1990 Dodge Spirit problems & reliability
63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Dodge Spirit. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
10 complaints report injuries (11 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 17 | 27% |
| Air Bags → | 15 | 24% |
| Electrical System → | 13 | 21% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 10 | 16% |
| Suspension | 6 | 10% |
| Visibility | 3 | 5% |
| Seats | 2 | 3% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“There was a squeaking noise coming from rear. Rod in axle broke. Consumer feels that wheel may come off. *ak the weld broke at the spindle in the rear axle. The mechanic has fixed. Consumer would like to be reimbursed for monies paid towards repiars. Consumer feels an axle problem should not occur within 68000 miles…”
Suspension · filed Aug 7, 2002
“Air bags deployed without reason or warning, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. Had not contacted a dealer yet. Consumer rearended another vehicle.*ak *yd”
Air Bags · filed Oct 1, 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…”
Electrical System · filed Aug 28, 2001
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
34 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1990 Dodge Spirit. The 10 most recent:
Child 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…
23-014-15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 23, 2015
Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty. *tt
0801001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 25, 2001
Automatic transmission fluid usage atf+4. *tt *mj
2100601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 16, 2001
Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *sb
0800600REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 29, 2000
Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *tt
0800600 REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 22, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
2300800B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 24, 2000
Subject regarding non-deployed airbag handling procedures. *tt
082700 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 29, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
230800 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 2000
This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. *tt
080600 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 25, 2000
Daimlerchrysler corporation is now offerinb airbag on / off switches for selected vehicles. *tt
083799 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 12, 1999
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1990 Dodge Spirit in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1990 Dodge Spirit?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.