NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Engine
2541.7%
Automatic Transmission
915.0%
Ignition
610.0%
Frame AND Members
58.3%
Frontal
58.3%
Pump
46.7%
Switch
35.0%
Rack AND Pinion
35.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 12Feb 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Dodge Spirit
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE96036Opened 14 May 1996Closed 31 Oct 1996VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE96008Opened 25 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
PE91080Opened 30 May 1991Closed 30 Sep 1991ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATION
Recalls on the 1991 Dodge Spirit
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19911066,453 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES WITH A 50/50 BENCH SEAT, THE FRONT OUTBOARD PASSENGER SEAT BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND/ OR UNLATCH DUE TO A BELT WEBBING STIFFENER WHICH COULD ENTER THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGE THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE. THIS COULD ALSO RESULT IN PARTIAL LATCH ENGAGEMENT. CORRECTION: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED VERSION IF NECESSARY.
Recall 1990141977 units in Canada
Brakes
THE FRONT DISC CALIPER GUIDE BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED ADEQUATELY. THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME DEGREE OF ABNORMAL BRAKE FUNCTION. CORRECTION: FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Lyons, OHFire
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
NHTSA complaint #10006846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mpls, MNCrash2 injured
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #734712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tinton Falls, NJFire
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.
NHTSA complaint #723613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tinton Falls, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #723613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NYFire
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.
NHTSA complaint #851539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 THE WINDOW. THE SEATBELT RESTRAINED ME APPROPRIATELY AND I HAD SOME SEATBELT BRUISING BUT THE AIRBAG SEVERELY CONTUSED MY ARM AND ELBOW WITH POSSIBLE FRACTURES AND CRUSHED BONES RESULTING IN MY ARM BEING IMMOBILIZED IN A LONG ARM CAST. THE SWELLING AND PAIN WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE DOCTORS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE FULL EXTENT OF THE INJURIES. NOW TODAY THEY THINK THAT A TRAUMATIC FUSION MAY HAVE OCCURRED IN MY WRIST. ARE THERE ANY OTHER INJURIES REPORTED THAT HAVE CAUSED OTHER VICTIMS TO HAVE THEIR ARM/S THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD BY A DEPLOYING AIR BAG? I DO SIT AT LEAST 12 INCHES AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED TOWARDS MY FACE OR CHEST, BUT RATHER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION
NHTSA complaint #713726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Lyons, OHFire
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
NHTSA complaint #10006846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prescott, AZ
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
NHTSA complaint #10001921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aldan, PA
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.
NHTSA complaint #764751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prescott, AZ
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.
NHTSA complaint #8013850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aldan, PA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #762185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrita, CA
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.
NHTSA complaint #8010307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
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.
NHTSA complaint #8002997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TWO MUFFLERS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE IGNITION WIRES WERE REPLACED. *Y
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomall, PA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
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.
NHTSA complaint #881151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
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 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.
NHTSA complaint #738474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #738474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
NHTSA complaint #738474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.