Dodge SPIRIT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
272 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
64,420 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 272 complaints (8.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 29 | 10.7% |
| Engine operation | 21 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 6.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 23 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 23 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 19 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 18 |
| Suspension:Rear | 18 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 10 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 23; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 23; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 19; Electrical System:Ignition: 18; Suspension:Rear: 18; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 15; Vehicle Speed Control: 14; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 10
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 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 262 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 | 102 |
| 1996 | 56 |
| 2000 | 45 |
| 2001 | 26 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
1995: 102; 1996: 56; 2000: 45; 2001: 26; 2002: 21; 2003: 7; 2004: 7; 2005: 4; 2008: 1; 2013: 1; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 29 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 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 974710 · 1995-11-07 (November 7, 1995)
THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED NEED TO BE REPLACED THE BRAKE HOSE ON BOTH ARE CRACKED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863775 · 2000-06-19 (June 19, 2000)
IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAILING AGAIN AFTER BEING REPLACED 3-4 YEARS AGO. ALSO, WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY, CAUSING HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR SWITCH NOT TO OPERATE/ AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY ON THE DASHBOARD/,BRAKE PADS FELL OFF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WITHOUT ANY WARNING/ GEAR SELECTOR FAILED, DID NOT SHOW THE CORRECT GEAR, AND REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF. PARTS FOR WIRING HARNESS PURCHASED AT DEALER. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863775 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479618 · 1995-05-27 (May 27, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480207 · 1995-02-01 (February 1, 1995)
COMPUTER MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487282 · 1995-10-22 (October 22, 1995)
STEERING COLUMN OVERHEATS TO THE POINT OF MELTING PLASTIC. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9001728 · 2000-08-11 (August 11, 2000)
WHEN AIR CONDITION IS ON HIGH THE STEERING COLUMN GOT HOT AND BURNED THE WIRE THAT INDICATES NO BRAKES. ALSO IT HAS MELTED THE COVER BELOW THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9001728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484326 · 1995-07-14 (July 14, 1995)
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE/1ST GEAR OR LOW/AT TIMES REMAINED STUCK IN PARK, ALSO BUCKED VIOLENTLYWHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550897 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THREE TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN LESS THAN 85,000 MILES. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751117 · 2001-08-25 (August 25, 2001)
CAR WAS REPAIRED BY SELLER DUE TO MELTED WIRES, SELLER CLAIMED I BYPASSED FUSEABLE LINK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHICH I DON'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT CAR ELECT. COMPONENTS. MR. ROBERT'S MECHANIC REWIRED SYSTEM & REPLACED FUEL PUMP IN TANK 1 MONTH EARLIER FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY.AFTER FIRE I TOOK NUMEROUS PICTURES OF ENGINE & WIRING THAT HIS MECHANIC HAD DONE REWIRING TO. THERE WAS NUMEROUS WIRES CONNECTED TO POSITIVE TERMINAL THAT WERE NOT THERE PREVIOUSLY,THEREWAS A LOUD BANG & THERE WERE FLAMES EXTRUDING FROM UNDER THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975483 · 1995-11-27 (November 27, 1995)
VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND GAS TANK CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE TRUNK NEAR REAR SEAT WAS ON FLAMES.THIS OCCURED WITH NO WARNING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975483 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 3; 1992: 1; 1993: 0; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1998: 0; 2002: 0