1991 DODGE Spirit Problems

122

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

30 complaints

*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

Feb 13, 2003

Fire: 1

HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.*YH

Oct 19, 2001

HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.*YH

Oct 19, 2001

TWO MUFFLERS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED. *YH

Oct 19, 2001

CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER A LEAKAGE ON VEHICLE HAD FOUND OUT THAT HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN LEAKING DUE TO A CRACK. *AK THE DESIGN OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER'S INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATED THAT THERE WERE OTHER CONSUMERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME CYLINDER HEAD CRACK AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL IT. *YH

Feb 22, 2001

+ 25 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

14 complaints

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

Jan 09, 2003

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

Jun 07, 2000

THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. DLR REPLACED TRANSMISSION.

Sep 24, 1999

TRANMISSION WENT OUT, AND WHEN PUTTING THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE ANYWHERE.VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHIN THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Apr 13, 1999

DODGE SPIRIT SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION RECALL!! COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT!

Feb 07, 1999

+ 9 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

12 complaints

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

Oct 23, 1999

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

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

Mar 01, 1999

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG RESULTING IN CONSUMER INJURY.

Oct 20, 1998

Injuries: 1

VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG, CAUSING INJURY TO FACE.

Apr 10, 1998

Injuries: 1

THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED.

Oct 14, 1997

+ 7 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 complaints

THE IGNITION WIRES WERE REPLACED. *Y

Oct 19, 2001

PAINT IS PEELING CONSTANTLY IN CHUNKS,AND STEERING WHEEL AND SURROUNDING AREAS BECOME HOT WITH HEAT FROM ASSUMEABLY THE IGNITION.

Sep 18, 2000

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD MOVE, BUT NOT CATCH ANY GEAR. THIS WAS DUE TO BATTERY ACID LEAKING UNTO THE LEAKAGE CABLE FOR THE GEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE ACID LEAKING ONTO THE CABLE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID REPLACED THE CABLE. *AK

Sep 09, 1998

SMOKING STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Feb 05, 1998

Fire: 1

THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED A FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS HAPPEN RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED NEXT WEEK. *AK THE DEALER SAID TO BE THE WIRING HARNESS AS DEFECTIVE. *YH

Sep 17, 1997

Fire: 1

+ 6 more complaints for this component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

8 complaints

THE VEHICLE WOULD REV UP TO 2000 RPM POSSIBLY DUE TO IDLE SPEED MOTOR FAILURE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER THE IDLE SPEED MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *YH

Oct 19, 2001

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHENEVER IT WAS AT A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN /OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL GOING UNRESOLVED. (CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED). *AK

Mar 13, 2000

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN GOING AT SLOW SPEED, OFTEN WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *AK

Mar 26, 1998

VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE SUDDENLY DURING STOPS OR WHEN IDLING; EXCESSIVE BREAKING IS REQUIRED TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. *AK

Jul 31, 1997

WHILE DRIVING UP ON INCLINE, VEHICLE TOOK OFF;DRIVER FELT SURGE, AS IF BEING PUSHED;FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL;ENGINE KEPT ACCELERATING;BRAKES APPLIED;NO WARNING. *AK

Apr 24, 1996

+ 3 more complaints for this component

STRUCTURE

7 complaints

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

Jul 26, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

May 22, 2002

NO SUMMARY

Oct 19, 2000

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

PAINT IS PEELING FROM VEHICLE.

Apr 26, 1999

REAR CROSSMEMBER CRACKED. *AK

Sep 16, 1996

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SUSPENSION

6 complaints

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

Jul 15, 2002

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

Jul 11, 2000

REAR TRAILING SUSPENSION ARM BROKE AT WELD.

Jul 22, 1997

REAR TORSION BAR (AKA REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY) BECAME DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACING.

Jan 17, 1997

REAR TORSION BAR BECAME DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE.

Jan 17, 1997

+ 1 more complaint for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 complaints

ROTOR FAILED. *YH

Oct 19, 2001

BRAKES FAILED.

Oct 22, 1997

BRAKE PEDAL HITS BOTTOM DURING HEAVY BRAKING/PANIC STOPPING; NO WARNING; EXTENDED STOPPING; HIGH SPEED ON TURNPIKE, COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT. TT

Dec 11, 1995

VEHICLES BRAKING SYSTEM, W WHEEL DISC BRAKES HAVE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, ALSO SOFT PEDAL AND PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TT

Aug 07, 1995

ROTORS OVERHEATED, CAUSING ROTORS TO WARP/BRAKE FAILURE. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479612, 479613) *AW

Mar 17, 1995

+ 1 more complaint for this component

STEERING

6 complaints

POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH

Oct 19, 2001

POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH

Oct 19, 2001

POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH

Oct 19, 2001

ALARM SYSTEM FAILED.

Oct 22, 1997

POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE, LOST POWER STEERING. TT

Feb 05, 1996

+ 1 more complaint for this component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 complaints

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

Nov 18, 1999

Fire: 1

FUEL PUMP WENT OUT, VEHICLE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ,PLEASE DISCRIBE PROBLEM. TT

Nov 17, 1995

FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY IN FUEL TANK, OVER HEATED WIRES CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. TT

Aug 18, 1995

SEATS

3 complaints

HIT FROM THE REAR AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. *AK

Nov 19, 1996

Crash: 1

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

Aug 12, 1996

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

SEAT BACK RECLINED WHEN BOLT HOLDING SEAT BACK IN PLACE DISLODGED. *DSH

Nov 27, 1995

TIRES

2 complaints

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

Jan 28, 2002

FOUR TIRES FAILED (METRIC MICHELIN 195/70/14).

Oct 22, 1997

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

REPEATED TRANSMISSION REPAIRS & OIL LEAKS + HEAD REPLACEMENTS. *AK

Dec 22, 1999

SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AND THEN SUDDENLY STARTED AGAIN. ALSO REPLACED OUL PRESSURE SENSOR. *AK

Aug 29, 1997

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

PAINT IS PEELING FROM HOOD, ROOF AND FENDERS. OWNER TOLD THAT THIS IS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY.

Aug 24, 1998

REPLACED OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. *AK

Jun 21, 1995

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT DISENGAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Jul 15, 1996

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN LOCKED . TT

Nov 03, 1995

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

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

May 22, 2002

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

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

Dec 29, 2000

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

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

Jun 05, 2000

Fire: 1

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

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

May 23, 2000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

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.

Nov 03, 1999

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

DRIVER'S WINDOW MOTOR BURNT OUT.

Nov 06, 1996

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL

1 complaint

FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY FAILED DASH UNIT.

Sep 23, 1996

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

AIR CONDITION CONDENSOR CRACKED AND LEAKS FREON AND OIL. TT

Mar 09, 1995

⭐

4.8/5.0

35 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1991 DODGE Spirit have?

The 1991 DODGE Spirit currently has 122 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1991 DODGE Spirit?

The most common problems reported for the 1991 DODGE Spirit are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1991 DODGE Spirit problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1991 DODGE Spirit comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.