1991 DODGE SPIRIT Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
*OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT* THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. FUNCTIONAL DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE ENGINE AND UNDER CARRIAGE AREAS. *JG *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE SWAY BAR BROKE. THE SWAY BAR BROKE AGAIN AFTER WELDING IT. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT ENTIRE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY BE REPLACED. *TT *NLM
THE PAINT ON THE CAR'S HOOD BEGAN TO CRACK AND PEEL 4 YEARS AFTER THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTED CASES AND STILL CHRYSLER/DODGE ACKNOWLEDGES ANY WRONG DOING. IT WAS THEIR PAINTING PROCESS THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN NOT THE THOUSANDS OF LATE 1980'S AND EARLY 1990'S DODGE ...
WHILE DRIVING OVER A STONEY ROAD AT 10MPH, THE ANTI SWAY BAR BROKE.*AK AFTER DRIVNG OVER FRESHLY LAID GRAVEL WHICH WAS DEEP IN SOME AREAS, THE VEHICLE STARTED EMITTING A HIGH PITCHED NOISE CHARACTERISTIC OF A BROKEN ANTI SWAY BAR. THIS BAR WAS WELDED AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR BUT LATER BROKE AGAIN....
HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGED FROM HEAT OF WEATHER AND CONSUMER CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHTS ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC AND HEAT HAS BLURRED THE LIGHTS. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 25 TO 30 MPH, CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE. GOT OUT AND CHECKED RIGHT REAR TIRE WHICH HAD SHREDDED. STEELBELTS WERE SHOWING. 1991, DODGE, SPIRIT, TIRE SIZE P195/70R14, DOT# HHHD514X25.*AK MICHELIN TREADWARE 310 TRACTION A M AND S TUBULAR. *MJ
THE VEHICLE WOULD REV UP TO 2000 RPM POSSIBLY DUE TO IDLE SPEED MOTOR FAILURE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER THE IDLE SPEED MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *YH
HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.*YH
HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.*YH
HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.*YH
HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.*YH
ROTOR FAILED. *YH
THE IGNITION WIRES WERE REPLACED. *Y
TWO MUFFLERS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED. *YH
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED. *YH
CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER A LEAKAGE ON VEHICLE HAD FOUND OUT THAT HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN LEAKING DUE TO A CRACK. *AK THE DESIGN OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER'S INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATED THAT THERE WERE OTHER CONSUMERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME CYLINDER HEAD CRACK AND THE MANUF...
WHEN I USE MY A/C THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN BEGANTO GET HOT, SO HOT THAT IT HAS MELTED THE STEERING COLUMN COVER. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SWITCH, $150.00 LATER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXSITS. I WENT...
WHEN I USE MY A/C THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN BEGANTO GET HOT, SO HOT THAT IT HAS MELTED THE STEERING COLUMN COVER. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SWITCH, $150.00 LATER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXSITS. I WENT...
WHEN I USE MY A/C THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN BEGANTO GET HOT, SO HOT THAT IT HAS MELTED THE STEERING COLUMN COVER. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SWITCH, $150.00 LATER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXSITS. I WENT...
TWICE NOW OIL PAN HAS BEEN DAMAGED BECAUSE IT IS TOO LOW. ONCE IT WAS DAMAGED GOING ON A COUNTRY ROAD AND SCRAPEING THE CROWN IN THE ROAD AND CAUSING THE OIL PAN TO LEAK. ANOTHER TIME IN THE SNOW WE HIT AN ICE BALL FROM THE CAR INFRONT OF US CAUSING A HUGE DENT IN THE OIL PAN. THE OIL PAN IS ROUG...
NO SUMMARY
PAINT IS PEELING CONSTANTLY IN CHUNKS,AND STEERING WHEEL AND SURROUNDING AREAS BECOME HOT WITH HEAT FROM ASSUMEABLY THE IGNITION.
VEHICLE HAS A BROKEN TRAILING ARM ON THE REAR SUSPENSION, CAUSING A RATTLING NOISE. CONSUMER HAD TO BUY COMPLETE ASSEMBLY. STABILIZER BAR DEFECT IS CAUSING PROBLEMS. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REPAIR/REPLACE IT, BUT OWNER NOT SURE IF NEW ONE WILL BE BETTER. *AK *ML
CONSUMER HEARD METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW AXLE ASSEMBLY BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT WELD IT BACK TOGETHER. IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THREE DODGE DEALERSHIP HAD NO CLUES AS TO WHAT T...
REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY THE DEALER TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM/DEFECT HAVE NOT EVER ACTUALLY FIXED IT--IT KEEPS REOCCURRING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY THE DEALER TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM/DEFECT HAVE NOT EVER ACTUALLY FIXED IT--IT KEEPS REOCCURRING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO TRAVEL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO TRAVEL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHENEVER IT WAS AT A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN /OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL GOING UNRESOLVED. (CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED). *AK
REPEATED TRANSMISSION REPAIRS & OIL LEAKS + HEAD REPLACEMENTS. *AK
REPEATED TRANSMISSION REPAIRS & OIL LEAKS + HEAD REPLACEMENTS. *AK
DUE TO DESIGN FLAW TIMING BELT BROKE ON NINE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE LAST 4 YEARS. DEALER CAN NOT DETERMINE WHAT'S CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER PARKED CAR AND WHILE STILL SITTING IN CAR STARTED TO FEEL VERY STRONG HEAT AND CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. CONSUMER BELIEVES FUEL LINE LEAK MAY HAVE STARTED THE FIRE. *AK
THE FIRST TIME I FILLED THE TANK THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT RAN GOO IN THE 39 DAYS I HAD IT, APPART FROM BEING HESITANT TO CHANGE GEAR AT TIMES. ON SUNDAY WHILE TAKING MY KIDS ON A TRIP TO GREAT ADVENTURE,I WAS JUST OVER THE BETSY ROSS BRIDGE WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE THROUGH MY REAR VIEW. I HURRIEDLY PUL...
THE FIRST TIME I FILLED THE TANK THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT RAN GOO IN THE 39 DAYS I HAD IT, APPART FROM BEING HESITANT TO CHANGE GEAR AT TIMES. ON SUNDAY WHILE TAKING MY KIDS ON A TRIP TO GREAT ADVENTURE,I WAS JUST OVER THE BETSY ROSS BRIDGE WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE THROUGH MY REAR VIEW. I HURRIEDLY PUL...
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TIMING BELT FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSS ALL POWER WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY. *YC
TIMING BELT BREAKS WHEN OPERATING AT 55-60 MPH IN 5TH GEAR WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, ON 7 OCCASIONS EXPERIENCED FAILURE. MJS
I TRIED TO STEER AWAY FROM A CRASH BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT. MY RIGHT ARM WAS THEREFORE IN THE 12:00 POSITION ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND THREW MY RIGHT ARM INTO THE WINDSHIELD SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND MY ELBOW KNOCKED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OFF OF TH...
THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. DLR REPLACED TRANSMISSION.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES AND WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY SON WAS DRIVING AND HAD HIS DOG IN THE CAR GOING ON A CAMPING TRIP. HE BARELY GOT THE CAR PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND GOT THE DOG OUT BEFORE THE...
PAINT IS PEELING FROM VEHICLE.
TRANMISSION WENT OUT, AND WHEN PUTTING THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE ANYWHERE.VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHIN THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. DRIVER'S AIRBAG CAME OUT, BUT DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES AND BURNING OF MITTENS AND COAT. *AK
CAR WAS SITTING AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPT. DID NOT LIST A CAUSE FOR THE FIRE.
DODGE SPIRIT SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION RECALL!! COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT!
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG RESULTING IN CONSUMER INJURY.
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD MOVE, BUT NOT CATCH ANY GEAR. THIS WAS DUE TO BATTERY ACID LEAKING UNTO THE LEAKAGE CABLE FOR THE GEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE ACID LEAKING ONTO THE CABLE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID REPLACED THE CABLE. *AK
PAINT IS PEELING FROM HOOD, ROOF AND FENDERS. OWNER TOLD THAT THIS IS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY.
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG, CAUSING INJURY TO FACE.
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN GOING AT SLOW SPEED, OFTEN WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *AK
CRACKED ENGINE HEAD, CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK. *AK
TIMING BELT DETERIORATED/FAILED DUE TO COOLANT LEAK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
SMOKING STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH.
BRAKES FAILED.
TIMING BELT AND FAN BELT FAILED.
TIMING BELT AND FAN BELT FAILED.
HEAD GASKET VALVE AND WATER PUMP FAILED.
HEAD GASKET VALVE AND WATER PUMP FAILED.
ALARM SYSTEM FAILED.
FOUR TIRES FAILED (METRIC MICHELIN 195/70/14).
THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED.
THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED A FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS HAPPEN RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED NEXT WEEK. *AK THE DEALER SAID TO BE THE WIRING HARNESS AS DEFEC...
SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AND THEN SUDDENLY STARTED AGAIN. ALSO REPLACED OUL PRESSURE SENSOR. *AK
SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AND THEN SUDDENLY STARTED AGAIN. ALSO REPLACED OUL PRESSURE SENSOR. *AK
DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD & TURNED VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED VEHICLE & DROVE A WHILE; VEHICLE STALLED OUT AGAIN. CALLED AAA & DID NOT FIND PROBLEM. FOLLOWED A WHILE; NO STALLING TILL TRUCK LEFT. TOOK TO DEALER; ON DIAGNOSTIC & NOTHING FOUND. VEHICLE WAS...
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE SUDDENLY DURING STOPS OR WHEN IDLING; EXCESSIVE BREAKING IS REQUIRED TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. *AK
REAR TRAILING SUSPENSION ARM BROKE AT WELD.
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG.
ENGINE HEAD FAILED 4TIMES.
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG, CAUSING BURNS TO DRIVER'S JAW/CHEST.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION.
GEARS CAN BE SHIFTED WITHOUT KEYS BEING IN IGNITION SWITCH (NO INTERLOCK SYSTEM), THIS DESIGN ALLOWED DRIVER TO ACCIDENTALLY LEAVE GEAR IN DRIVE AND EXIT VEHICLE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
REAR TORSION BAR (AKA REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY) BECAME DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACING.
REAR TORSION BAR BECAME DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE.
ENGINE GASKET KEEPS BLOWING AND WARPED THE ENGINE HEAD . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
HIT FROM THE REAR AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. *AK
OIL PAN REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAK.
TIMING BELT FAILED.
RIGHT REAR MOTOR MOUNT FAILED.
DRIVER'S WINDOW MOTOR BURNT OUT.
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED TWICE.
TRANSAXLE FAILED.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
SWAY BAR/TRAILING ARM CRACKED.
TIMING BELT FAILED BEFORE/AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY FAILED DASH UNIT.
REAR CROSSMEMBER CRACKED. *AK
VEHICLE'S IGNITION SYSTEM ELECTRCAL WIRING SHORTED AND BURNED UP.CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR RELEASE KEY FROM IGNITION.*AK
VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AT 3:00 POSITION, VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE, AND WENT INTO RECLINING POSITION , CAUSING SEAT BACK FAILURE*AK
VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AT 3:00 POSITION, VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE, AND WENT INTO RECLINING POSITION , CAUSING SEAT BACK FAILURE*AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP PRIOR TO DOWNSHIFTING. *AK
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT DISENGAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED THREE TIME , PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING UP ON INCLINE, VEHICLE TOOK OFF;DRIVER FELT SURGE, AS IF BEING PUSHED;FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL;ENGINE KEPT ACCELERATING;BRAKES APPLIED;NO WARNING. *AK
TRANSAXLE FAILED. *DSH
OTHER: AIR BAG PROBLEMS. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) (FOURTH VEHICLE ON 503129, 601422, 601423,) *DH
SERPENTINE BELT FAILS DUE TO DEBRIS COLLECTING BETWEENT BELT AND PULLEY. ALL OPERATION OF VEHICLE INTERRUPTED AND SHUT DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
SERPENTINE BELT FAILS DUE TO DEBRIS COLLECTING BETWEENT BELT AND PULLEY. ALL OPERATION OF VEHICLE INTERRUPTED AND SHUT DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE, LOST POWER STEERING. TT
STEERING TIE ROD STRIPED AND PULLED OUT OF WHEEL BASE ASSEMBLY. TT
BRAKE PEDAL HITS BOTTOM DURING HEAVY BRAKING/PANIC STOPPING; NO WARNING; EXTENDED STOPPING; HIGH SPEED ON TURNPIKE, COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT. TT
SEAT BACK RECLINED WHEN BOLT HOLDING SEAT BACK IN PLACE DISLODGED. *DSH
FUEL PUMP WENT OUT, VEHICLE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ,PLEASE DISCRIBE PROBLEM. TT
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN LOCKED . TT
DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS, RESULTING IN POOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. TT *SLC
AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON. *SD
PURCHASE CAR USED HAD IT A MONTH AND A HALF THE CAR BROKE DOWN THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . TT
FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY IN FUEL TANK, OVER HEATED WIRES CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. TT
UPON USING VEHICLE AFTER HOT START, VEHICLE PERFORMS ERRATIC W/STALLING AND HESITATION. TT
REAR CROSS MEMBER CRACK AT 50,000 MILES. TT
VEHICLES BRAKING SYSTEM, W WHEEL DISC BRAKES HAVE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, ALSO SOFT PEDAL AND PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TT
AT 19,000 MILES THE TIMING BELT HAS GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
REPLACED OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. *AK
REPLACED SPEEDOMETER SENSOR.
EVERY SIX MONTH WHEN COMING OFF THE EXIT CAR STALL. TT
VEHICLES DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. TT
AUTO-TRAN: SNAP RINGS BROKE; TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR; DOES NOT SHIFT AS INTENDED; SPEED 55 MPH; REPLACED; PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. TT
THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE DAMAGE DONE DUE TO ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO PURCHASE BY OWNER. TT
TIMING BELT FAILED TWICE. *AW
AIR CONDITION CONDENSOR CRACKED AND LEAKS FREON AND OIL. TT
INABILITY TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH. THIS IS THE FIFTH INCIDENT. TT
HAD A FRONTAL COLLISION, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
DISTRIBUTOR COIL WIRE SENDS WRONG MESSAGE TO COMPUTER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO INTERMITTENTLY STALL. *AW
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. TT
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING. TT
VEHICLE PARKED, PUT INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, IMPACT 1:00 POSITION, SPEED UNKNOWN. TT
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. *AK
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING ACCIDENT. *AK
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED FROM A PARKED POSITION AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. TT