Model year record

1990 Dodge Spirit recalls & problems

The 1990 Dodge Spirit has 2 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (18 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints63filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 6reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths10 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionApr 14, 2008

Suspension

Recall 08E0330006,903 vehicles

Problem: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Engine and engine coolingDec 27, 1989

Engine

Recall 89V237000634,000 vehicles

Problem: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Spirit

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Spirit

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Spirit

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Spirit

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Spirit

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	18	0	1	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	16	6	1	10	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Switch	15	0	7	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	10	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear; Multiple axle	6	0	0	0	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	3	0	1	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	2	0	1	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	2	1	0	1	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system	1	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension › Rear
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. *JG
Jul 15, 2002
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
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
Sep 9, 2001
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
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 HOOD , AFTER FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED VINELAND F.D. ASKED WHAT WERE ALL THE WIRES THERE FOR. I TOLD THEM THAT MR. ROBERT'S AUTO MECHANIC HAD REWIRED…
Aug 9, 2001
Power train › Manual transmission
AS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE, SHIFTING DOWN FROM 4TH GEAR INTO 2ND GEAR DANGEROUSLY SLOWING THE CAR FROM 60 MPH TO 35 MPH, THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITH A CHRYSLER REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. *JB
Jan 25, 2001
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE TOO LONG. *AK
Nov 1, 2000
Power train › Automatic transmission
3RD TRANSMISSION; 1ST REPLACED AT 115K MILES,2ND AT 117K,3RD AT 113K,2ND & 3RD ARE CHRYSLER REMANF TRANSMISSION. TRANS WENT INTO LIMP MODE AT 60MPH, DANGEROUS LOST OF SPEED ON HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC.*AK
Jan 28, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
I PREVIOUSLY OWNED AN 89 MODEL OF THIS CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW RECALL STATUS. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Nov 28, 2000
Air bags › Frontal
WHILE DRIVING HIT AN ISLAND ,AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET DIED IN CENTER, AND AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER FEELS AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED.*AK
Oct 18, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.