The most-reported Spirit run is 1B3XA4637PF (1993 builds) with 5 complaints, 3.6× the typical run. Power train problems make up 21% of reports; 1994 is the worst model year at 1.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for Spirit model years 1989–1994.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Dodge Spirit has 224 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Spirit complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B3XA4637PF•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| 1B3XA7635LF•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 3B3AA46K3ST•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1B3XA46K8MF•••••• | 1991 | 1 | — | |
| 1B3AA4634RF•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1B3XA4630NF•••••• | 1992 | — | — | |
| 1B3XA46K4MF•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| 1B3XA7637LF•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — | |
| 1B3XA4632PF•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| 1B3XA46K6MF•••••• | 1991 | 1 | — | |
| 1B3XA46K5MF•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| 1B3XA46K4PF•••••• | 1993 | — | — |
Each of the other 212 Spirit runs has 3 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Dodge Spirit the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 1994 car draws 1.7 complaints per run, a 1992 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 27 | 20 | 1 | |
| 1994 | 66 | 39 | 7 | |
| 1993 | 61 | 42 | 4 | |
| 1992 | 43 | 38 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 70 | 45 | 9 | |
| 1990 | 41 | 28 | 4 | |
| 1989 | 15 | 12 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1994 at 1.7 complaints per run; lightest is 1992 at 1.1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Dodge Spirit owners report: Power Train, 57 of 323 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | — | 15 | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 13 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | 1 | |
| Fuel System | — | 2 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the Dodge Spirit; the 6 below cover build years 1989 to 1994. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 08E033000 | Suspension | 1989–1990 |
| 89V237000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 1989–1990 |
| 94V023000 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 1994 |
| 92V015000 | Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar | 1992 |
| 90V194000 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive | 1991 |
| 90V162000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper | 1991 |
The Spirit against its rivals
The Spirit draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the BMW 535i 2.1 and the Chrysler LeBaron 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Spirit | 323 | 224 | 8.7% | |
| BMW 535i | 286 | 134 | 4.9% | |
| Chrysler LeBaron | 484 | 321 | 10.7% |
How serious were they
Of the 323 reports on the Dodge Spirit, 8.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Dodge Spirit | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 323 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 28 (8.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 21 (6.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 50% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Dodge Spirit share of that is 323 complaints over 224 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Dodge Spirit VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 323 NHTSA complaints from 224 Spirit runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Spirit production run has the most complaints?
1B3XA4637PF, a 1993 build, with 5 complaints. The typical Spirit run has 1.4.
Which Spirit years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1994 is heaviest at 1.7 complaints per run and 1992 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Spirit get more complaints than the BMW 535i?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the Spirit against 2.1 for the BMW 535i.
How many Spirit complaints involve a crash?
8.7% of 323 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 21 involved a fire.
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