Owners have filed 77 complaints
about the 1992 Dodge Spirit with NHTSA between 1995 and 2019.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
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.
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 6Sep 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 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
Recalls on the 1992 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.
United States — NHTSA
92V015000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Risk: FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19920182,829 units in Canada
Steering
A steering column coupling bolt may fracture due to hydrogen embrittlement, causing loss of clamping load on the steering column shaft coupling with resultant loss of steering control. Correction: Zinc plated steering column coupling bolts will be replaced with a phosphate coated bolt.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Rochester, MIFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS USED ON ALL SPIRITS, ACCLAIMS, LEBARON SEDANS, CIRRUS, STRATUS, ALL MINIVANS MUST BE INVESTIGATED. THERE IS A BUILT IN DEFECT. I WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS SOONER, BUT I WAS A CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANS FAILED WAS AT 65-70 MPH IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, CAUGHT ON FIRE AS WELL, SMOKE ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #749553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS USED ON ALL SPIRITS, ACCLAIMS, LEBARON SEDANS, CIRRUS, STRATUS, ALL MINIVANS MUST BE INVESTIGATED. THERE IS A BUILT IN DEFECT. I WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS SOONER, BUT I WAS A CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANS FAILED WAS AT 65-70 MPH IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, CAUGHT ON FIRE AS WELL, SMOKE ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #749553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rising SUN, MDFire
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #987329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rising SUN, MDFire
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #987329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcminnville, TNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE CAR ABS BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #972610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Natick, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #968417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 60,000 milesPinole, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11253903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinole, CA
AIR BAGS
I AM RETRACTING WHAT I REPORTED ON MY AIRBAG LIGHT...IT DOES COME ON AND THEN GO OUT BUT STILL...I DONT KNOW IF ITS SAFE... UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #11253912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OPA Locka, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONCERNS REGARDING RECALLS ON 1992 DODGE SPIRIT.*MR CONSUMER REQUEST INFORMATION ON 1992 DODGE SPIRIT RECALLS. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10087438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,840 milesCarnegie, PA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM OR PIVOT SUDDENLY CAME LOOSE IN HEAVY SNOW. THE RIGHT SIDE WIPER CONTINUED TO WORK BUT THE LEFT SIDE ONLY MOVED INCHES IF AT ALL. WHILE TRYING TO PULL OFF I-79 I NEARLY HIT ANOTHER CAR DUE TO SNOW COVERED LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD. WIPER ARM IS LOOSE ON PIVOT OR PIVOT IS LOOSE. WE'VE HAD THE PROBLEM BEFORE, DODGE WAS TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PIVOT WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MY MOTHER'S NAME.
NHTSA complaint #10052697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL ODORS ARE GETTING INTO VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8004406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MIFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS USED ON ALL SPIRITS, ACCLAIMS, LEBARON SEDANS, CIRRUS, STRATUS, ALL MINIVANS MUST BE INVESTIGATED. THERE IS A BUILT IN DEFECT. I WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS SOONER, BUT I WAS A CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANS FAILED WAS AT 65-70 MPH IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, CAUGHT ON FIRE AS WELL, SMOKE ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #749553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS USED ON ALL SPIRITS, ACCLAIMS, LEBARON SEDANS, CIRRUS, STRATUS, ALL MINIVANS MUST BE INVESTIGATED. THERE IS A BUILT IN DEFECT. I WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS SOONER, BUT I WAS A CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANS FAILED WAS AT 65-70 MPH IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, CAUGHT ON FIRE AS WELL, SMOKE ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #749553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET CRACKED ON ORIGINAL AND ON THE SAMEPLACE ON THE REPLACEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, WA
SUSPENSION:REAR
THIS CAR WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED NEW BY A FORMER EMPLOYER IN 1992. I AM THE ORIGINAL DRIVER AND HAS TRULY FOLLOWED ALL MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND PERFORMED ALL REQUIRED REPAIRS. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN MODERATELY ALL DURING ITS LIFE. THE REAR TORSION BAR, WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE REAR AXLE AND RUNS BETWEEN BOTH REAR WHEELS, HAS APPARENTLY BROKEN. THE REPAIR WILL COST $650 PLUS TAX. THE INTEGRITY OF THE REAR SUSPENSION IS PRESUMABLY A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEREAS THE FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING, AXLES ARE VERY COMPLEX IN A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE AUTO, THE REAR AXLE AND SUSPENSION IS, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, VERY LOW-TECH AND SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE AUTO. INSTEAD, THE TORSION BAR IN THIS RATHER INERT PART OF THE CAR HAS SIMPLY BROKEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER CASES OF A BROKEN REAR TORSION BAR, BOTH AT THIS DEALER'S SERVICE OPERATION AND AT MY LOCAL GARAGE. THIS STRIKES ME AS BEING AN ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION RATHER THE RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND USE. MY DODGE SAYS CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PARTICIPATE FINANCIALLY IN THE REPAIR, SAYING THEY DON'T WANT TO SET A "PRECEDENT." PLEASE ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #723965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUIT WORKING. ON 04/23, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT WORK FOR THE FIRST 5 MILES, THEN IT WOULD START WORKING. ON 4/27 THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. ON 01/07/98, I WAS CHARGED 320.52 TO REPLACE THE SPEED AND EMISSION SENSORS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME TO GET THIS DEFECT CORRECTED. WITH ACCESSING THIS WEBSITE I WAS UNAWARE THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DEALER (ZANGARA DODGE) KNEW ABOUT THESE DEFEATS YEARS IN ADVANCE, YET I WAS CHARGED TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS REACCURED, ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WILL BE APPRECIATED. DRIVING WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER IS SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS....I JUST DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER $320 TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #722040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I DID A REPORT YESTERDAY, BUT I HAD THE DATE I BOUGHT THE CAR WRONG, I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1999 MAY 8, I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS SAFETY WISE. I HAVE A DODGE SHEET RECALL LISING THE TBS NUMBER FOR THE ITEMS ON MY CAR THAT HAV\E A DEFAUL\T IN IT IS AS FOLLOWS #081695A SPEED CONTROL DONT WORK, #2210695A SHIFT QUALITY POOR #31804936 POWER LOSS WHILE DRIVING, #4210193 WHISTLING NOISE AT IDLE, NUMBER 5110193 SQUEAKING NOISE FROM EXHAUST PIPE. NUMBER #7 060292 IGNITION KEY HARD TO TURN, 050692 REAR BRAKE RATTLES THE SPPED ODOMETER NEVER WORKED, I DID NOT RECEIVE A OWNER MANUAL, I RECEIVE THE LIST FROM AUTOMOTIVE RECALLS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIONS FOR 1992 DODGE SPIRIT V6-181 3.0L SOCH VIN 3 FL PROVIDE BY ALLDATA ISSUE FEB 92 SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 538 TSB NUMBER 538, I HAVE A LOT OF OTHER DEFEACTS PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #719079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I DID A REPORT YESTERDAY, BUT I HAD THE DATE I BOUGHT THE CAR WRONG, I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1999 MAY 8, I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS SAFETY WISE. I HAVE A DODGE SHEET RECALL LISING THE TBS NUMBER FOR THE ITEMS ON MY CAR THAT HAV\E A DEFAUL\T IN IT IS AS FOLLOWS #081695A SPEED CONTROL DONT WORK, #2210695A SHIFT QUALITY POOR #31804936 POWER LOSS WHILE DRIVING, #4210193 WHISTLING NOISE AT IDLE, NUMBER 5110193 SQUEAKING NOISE FROM EXHAUST PIPE. NUMBER #7 060292 IGNITION KEY HARD TO TURN, 050692 REAR BRAKE RATTLES THE SPPED ODOMETER NEVER WORKED, I DID NOT RECEIVE A OWNER MANUAL, I RECEIVE THE LIST FROM AUTOMOTIVE RECALLS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIONS FOR 1992 DODGE SPIRIT V6-181 3.0L SOCH VIN 3 FL PROVIDE BY ALLDATA ISSUE FEB 92 SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 538 TSB NUMBER 538, I HAVE A LOT OF OTHER DEFEACTS PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #719079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I DID A REPORT YESTERDAY, BUT I HAD THE DATE I BOUGHT THE CAR WRONG, I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1999 MAY 8, I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS SAFETY WISE. I HAVE A DODGE SHEET RECALL LISING THE TBS NUMBER FOR THE ITEMS ON MY CAR THAT HAV\E A DEFAUL\T IN IT IS AS FOLLOWS #081695A SPEED CONTROL DONT WORK, #2210695A SHIFT QUALITY POOR #31804936 POWER LOSS WHILE DRIVING, #4210193 WHISTLING NOISE AT IDLE, NUMBER 5110193 SQUEAKING NOISE FROM EXHAUST PIPE. NUMBER #7 060292 IGNITION KEY HARD TO TURN, 050692 REAR BRAKE RATTLES THE SPPED ODOMETER NEVER WORKED, I DID NOT RECEIVE A OWNER MANUAL, I RECEIVE THE LIST FROM AUTOMOTIVE RECALLS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIONS FOR 1992 DODGE SPIRIT V6-181 3.0L SOCH VIN 3 FL PROVIDE BY ALLDATA ISSUE FEB 92 SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 538 TSB NUMBER 538, I HAVE A LOT OF OTHER DEFEACTS PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #719079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
POWER TRAIN
SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR, I HAD TO HAVE A LOT OF REPAIRS, I JUST LEARN FROM A CAR DEALER THAT DODGE SPIRIT 92 ARE RECALLED CARS, I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PAINT PEELING SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR, WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT AT HAD ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE CAR THAT WAS PEELING, NOW ITS PEELING VERY WHERE, THE DAY I DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH THE CAR I NOTICED THE ODOMETER WAS NOT WORKING AND TO THIS DAY IT STILL DO NOT WORK, SO I DONT KNOW HOW FAST I DRIVE, WHEN I DRIVE I LOSE POWER RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, THIS IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS, IT JUST CUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #719065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR, I HAD TO HAVE A LOT OF REPAIRS, I JUST LEARN FROM A CAR DEALER THAT DODGE SPIRIT 92 ARE RECALLED CARS, I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PAINT PEELING SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR, WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT AT HAD ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE CAR THAT WAS PEELING, NOW ITS PEELING VERY WHERE, THE DAY I DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH THE CAR I NOTICED THE ODOMETER WAS NOT WORKING AND TO THIS DAY IT STILL DO NOT WORK, SO I DONT KNOW HOW FAST I DRIVE, WHEN I DRIVE I LOSE POWER RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, THIS IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS, IT JUST CUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #719065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT. View, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HINGE BROKE WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #855921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raton, NM
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING IN CITY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, HIT THE END OF CURB, AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #855831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #714741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Yarmouth, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION/OVERDRIVE WILL SUDDENLY SHIFT FROM THIRD TO SECOND WHILE GOING 55 MPH, CAUSING DISINTEGRATION OF TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN PIECES OF METAL FALLING INTO THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #845877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerset, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE TRUNK SEAL LEAKS AT THE UPPER CORNERS OF THE TRUNK. WATER COLLECTED INSIDE AND TRUNK HAS RUSTED IN CERTAIN AREAS. THE JACK AND SPARE TIRE, WHICH SAT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK, WERE BEYOND REPAIR. ALSO, SEVERAL TIMES THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE FAILED. USUALLY HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR TO GET THEM TO WORK. ELECTRICAL SHORT OF SOME KIND?
NHTSA complaint #706384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerset, KY
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
THE TRUNK SEAL LEAKS AT THE UPPER CORNERS OF THE TRUNK. WATER COLLECTED INSIDE AND TRUNK HAS RUSTED IN CERTAIN AREAS. THE JACK AND SPARE TIRE, WHICH SAT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK, WERE BEYOND REPAIR. ALSO, SEVERAL TIMES THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE FAILED. USUALLY HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR TO GET THEM TO WORK. ELECTRICAL SHORT OF SOME KIND?
NHTSA complaint #706384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AR
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON. A REPAIR SHOP CONTACTED, AND STATED THEY CANNOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #827298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaver, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SMELLED AN ODOR OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRES INSIDE OF VEHICLE. WHEN IGNITION SWITCH IS ON, WIRES WOULD GLOW BRIGHT ORANGE. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK WIRE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #833537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH RAIN PUDDLES OR SNOW, THE POWER STEERING /ALTERNATER BELT SLIPS OFF ITS PULLEYS
NHTSA complaint #701830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Louis, MO
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE WAS RECONGNIZED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A SHOP WERE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #829313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.