1994 Dodge SPIRIT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 51 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 9.8% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.8% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 7.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Suspension:Rear | 6 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Suspension:Rear: 6; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Seat Belts: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 47 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 12; 2000: 9; 2001: 6; 2002: 5; 2003: 4; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10047688 · 2003-11-27 (November 27, 2003)
SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS USED CAR FROM A DEALER IN 1999, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SLIP. WE COMPLAINED, BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. IN 2001, WE TOOK THE CAR TO YET ANOTHER DODGE DEALER. AT THIS TIME, THE CAR HAD 80,000 MILES ON IT. THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED A COMPLETE OVERHAUL. IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY, THE PRICE THEY QUOTED WAS $1,800. SO NOW, WE DRIVE A CAR WITH A HORRIBLE TRANSMISSION THAT SLIPS UPON TAKE OFF AND HARD ACCELERATION WHILE PASSING. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047690 · 2003-11-27 (November 27, 2003)
FOR OVER A YEAR, WE KEPT HEARING A METAL ON METAL THUNKING NOISE. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT. TWO DAYS AGO, WHEN RETURNING HOME, WE HEARD A LOUD METALLIC THUNKING NOISE THAT WAS MUCH WORSE THAN PREVIOUSLY HEARD. IT SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE DRAGGING A TAIL PIPE OR MUFFLER. YET, WE FOUND NOTHING UNDER THE CAR. WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE JACKED UP THE CAR TO SEE IF WE WOULD FIND THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. THE DODGE SPIRIT IS A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE THAT USES A SOLID REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONSISTS OF A METAL "V" SHAPED CHANNEL CROSSMEMBER …
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479617 · 1995-05-27 (May 27, 1995)
CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. (2ND VEHICLE ON 480806/479618) *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889379 · 2001-05-30 (May 30, 2001)
CONSUMER WAS SLOWING DOWN AND VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, TOOK A LOOK, DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING, AND CONTINUED DRIVING. CONSUMER TRAVELED AT 65MPH, THE FASTER SHE DROVE LESS IT SEEMED TO WIGGLE. CONSUMER WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT, AND IT WAS LEFT OUTER FRONT HALF SHAFT. PART WAS WIGGLING AND RUBBING METAL ON METAL. MECHANIC STATED IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, LIKE BRAKE PAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 876346 · 2000-12-12 (December 12, 2000)
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING AT ANY SPEED. DODGE FINALLY SAID CO PILOT SHOULD BE INSTALLED, ADMITTING THERE IS A PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 882986 · 2001-03-14 (March 14, 2001)
VEHICLE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH SEALS ON ENGINE GASKET. THEY WERE LEAKING, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THEM 3 OTHER TIMES WITH NO EXPLANATION WHY IT KEPT HAPPENING. OTHER PROBLEM IS WITH PASSENGER DOOR RUSTING ON INSIDE AT HINGES. DOOR IS ABOUT TO COME OFF. DEALER EXPECTED CONSUMER TO OIL DOOR PERIODICALLY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486307 · 1995-05-16 (May 16, 1995)
POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742827 · 2001-03-21 (March 21, 2001)
I WAS TAKING MY GRANDSON TO AUBURN, NY WHEN HE NOTICE A WHITE WISP COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, SHUT CAR OFF..WALKED TO A HOUSE TO CALL FOR HELP. THIS CAR WAS REPAIRED AT FOX DODGE, AUBURN, N.Y. I CALLED CHRYSLER CORP. AND KAREN AUTHORIZED PAYMENT FOR THE CLOCK SPRING, BUT I HAD TO PAY THE LABOR ON INVOICE #CHCS17948 IN THE AMOUNT OF $169.12. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE PAID FOR TOTAL REPAIRS OF THE DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005953 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
FUEL SMELL SEEPS ONTO THE CAR WHEN HEAT IS ON. DEALER STATES THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR IS LEAKING, BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 881552 · 2001-02-27 (February 27, 2001)
FUEL TANK WAS RUSTY AND LEAKING, HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 881552 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 987183 · 1996-08-27 (August 27, 1996)
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS FLUTTER ERRATICALLY, COULD RESULT IN FALSE READING OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT/A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITHIN DASH HARNSS, CAUSING DASH LIGHTS/TRUNK LIGHTS/ RADIO/BATTERY TO FAIL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 987183 at NHTSA ↗