1995 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 1995 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
- Electrical613.6%
- Brakes511.4%
- Powertrain (other)49.1%
- Transmission49.1%
- Suspension49.1%
- Engine49.1%
- Airbags36.8%
- Fuel system24.5%
- Body & structure24.5%
- Driver assistance24.5%
- Interior & seats24.5%
- Seat belts24.5%
- Steering24.5%
- Heating & air conditioning12.3%
- Visibility12.3%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS CHANGING LANES INTO MY LANE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND PUSHED ON THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE HORN DID NOT SOUND. AFTER THE INCICENT, I REMEMBERED THAT THE HORN IS A SMALL BUTTON IN AN INCONVENIENT PLACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD OF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE IT BELONGS AND WHERE ALL AMERICAN DRIVERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO PUSH. THE OTHER DRIVER NEVER REALIZED I WAS THERE AND COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ME. WITH A WORKING HORN IN THE PROPER PLACE, THE OTHER CAR MAY HAVE STOPPED COMING INTO MY LANE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY PUBLICITY BY DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR HORNS OR ANY PLANS TO FIX THE STEERING WHEELS.*AK
MY CARS AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON AND CAUGHT FIRE TO MY IGNITION SWITCH. I WAS OUT OVER $600 FOR REPAIRS. I KNOW YOU HAVE RECALLED SOME 1995 DODGE CARS AND WANT TO KNOW IF MINE HAS THE SAME PARTS ON THE AIR BAG? PLS ADVISE VIA E-MAIL. THANKS. JOANNE RAMIREZ. *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
DRIVER ALERTED TO A PROBLEM BY HONKING OF OTHER DRIVERS, AND TOLD GASOLINE WAS STREAMING FROM THE TANK AREA. DROVE HOME, FOUND THAT THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN MOUNTED ONE ABOVE THE OTHER (RIGID VS. MOVING PARTS) AND THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET HAD ABRADED BOTH FUEL LINES, AND ONE OF THEM COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE INSIDE. LUCKILY NO SPARK FROM THE FRICTION OCCURRED OR I WOULD NOT BE SENDING THIS REPORT. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. I WILL WAIT FOR A FEW DAYS FOR YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, BUT I WILL HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED TO GET TO WORK. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP.
THIS CAR WAS A LEMON...DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR AND THEN SOLD THIS TO ANOTHER PERSON...I RECEIVED TWO PARKING TICKETS ON THIS CAR WHICH I HAVE NOT HAD IN MY POSSESSION SINCE JULY AND THE RESGISTATION IS STILL IN MY NAME THE CAR HAD MANY DEFECTS AND DEALER REFUSED TO REFUND FULL AMOUNT PAID IN CASH...I WAS DOUBLE TEAMED AND EMOTIONAL STRESSED BY THE TACTICS THAT THE SALEMEN USED....I KNOW THE CAR WAS RESOLD AND IT WAS A LEMON ...IS THERE ANY WAY TO STOP THIS KIND OF TREATMENT TO CONSUMERS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *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
I HAVE A 1995 DODGE SPIRIT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO THERE STARTED TO BE A SHAKE ON THE FRONT END. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID ITS SOMETHING WITH THE AXLE. I TALKED TO A FRIEND TONIGHT WHO HAS A 1995 ACCLAIM, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE SAME VEHICLE JUST A DIFFERENT NAME PUT ON THE BACK.. HE HAD THAT SAME PROMBLEM A YEAR AGO.. TALKED TO ANOTHER FRIEND WHO HAS A 1995 DODGE SPIRIT. HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 6 MONTHS AGO. TALKED TO SOMEONE WHO HAD A 1994 DODGE SPIRIT .. SHE NEVER HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT.. IM THINKING THAT IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE FRONT AXLE OF THE CAR.
REAR AXLE INNER TUBE HAS 8 INCH CRACK. *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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION OVERHAULS DUE TO FAILURES CAUSING SLIPPING.
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
1995 DODGE SPIRIT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE INNER TORSION BAR.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WELDED, BUT IT DID NOT HOLD FOR LONG AND NOW THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JB
1995 DODGE SPIRIT HAS A DEFECTIVE TRAILING ARM ASSEMBLY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TRAILING ARM WAS WELDED. THE WELD DID NOT HOLD LONG AND BROKE CAUSING A LOUD POP WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE PROBLEM IS A COMMON DEFECT. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR WAS A LEMON...DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR AND THEN SOLD THIS TO ANOTHER PERSON...I RECEIVED TWO PARKING TICKETS ON THIS CAR WHICH I HAVE NOT HAD IN MY POSSESSION SINCE JULY AND THE RESGISTATION IS STILL IN MY NAME THE CAR HAD MANY DEFECTS AND DEALER REFUSED TO REFUND FULL AMOUNT PAID IN CASH...I WAS DOUBLE TEAMED AND EMOTIONAL STRESSED BY THE TACTICS THAT THE SALEMEN USED....I KNOW THE CAR WAS RESOLD AND IT WAS A LEMON ...IS THERE ANY WAY TO STOP THIS KIND OF TREATMENT TO CONSUMERS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
WHEN DRIVING 70MPH RADIATOR WOULD OVERHEAT & WOULD MELT THE OVERFLOW TANK. THE SPOUT WOULD THEN MELT CLOSE & NO PRESSURE WOULD RELEASE. ENGINE WOULD THEN BLOW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING 20MPH AND CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING OVER RAIL ROAD CROSSING NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED.*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
THE VEHICLE LEAKED GASOLINE DUE TO FUEL LINE BEING ABRADED BY FRICTION. *YH
DRIVER ALERTED TO A PROBLEM BY HONKING OF OTHER DRIVERS, AND TOLD GASOLINE WAS STREAMING FROM THE TANK AREA. DROVE HOME, FOUND THAT THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN MOUNTED ONE ABOVE THE OTHER (RIGID VS. MOVING PARTS) AND THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET HAD ABRADED BOTH FUEL LINES, AND ONE OF THEM COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE INSIDE. LUCKILY NO SPARK FROM THE FRICTION OCCURRED OR I WOULD NOT BE SENDING THIS REPORT. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. I WILL WAIT FOR A FEW DAYS FOR YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, BUT I WILL HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED TO GET TO WORK. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN GOING OVER A POT HOLE OR A BUMP THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN LEFT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS REAR CROSSMEMBER. *AK
THE REAR CROSS MEMBER BROKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *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
AFTER MAKING A COMPLETE STOP APPLIED THE FOOT TO THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PULL. HAD TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR DOWN TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO PICK UP. *AK
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
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
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING WIRES WAS NOTICED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SHORT IN THE UNDER THE DASH WIRING THAT CAUSED A FIRE. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE AND WENT INTO RECLINING POSITION WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE. *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 SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TWICE. *DH
LAP BELT BECAME UNLATCHED ON ITS OWN WHILE SECURING A CHILD SEAT INVOLVING A SUDDEN STOP. TT
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
ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS CHANGING LANES INTO MY LANE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND PUSHED ON THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE HORN DID NOT SOUND. AFTER THE INCICENT, I REMEMBERED THAT THE HORN IS A SMALL BUTTON IN AN INCONVENIENT PLACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD OF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE IT BELONGS AND WHERE ALL AMERICAN DRIVERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO PUSH. THE OTHER DRIVER NEVER REALIZED I WAS THERE AND COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ME. WITH A WORKING HORN IN THE PROPER PLACE, THE OTHER CAR MAY HAVE STOPPED COMING INTO MY LANE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY PUBLICITY BY DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR HORNS OR ANY PLANS TO FIX THE STEERING WHEELS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING INTO DRIVEWAY, STEERING COLUMN IN AREA OF DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING, DISCONNECTED POSITIVE LINES TO AVOID FIRE. *AK
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 DRIVING LONG DISTANCE THERE IS A LEAK IN AIR CONDITIONING UNDER THE DASH ON DRIVER'S SIDE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*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
AFTER RAIN AND ICE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INOPERATIVE .TOOK TO DEALER AND HE SAID HE HAD MANY PEOPLE COME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *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 .