The Dodge Spirit has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1989–1994. On average a defect was admitted 6.17 years after the car was built, the slowest took 19 years. The most recalled system is Seat Belts (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 323 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Dodge Spirit
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Seat Belts 2 Read
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
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
Steering 1 Read
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
Air Bags 1 Read
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 Read
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
Suspension 1 Read
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…
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
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…
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
Engine And Engine Cooling 1 Read
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
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
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 6.17 years |
| Slowest campaign | 19 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 33.3% |
| Campaigns on record | 7 |
Which Spirit years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Seat Belts | |
| 1992 | Steering | |
| 1991 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1990 | Suspension | |
| 1989 | Suspension |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Dodge Spirit have?
7 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1989–1994. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Spirit still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 6.17 years, and the slowest campaign came 19 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.