1993 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 1993 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
- Engine1716.3%
- Suspension1413.5%
- Electrical1312.5%
- Brakes98.7%
- Airbags65.8%
- Interior & seats65.8%
- Exterior lighting65.8%
- Powertrain (other)65.8%
- Driver assistance54.8%
- Fuel system54.8%
- Transmission43.8%
- Steering43.8%
- Tires & wheels32.9%
- Visibility21.9%
- Seat belts21.9%
- Heating & air conditioning11.0%
- Other / unspecified11.0%
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
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.
REAR AXLE BAR BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DUE TO LOCATION OF BREAK, WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED ($885.97). REPAIR SHOP COMMENTED THAT PART READILY AVAILABLE INDICATING A COMMON PROBLEM. VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE CONNECTOR. WATER PUMP PULLEY AND BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MISALIGNMENT OF PULLEY WHICH CAUSED IT TO RUB ON BELTS. CREATED LARGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE NOISE. ADDITIONALLY VALVE GASKET COVER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE TO CORRECT RECURRENT OIL LEAK. CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE 9-3-02--CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY DON'T CARE. *AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED WHICH WAS REPLACED ON MAY 4, 1999.
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. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.*AK
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. *AK IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT AND BURNED UP. *YH
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CABLE THAT TURNS ON THE BRAKES GOT RAPPED UP WITH THE STEERING COLUMN/ UNIVERSAL JOINTS, CAUSING THE CABLE TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *AK
LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED WHICH WAS REPLACED ON MAY 4, 1999.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A REALLY BAD IMPACT. ALSO, SEAT BELT BUCKLES DID NOT LOCK PROPERLY.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
FRONT CRASH 35 MPH, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND A 3 INCH PIECE OF HARD PLASTIC HIT DRIVER IN FACE AND CAUSED INJURY. *AK
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
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BOLT WHICH SUPPORTS THE SEAT BROKE, CAUSING MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, ONLY ONE BOLT IS HOLDING THE SEAT IN PLACE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER WOULD ONLY MAKE REPAIRS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *ML
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE WHILE THE OCCUPANT WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK
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
HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE BECOMING VERY DIM. THIS IS CAUSING LIGHT NOT TO BE SEEN VERY CLEARLY AT NIGHT AND AT CERTAIN DISTANCES. LENS COVER IS YELLOWISH, AND LIGHT IS HARDLY SHINNING THROUGH. *AK
WHENEVER IT RAINS WATER GETS INTO THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE LIGHT BULB BLOWS OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF THE LIGHT. *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
REAR AXLE BAR BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DUE TO LOCATION OF BREAK, WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED ($885.97). REPAIR SHOP COMMENTED THAT PART READILY AVAILABLE INDICATING A COMMON PROBLEM. VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE CONNECTOR. WATER PUMP PULLEY AND BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MISALIGNMENT OF PULLEY WHICH CAUSED IT TO RUB ON BELTS. CREATED LARGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE NOISE. ADDITIONALLY VALVE GASKET COVER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE TO CORRECT RECURRENT OIL LEAK. CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE 9-3-02--CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY DON'T CARE. *AK
UPON VISUAL INSPECTION MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THAT REAR AXLE'S WELD WAS BREAKING LOOSE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AND SET ITSELF TO 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE TO 30 MPH. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED A MINOR REAR END COLLISION. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *LA
THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE THROTTLE TAKING OVER. *PH WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK OPEN. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE WAS BEING DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE ENOUGH THAT THE CONSUMER COULD TURN ONTO A SIDE ROAD. SHE IMMEDIATELY JAMMED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS THERE FOR TWO WEEKS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT RECURRED. *NM
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
DT: 1993 DODGE SPIRIT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL CONCERNING THE FUEL SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP ARRANGED FOR THE REPAIRS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY NOTICED THE GAS LINES WERE CORRODED ON BOTH SIDES. IF THEY WERE TO BE TAKEN OFF THEY WILL CRUMBLE. CONTACTED CHRYSLER TO ACQUIRE NEW LINES. THEY WERE NO LONGER BEING MADE. CHRYSLER STATED THE PARTS ONLY HAVE TO BE SUPPLIED FOR SEVEN YEARS. THE RECALL WORK COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING WITHOUT THE GAS LINES. *AK *JB
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *JB
REAR AXLE BAR BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DUE TO LOCATION OF BREAK, WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED ($885.97). REPAIR SHOP COMMENTED THAT PART READILY AVAILABLE INDICATING A COMMON PROBLEM. VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE CONNECTOR. WATER PUMP PULLEY AND BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MISALIGNMENT OF PULLEY WHICH CAUSED IT TO RUB ON BELTS. CREATED LARGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE NOISE. ADDITIONALLY VALVE GASKET COVER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE TO CORRECT RECURRENT OIL LEAK. CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE 9-3-02--CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY DON'T CARE. *AK
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
SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. *AK
RACK AND PINION STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING IN RIGHT TURNS AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. *AK
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
I BROUGHT MY TIRE TO A MECHANIC TO REPLACE A BENT RIM. HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIND A REPLACEMENT RIM AND BENT THE RIM BACK WITH A HAMMER. HOWEVER THE RIM STILL LOOKS UNSAFE. I TOOK A DIGITAL PHOTO AND WOULD LIKE TO SEND IT TO YOU. HOW DO I DO THAT. PLEASE TELL ME IF THE TIRE IS NOW SAFE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 30-35 MPH THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, SIZE P19570R14. TIRES SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
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
WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH/MOTOR FAILED.
WINDOWS FREEZE SHUT IN COLD WEATHER. CANNOT OPEN UNTIL CAR IS COMPLETELY WARMED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
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
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A REALLY BAD IMPACT. ALSO, SEAT BELT BUCKLES DID NOT LOCK PROPERLY.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED WHICH WAS REPLACED ON MAY 4, 1999.
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
ANY AND ALL PROBLEMS WITH 1993 DODGE SPIRIT,. NO SAFETYD EFECT LISTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BROUGHT MY TIRE TO A MECHANIC TO REPLACE A BENT RIM. HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIND A REPLACEMENT RIM AND BENT THE RIM BACK WITH A HAMMER. HOWEVER THE RIM STILL LOOKS UNSAFE. I TOOK A DIGITAL PHOTO AND WOULD LIKE TO SEND IT TO YOU. HOW DO I DO THAT. PLEASE TELL ME IF THE TIRE IS NOW SAFE. *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 .