1991 Dodge Spirit Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Dodge Spirit, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine2522.1%
- Electrical1311.5%
- Airbags1210.6%
- Transmission108.8%
- Driver assistance98.0%
- Body & structure76.2%
- Powertrain (other)65.3%
- Brakes54.4%
- Suspension54.4%
- Steering54.4%
- Fuel system43.5%
- Interior & seats32.7%
- Seat belts21.8%
- Tires & wheels21.8%
- Heating & air conditioning21.8%
- Visibility21.8%
- Exterior lighting10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
*OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT* THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. FUNCTIONAL DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE ENGINE AND UNDER CARRIAGE AREAS. *JG *JB
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
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. LONG STORY SHORT I'VE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DUE WITH THE HEATER/AC SYSTEM TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXSITS. I'VE GONE SO FAR AS TO VISIT LOCAL JUNK YARDS IN ORDER TO SEE IF EVIDANCE EXSITS THAT OTHER 91" DODGE SPIRITS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, OF THE 15 CARS THAT I INSPECTED ALL BUT ONE HAD THE SAME OVERHEATING PROBLEM, I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT THESE CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS BY VIEWING THE WIRING SYSTEM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN AND NOTICE THAT THE WIRING AND STEERING COLUMN COVER WERE MELTED OR HAD HEAT DAMAGE CAUSED TO THEM AS DID MY OWN CAR.*AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I TRIED TO STEER AWAY FROM A CRASH BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT. MY RIGHT ARM WAS THEREFORE IN THE 12:00 POSITION ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND THREW MY RIGHT ARM INTO THE WINDSHIELD SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND MY ELBOW KNOCKED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OFF OF THE WINDOW. THE SEATBELT RESTRAINED ME APPROPRIATELY AND I HAD SOME SEATBELT BRUISING BUT THE AIRBAG SEVERELY CONTUSED MY ARM AND ELBOW WITH POSSIBLE FRACTURES AND CRUSHED BONES RESULTING IN MY ARM BEING IMMOBILIZED IN A LONG ARM CAST. THE SWELLING AND PAIN WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE DOCTORS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE FULL EXTENT OF THE INJURIES. NOW TODAY THEY THINK THAT A TRAUMATIC FUSION MAY HAVE OCCURRED IN MY WRIST. ARE THERE ANY OTHER INJURIES REPORTED THAT HAVE CAUSED OTHER VICTIMS TO HAVE THEIR ARM/S THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD BY A DEPLOYING AIR BAG? I DO SIT AT LEAST 12 INCHES AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED TOWARDS MY FACE OR CHEST, BUT RATHER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. DRIVER'S AIRBAG CAME OUT, BUT DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES AND BURNING OF MITTENS AND COAT. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *AK
REPEATED TRANSMISSION REPAIRS & OIL LEAKS + HEAD REPLACEMENTS. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
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. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PAINT ON THE CAR'S HOOD BEGAN TO CRACK AND PEEL 4 YEARS AFTER THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTED CASES AND STILL CHRYSLER/DODGE ACKNOWLEDGES ANY WRONG DOING. IT WAS THEIR PAINTING PROCESS THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN NOT THE THOUSANDS OF LATE 1980'S AND EARLY 1990'S DODGE CAR/TRUCK/VAN OWNERS. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HELP US!!!!. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE SWAY BAR BROKE. THE SWAY BAR BROKE AGAIN AFTER WELDING IT. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT ENTIRE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY BE REPLACED. *TT *NLM
CONSUMER HEARD METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW AXLE ASSEMBLY BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT WELD IT BACK TOGETHER. IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THREE DODGE DEALERSHIP HAD NO CLUES AS TO WHAT THE CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
BRAKES FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING OVER A STONEY ROAD AT 10MPH, THE ANTI SWAY BAR BROKE.*AK AFTER DRIVNG OVER FRESHLY LAID GRAVEL WHICH WAS DEEP IN SOME AREAS, THE VEHICLE STARTED EMITTING A HIGH PITCHED NOISE CHARACTERISTIC OF A BROKEN ANTI SWAY BAR. THIS BAR WAS WELDED AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR BUT LATER BROKE AGAIN. THE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON FAILURE. *JG
VEHICLE HAS A BROKEN TRAILING ARM ON THE REAR SUSPENSION, CAUSING A RATTLING NOISE. CONSUMER HAD TO BUY COMPLETE ASSEMBLY. STABILIZER BAR DEFECT IS CAUSING PROBLEMS. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REPAIR/REPLACE IT, BUT OWNER NOT SURE IF NEW ONE WILL BE BETTER. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY THE DEALER TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM/DEFECT HAVE NOT EVER ACTUALLY FIXED IT--IT KEEPS REOCCURRING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER PARKED CAR AND WHILE STILL SITTING IN CAR STARTED TO FEEL VERY STRONG HEAT AND CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. CONSUMER BELIEVES FUEL LINE LEAK MAY HAVE STARTED THE FIRE. *AK
THE FIRST TIME I FILLED THE TANK THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT RAN GOO IN THE 39 DAYS I HAD IT, APPART FROM BEING HESITANT TO CHANGE GEAR AT TIMES. ON SUNDAY WHILE TAKING MY KIDS ON A TRIP TO GREAT ADVENTURE,I WAS JUST OVER THE BETSY ROSS BRIDGE WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE THROUGH MY REAR VIEW. I HURRIEDLY PULLED OVER AND IN A FEW SECOND WE NOTICE THE SMOKE WAS UNDER THE HOOD. AND WE STAND THERE WE NOTICE MELTED RUBBER OR WIRE WAS DROPPING DOWN ON THE PAVEMENT SO WE GRABBED A FEW THINGS FROM THE CAR AND KEPT OUR DISTANCE UNTILL THE POLICE AND FIRE TRUCK APPEARED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
HIT FROM THE REAR AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. *AK
VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AT 3:00 POSITION, VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE, AND WENT INTO RECLINING POSITION , CAUSING SEAT BACK FAILURE*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT DISENGAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN LOCKED . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 25 TO 30 MPH, CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE. GOT OUT AND CHECKED RIGHT REAR TIRE WHICH HAD SHREDDED. STEELBELTS WERE SHOWING. 1991, DODGE, SPIRIT, TIRE SIZE P195/70R14, DOT# HHHD514X25.*AK MICHELIN TREADWARE 310 TRACTION A M AND S TUBULAR. *MJ
BRAKES FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. LONG STORY SHORT I'VE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DUE WITH THE HEATER/AC SYSTEM TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXSITS. I'VE GONE SO FAR AS TO VISIT LOCAL JUNK YARDS IN ORDER TO SEE IF EVIDANCE EXSITS THAT OTHER 91" DODGE SPIRITS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, OF THE 15 CARS THAT I INSPECTED ALL BUT ONE HAD THE SAME OVERHEATING PROBLEM, I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT THESE CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS BY VIEWING THE WIRING SYSTEM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN AND NOTICE THAT THE WIRING AND STEERING COLUMN COVER WERE MELTED OR HAD HEAT DAMAGE CAUSED TO THEM AS DID MY OWN CAR.*AK
AIR CONDITION CONDENSOR CRACKED AND LEAKS FREON AND OIL. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. LONG STORY SHORT I'VE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DUE WITH THE HEATER/AC SYSTEM TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXSITS. I'VE GONE SO FAR AS TO VISIT LOCAL JUNK YARDS IN ORDER TO SEE IF EVIDANCE EXSITS THAT OTHER 91" DODGE SPIRITS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, OF THE 15 CARS THAT I INSPECTED ALL BUT ONE HAD THE SAME OVERHEATING PROBLEM, I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT THESE CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS BY VIEWING THE WIRING SYSTEM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN AND NOTICE THAT THE WIRING AND STEERING COLUMN COVER WERE MELTED OR HAD HEAT DAMAGE CAUSED TO THEM AS DID MY OWN CAR.*AK
TIMING BELT FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGED FROM HEAT OF WEATHER AND CONSUMER CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHTS ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC AND HEAT HAS BLURRED THE LIGHTS. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .