1991 Dodge Spirit
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Spirit › 1991
These records cover every 1991 Dodge Spirit. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1991 Dodge Spirit. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
Latch may open during accident or sudden stop, exposingseat occupant to increased risk of injury.
Remedy
Replace buckle latch engagement.
The two air bag system front impact sensors may not be secured to their mounting brackets.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Air bag will not deploy in a frontal collision if thefront impact sensors are not attached.
Remedy
Repair to assure proper attachment of front impact sensors to brackets.
Front disc brake caliper guide pin bolts may not have been adequately torqued and could loosen.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause reduced braking effectiveness and couldresult in an accident.
Remedy
Properly torque front brake caliper guide pin bolts to 250 pounds.
Owner complaints
95 complaints8 involved a crash7 involved a fire9 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
*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
- Power train › Axle assembly
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
- Structure › Frame and members
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 car/truck/van owners. Will someone please help us!!!!. No safety defect listed. *Ak
- Suspension › Rear
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. the manager at the local dodge dealership informed consumer that this IS a fairly common failure. *jg
- Structure › Frame and members
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
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
- Electrical system › Wiring · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump · Steering › Rack and pinion · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Two mufflers and exhaust system failed. *yh
- Tires
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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 manufacturer should recall it. *yh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
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…
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 back to the dealer, who now stated that the problem was with the heater/ac blower motor, so I replaced that as well. $170.00 later, still haveing problems. Long story short I've replaced everything that has to due with the heater/ac system to include the entire ignition system and the problem still exsits. I've gone so far as to visit local junk yards in order to see if evidance exsits that other 91" dodge spirits have had the same problems, of the 15 cars that I inspected all but one had the same overheating problem, I was able to identify that these cars had the same problems by viewing the wiring system under the steering column and notice that the wiring and steering column cover were melted or had heat damage caused to them as did my own car.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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…
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 roughly 2 inches lower than anything else on the car, which means thatanytime you hit anything the first thing that gets damaged will be oil pan and in return could cause more serious problems. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
No summary
- Electrical system › Ignition
Paint IS peeling constantly in chunks,and steering wheel and surrounding areas become hot with heat from assumeably the ignition.
- Suspension › Rear
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
- Electrical system › Ignition · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
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
- Power train › Axle assembly
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 the consumer was complaining about.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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 speed control › Linkages
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
- Structure › Body
Paint IS peeling from vehicle.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission
Repeated transmission repairs & oil leaks + head replacements. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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
- Fuel system, gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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 pulled over and in a few second we notice the smoke was under the hood. And we stand there we notice melted rubber or wire was dropping down on the pavement so we grabbed a few things from the car and kept our distance untill the police and fire truck appeared.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While traveling at approximately 55 mph, the timing belt failed causing the vehicle to loss all power which could have resulted in injury. *yc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Timing belt breaks when operating at 55-60 mph in 5TH gear with the cruise control on, on 7 occasions experienced failure. mjs
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Throttle will not return to the position
Uncontrolled engine speed condition results fro throttle shaft binding
- Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
- Engine speed fluctuation
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10150552Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that are marked **** for the model year are no longer supported with OEM retrofit kits. NOTE: Dealers are encouraged to honor any customers? request for the installation of the Child Seat Tether Anchors and Dealer reimbursement will be made by FCA US LLC regardless of vehicle age or mileage. See the Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual and/or Warranty Bulletin D-08-33 for reimbursement detail.
- 6092304Subject regarding non-deployed airbag handling procedures.
- 6089800Daimlerchrysler corporation IS now offerinb airbag on / off switches for selected vehicles.
- 6089028Information on 41te/42le service information. *Nlm
- 6088988Concerns with 41te/42le transaxle shudder during an emcc (electronically modulated converter clutch) shift. *Nlm
- 6088834Information regarding nhtsa authorized airbag deactivation for medical necessity. *Nlm
- 6088786Concerns with engine coolant usage. *Nlm
- 621898Automatic transmission fluid usage ATF+4.
- 620059Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty.
- 618049Subject regarding wire splice repairs.
- 615688Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 612160Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *Mjs
- 610635Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 609995This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts.
- 607963Information on child seat tether anchors.
- 607959This bulletin announces the availability and installation of a resuable automatic transmission oil pan gasket.
- 605014Conditions with intermittent loss of speed control.
- 604696Subject regarding reusable automatic transmission oil pan gasket.
- 604364Service and parts information on 1999 running changes to transmission range sensor (trs)
- 603153Subject regarding airbag on - off switches.
- 600862Information on installation of radio transmitting equipment.
- 600751Subject on delayed transaxle engagement.
- 54423Authorized airbag deactivation for medical necessity.
- 54371Condition with tranaxle shudder during a 3RD gear to 3RD gear partial emcc ( electronically modulated converter clutch) engagement, 3RD gear partial emcc to 4TH gear partial emcc engagement, or 4TH gear to 4TH gear emcc engagement.
- 52963Various car owner's have expressed interest in using engine coolants made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
- 51993Vehicle shudder during torque converter emcc (lock up) operation/diagnostic trouble code 38.
- 51978Vehicles with 3.0L engines - intake valve deposits - driveway die out, rough idle, lack of power, sags or hesitation.
- 51942Difficult to clean light colored "chalky" residue from plastic body components that are molded in black.
- 46371Bulletin supersedes technical service bulletin 08-16-95, dated apr. 14, 1995. If the vehicle operator **repeatedly** presses and releases the set button with their foot off of the accelerator (a 'lift foot set' to begin speed control operation), the vehicle may accelerate and exceed the desired set speed by up to 5 mph (8 km/h) and then decelerate to less than the desired set speed before finally achieving the desired set speed.
- 43055Unknown
- 41049Cruise control overshoot/undershoot during initial set speed selection.
- 39980Turbo III cylinder head core plug service/cylinder head valley coolant leak.
- 39058Manual transaxle locked in neutral or locked in reverse.
- 39009Improved transmission shift quality.
- 39005Serpentine belt comes off pulleys.
- 37858Pcm not properly disengaging a/c clutch via the relay also the pcm may not energize the a/c clutch relay.
Every Dodge Spirit model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.