The Dodge Spirit spans 1989–1995 with 11 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1991, 1994, 1993 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1989, 1995, 1992. It delivers up to 25 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Dodge Spirit is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1989 to 1995 across multiple generations.
How to read a Dodge Spirit VIN — every digit explained
Every Dodge Spirit carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Dodge and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Spirit.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Spirit, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Dodge Spirit have?
The Dodge Spirit has 11 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1989–1995. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1994 Dodge Spirit recalls 1
Seat Belts:front:anchorage
What's wrong. THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORS (BUCKLE LOCK BARS) DO NOT MEET THE STATIC LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL, EXPOSING THE RESTRAINED OCCUPANTS TO A GREATER RISK OF INJURY.
Fix. THE TRAVELING SAFETY BELT LOCK BAR ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED ON THESE VEHICLES.
1992 Dodge Spirit recalls 1
Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
What's wrong. THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Risk. FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.
Fix. REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.
1991 Dodge Spirit recalls 3
Seat Belts:front:anchorage
What's wrong. FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
Risk. LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Fix. REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix. PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Risk. AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
Fix. REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.
1990 Dodge Spirit recalls 2
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
What's wrong. THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk. THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Fix. REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
Suspension
What's wrong. FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk. THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
1989 Dodge Spirit recalls 2
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
What's wrong. THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk. THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Fix. REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
Suspension
What's wrong. FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk. THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
Best and worst years for the Dodge Spirit
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 7 tracked years, the worst years are 1991, 1994, 1993 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1989, 1995, 1992.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Spirit | Power Train | Best | |
| 1990 Spirit | Power Train | Average | |
| 1991 Spirit | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1992 Spirit | Power Train | Best | |
| 1993 Spirit | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1994 Spirit | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1995 Spirit | Power Train | Best |
What are the most common Dodge Spirit problems?
The most-reported Dodge Spirit problems are Other (1 reports), Seats (21 reports) and Tires (12 reports) — out of 573 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Dodge Spirit specifications & dimensions
The 1995 Dodge Spirit measures 181″ long on a 104″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,758 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Dodge Spirit window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 181″ | 68″ | 54″ | 104″ | 2,758 lb |
| 1992 | 181″ | 68″ | 54″ | 103″ | 2,798 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Dodge Spirit cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Spirit holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 97 cu ft of passenger volume and 14 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Dodge Spirit tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Dodge Spirit get?
The Dodge Spirit returns up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,500/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1995 Dodge Spirit (3L 6-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Spirit | 19 | 24 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1994 Spirit | 18 | 24 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1993 Spirit | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1992 Spirit | 18 | 23 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1991 Spirit | 18 | 24 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1990 Spirit | 17 | 24 | $3,300 | 468 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1989 Spirit | 16 | 24 | $3,300 | 468 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 1995 Dodge Spirit (2.5L 4-cyl) gets 22 mpg combined and costs about $2,850/yr to fuel, emitting 404 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Spirit | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1994 Spirit | 21 | 27 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1993 Spirit | 22 | 29 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1992 Spirit | 20 | 29 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1991 Spirit | 21 | 31 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1990 Spirit | 21 | 29 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1989 Spirit | 21 | 31 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Spirit stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Spirit's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Dodge Spirit have? Power & range
The Dodge Spirit is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Dodge Spirit cost to own?
A Dodge Spirit holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used Spirit is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Spirit loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Spirit ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Dodge Spirit safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Spirit yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Dodge Spirit last?
A well-maintained Dodge Spirit typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Dodge Spirit’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Spirit’s VIN free →All Dodge Spirit model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Dodge Spirit — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Spirit | 1 recall | — | |
| 1994 Spirit | 1 recall | — | |
| 1993 Spirit | 1 recall | — | |
| 1992 Spirit | 1 recall | — | |
| 1991 Spirit | 3 recalls | — | |
| 1990 Spirit | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1989 Spirit | 2 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Spirit?
By owner-complaint volume, 1991, 1994, 1993 drew the most reports. 1989, 1995, 1992 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Spirit have?
11 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1989–1995. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Dodge recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Spirit get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Spirit last?
A well-maintained Spirit typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Spirit reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Spirit is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Dodge Spirit warranty?
New Dodge models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Dodge dealer.
Where is the Dodge Spirit made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Spirit's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Dodge may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a Spirit weigh?
The Spirit's curb weight is around 2,758 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the Spirit have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.