1991 Dodge Spirit problems & reliability
95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 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.
8 complaints report injuries (9 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1991 Dodge Spirit vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 25 | 26% |
| Power Train → | 15 | 16% |
| Electrical System → | 13 | 14% |
| Air Bags → | 12 | 13% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 8% |
| Structure | 7 | 7% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 5% |
| Steering | 5 | 5% |
| Suspension | 5 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“*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”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Feb 13, 2003
“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”
Power Train · filed Jan 9, 2003
“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…”
Structure · filed Jul 31, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITION
Preliminary Evaluation PE96036 · opened May 14, 1996 · closed Oct 31, 1996
- SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
Preliminary Evaluation PE96008 · opened Jan 25, 1996 · closed Jun 28, 1996
- ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATION
Preliminary Evaluation PE91080 · opened May 30, 1991 · closed Sep 30, 1991
Technical service bulletins
36 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 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 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
Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *mjs
233599REVA · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 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 1991 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 1991 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.