repeated dealer visits where the problem could not be reproduced or pinpointed.
- Fuel system
Intermittent stalling and cutting out while driving
- 9 complaints (11%)
- typically at 6.0 yrs old
- filed 1995–2002
Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning at ordinary road speeds, sometimes with no restart problem and sometimes repeatedly during a trip. Owners report the vehicle stalling at low speed around town as well as on the highway. Several say the dealer inspected the vehicle multiple times, replaced parts such as the fuel pump or EGR valve, and still could not duplicate or correct the condition. Reported across a wide mileage range, from vehicles under 100,000 miles to older ones; one owner notes stalling in damp weather.
What to check: Ask whether the stalling has occurred and under what conditions, and get a scan of stored fault codes. A long test drive that includes stop-and-go driving and damp weather is worth doing.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Consumer states the vehicle started to stalls intermittently at 75,000 mile during damps weather condition. Vehicle been to the dealer on three occasion and was unable to locate the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8019504, filed 2002-09“While driving the vehicle will stall unexpectedly which may cause an accident. Dealer replace fuel pump/EGR valve, etc. Dealer cannot determine problem. Problem still exists. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #833358, filed 1999-01 - Electrical system
Smoke or burning smell from steering column
- 6 complaints (7%)
- typically at 3.9 yrs old
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2000
Owners describe smoke coming from the steering column area, most often right after starting the vehicle but sometimes while driving. In some complaints the ignition key became very hot and a wiring harness was found melted; one report mentions the battery failing at the same time. Dealers replaced the ignition switch or steering column in several cases, and in some the cause was not determined. Reported in vehicles of various ages and mileage, typically noticed at startup or during the first minutes of a drive.
What to check: Check for a burning smell in the cabin and any melted or repaired wiring under the column and dash. Ask whether the ignition switch or column wiring has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Upon starting vehicle or when driving smoke is coming from steering column area. Problem occurred mostly upon starting vehicle. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has not determine the cause. Ignition switch shorted out and burned up.”
NHTSA complaint #866357, filed 2000-07“Driving and vehicle filled up with smoke,turned the ignition off and took key out. Key was so hot that driver dropped it. Second time started the vehicle smoke boiled out and smoke started coming from the column. Battery also blew up.”
NHTSA complaint #813756, filed 1997-07
Buying note. With this many reports concentrated in stalling, column wiring and rear axle condition, an inspection by a shop familiar with older Chrysler vehicles is worth the cost before purchase. Ask for service records showing what has already been replaced, since many complaints describe repeated visits without a confirmed fix.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 33 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.
NHTSA recorded 81 consumer complaints for the 1993 Dodge Spirit. 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 112,394 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 cooling17 21%
- Suspension14 17%
- Electrical system13 16%
- Brakes8 9.9%
- Exterior lighting7 8.6%
- Air bags6 7.4%
- Fuel system5 6.2%
- Seats5 6.2%
- Vehicle speed control5 6.2%
Also reported: Steering (4), Tires (3), Seat belts (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Battery will die out at any speed. Consumer feels this is very dangerous at highway speeds. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer replaced timing belt, camshaft and the top part of engine. Problem has reoccurred. Please provide any further informaation.”
NHTSA complaint #8015378, filed 2002-08Suspension: “Consumer experiencing loud squeaking noise from rear of vehicle. Dealer informed consumer that the rear trailing arm assembly axle needs replacement, and will repair at the cost to consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #828910, filed 1998-10Transmission and drivetrain: “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 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 96,789 and 128,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1993 Dodge Spirit. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit · sedan | not rated | 3 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 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 | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Spirit FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Spirit FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Spirit FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Spirit FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1993 Dodge Spirit in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Engine cooling. Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 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
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Dodge Spirit?
Owners of this model year most often write about stalling and cutting out while driving, smoke and burning smells from the steering column area, and noises or breakage at the rear axle and trailing arm. The issues reported most often: Intermittent stalling and cutting out while driving; Smoke or burning smell from steering column.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Dodge Spirit have?
NHTSA recorded 81 consumer complaints for the 1993 Dodge Spirit as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Dodge Spirit is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 17 complaints (21% of the total), followed by suspension with 14.
Has the 1993 Dodge Spirit been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Dodge Spirit get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Dodge Spirit (Spirit, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 Dodge Spirit reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 112,394 miles and the middle half falls between 96,789 and 128,000 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.