The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit spans 1981–1996 with 13 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1986, 1996, 1995 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1982, 1983. It delivers competitive fuel economy 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1996 across multiple generations.
Decode or check a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit by VIN
Enter a 17-digit VIN to decode this Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit — trim, engine, plant and full specs — and instantly pull its open recalls, safety ratings and original window sticker.
How to read a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit VIN — every digit explained
Every Rolls-Royce Silver 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. 4T1 = Toyota, built in the USA.
- VDS (4–8) — model line, body style, engine & restraint system.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built. H = 2017.
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Silver Spirit.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your Silver Spirit VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit have?
The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit has 13 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1996. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolts attaching the lower steering column to the intermediate steering coupling can contact the brake hydraulic system pipes located in the engine compartment.
Risk. This condition can lead to a brake hydraulic fluid leak and reduced braking performance.
Fix. Dealers will reposition the pipes to prevent contact between the pipes and bolts, and any damaged pipes will be replaced.
1995 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolts attaching the lower steering column to the intermediate steering coupling can contact the brake hydraulic system pipes located in the engine compartment.
Risk. This condition can lead to a brake hydraulic fluid leak and reduced braking performance.
Fix. Dealers will reposition the pipes to prevent contact between the pipes and bolts, and any damaged pipes will be replaced.
1994 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolts attaching the lower steering column to the intermediate steering coupling can contact the brake hydraulic system pipes located in the engine compartment.
Risk. This condition can lead to a brake hydraulic fluid leak and reduced braking performance.
Fix. Dealers will reposition the pipes to prevent contact between the pipes and bolts, and any damaged pipes will be replaced.
1990 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 2
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
What's wrong. The fuse in the rear window defroster circuit may blow due to the amperage load exceeding fuse capacity.
Risk. Rear stop lamps, except the high mounted stop lamp, would fail. There may not be sufficient stop signal warning to the following traffic which may cause an accident.
Fix. Install an additional fused circuit to handle the main stop lamps.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. There is insufficient clearance between the right front brake caliper hydraulic line and the engine oil cooler line. If the lines come in contact with each other, the chafing may damage the brake line and cause a fluid leak.
Risk. Hydraulic fluid leak could result in a loss of brakes with the potential for an accident.
Fix. Add a protective shield to prevent contact and replace any damaged hydraulic pipe.
1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. There is insufficient clearance between the right front brake caliper hydraulic line and the engine oil cooler line. If the lines come in contact with each other, the chafing may damage the brake line and cause a fluid leak.
Risk. Hydraulic fluid leak could result in a loss of brakes with the potential for an accident.
Fix. Add a protective shield to prevent contact and replace any damaged hydraulic pipe.
1987 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Bentley is recalling 14 my 1980-1982 bentley t2, my 1980-1987 continental, and mulsanne, my 1980-1982 rolls-royce silver shadow ii, my 1980 silver wraith ii, my 1980-1987 corniche, silver spirit and my 1981-1987 silver spur passenger vehicles. A fuel hose assembly, available as a replacement part, has been found to have a defect in the material specification of the rubber hose. The hose may degrade under certain operating conditions resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on november 24, 2008. Owners may contact bentley at 1-617-488-8500.
1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Bentley is recalling 14 my 1980-1982 bentley t2, my 1980-1987 continental, and mulsanne, my 1980-1982 rolls-royce silver shadow ii, my 1980 silver wraith ii, my 1980-1987 corniche, silver spirit and my 1981-1987 silver spur passenger vehicles. A fuel hose assembly, available as a replacement part, has been found to have a defect in the material specification of the rubber hose. The hose may degrade under certain operating conditions resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on november 24, 2008. Owners may contact bentley at 1-617-488-8500.
1985 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Bentley is recalling 14 my 1980-1982 bentley t2, my 1980-1987 continental, and mulsanne, my 1980-1982 rolls-royce silver shadow ii, my 1980 silver wraith ii, my 1980-1987 corniche, silver spirit and my 1981-1987 silver spur passenger vehicles. A fuel hose assembly, available as a replacement part, has been found to have a defect in the material specification of the rubber hose. The hose may degrade under certain operating conditions resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on november 24, 2008. Owners may contact bentley at 1-617-488-8500.
1984 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Bentley is recalling 14 my 1980-1982 bentley t2, my 1980-1987 continental, and mulsanne, my 1980-1982 rolls-royce silver shadow ii, my 1980 silver wraith ii, my 1980-1987 corniche, silver spirit and my 1981-1987 silver spur passenger vehicles. A fuel hose assembly, available as a replacement part, has been found to have a defect in the material specification of the rubber hose. The hose may degrade under certain operating conditions resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on november 24, 2008. Owners may contact bentley at 1-617-488-8500.
1983 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Bentley is recalling 14 my 1980-1982 bentley t2, my 1980-1987 continental, and mulsanne, my 1980-1982 rolls-royce silver shadow ii, my 1980 silver wraith ii, my 1980-1987 corniche, silver spirit and my 1981-1987 silver spur passenger vehicles. A fuel hose assembly, available as a replacement part, has been found to have a defect in the material specification of the rubber hose. The hose may degrade under certain operating conditions resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on november 24, 2008. Owners may contact bentley at 1-617-488-8500.
1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Bentley is recalling 14 my 1980-1982 bentley t2, my 1980-1987 continental, and mulsanne, my 1980-1982 rolls-royce silver shadow ii, my 1980 silver wraith ii, my 1980-1987 corniche, silver spirit and my 1981-1987 silver spur passenger vehicles. A fuel hose assembly, available as a replacement part, has been found to have a defect in the material specification of the rubber hose. The hose may degrade under certain operating conditions resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on november 24, 2008. Owners may contact bentley at 1-617-488-8500.
1981 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Bentley is recalling 14 my 1980-1982 bentley t2, my 1980-1987 continental, and mulsanne, my 1980-1982 rolls-royce silver shadow ii, my 1980 silver wraith ii, my 1980-1987 corniche, silver spirit and my 1981-1987 silver spur passenger vehicles. A fuel hose assembly, available as a replacement part, has been found to have a defect in the material specification of the rubber hose. The hose may degrade under certain operating conditions resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on november 24, 2008. Owners may contact bentley at 1-617-488-8500.
Best and worst years for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 16 tracked years, the worst years are 1986, 1996, 1995 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1982, 1983.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Best |
| 1982 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Best |
| 1983 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Best |
| 1984 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1985 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1986 Silver Spirit | 1 | Fuel/propulsion System | Avoid |
| 1987 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1988 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1989 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1990 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1991 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1992 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1993 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1994 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Average |
| 1995 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Avoid |
| 1996 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit problems?
The most-reported Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit problems are Fuel/propulsion System (1 reports) — out of 1 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:
Fuel/propulsion System 1 Read
Because of a rubber hose that feeds on the bottom of the fuel tank behind back seat, (very poor design) hose began leaking 24 gallons of gas while parked inside of garage which is inside of my house and nearly burned my house down. Fire department came to try and make sure it didn't ignite-investigated and they could not believe the design of it.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit specifications & dimensions
The 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Silver Spirit holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Rolls-Royce Silver 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit cost to own?
A Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | — | — |
| Year 2 | 70% | — | — |
| Year 3 | 61% | — | — |
| Year 4 | 53% | — | — |
| Year 5 | 46% | — | — |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Silver Spirit loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Silver 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Silver Spirit yet.
How many miles does a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit last?
A well-maintained Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Decode your Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1995 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1994 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1993 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | — |
| 1992 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | — |
| 1991 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | — |
| 1990 Silver Spirit | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 1989 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1988 Silver Spirit | 0 | — | — |
| 1987 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1986 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1985 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1984 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1983 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1982 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1981 Silver Spirit | 1 recall | — | — |
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 Silver Spirit?
By owner-complaint volume, 1986, 1996, 1995 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1983 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Silver Spirit have?
13 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1996. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Silver Spirit last?
A well-maintained Silver Spirit typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Silver Spirit reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Silver Spirit is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit warranty?
New Rolls-Royce 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 Rolls-Royce dealer.
Where is the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Silver Spirit's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Rolls-Royce may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Silver 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.