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1993 problems

FaultScore report

1993 Dodge Spirit problems

Owners have filed 118 complaints about the 1993 Dodge Spirit with NHTSA between 1995 and 2005. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge Spirit All 1993 cars

FaultScore 72/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Dodge Spirit.

How this is worked out

The numbers

118

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 63: Against the median year of the Dodge Spirit. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 87: 16.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported: Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 1993 compares with every other Dodge Spirit

Click any bar to open that year's report.

25 82 135 77 118 119 45 1 1

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 98 02

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1993 Dodge Spirit

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 23 19.5%

1 crashes, 1 fires

Electrical System 16 13.6%

0 crashes, 4 fires

Suspension 15 12.7%

Transmission & Drivetrain 10 8.5%

Median failure at 96,789 miles

Brakes 8 6.8%

Airbags 8 6.8%

5 crashes, 0 fires

Lights 7 5.9%

Seats 5 4.2%

Fuel & Propulsion 5 4.2%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 5 4.2%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 128,000 mi

Tires 4 3.4%

Steering 4 3.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 2.5%

Seat Belts 2 1.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Other & Unspecified 1 0.8%

Equipment & Accessories 1 0.8%

Wheels 1 0.8%

Exactly what failed

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 8 16.7%

Frontal 8 16.7%

Switch 7 14.6%

Gasoline 7 14.6%

Rear 7 14.6%

Axle Assembly 4 8.3%

Headlights 4 8.3%

Foundation Components 3 6.3%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
1993 Dodge Spirit 4-DR.	—	—	—	—

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 1995 peak 9 Aug 2005

NHTSA investigations into the 1993 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.

DP03002 Opened 7 May 2003 Closed 22 Jul 2003 STEERING:COLUMN

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENT...

PE96008 Opened 25 Jan 1996 Closed 28 Jun 1996 SEAT BELTS

SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION

Recalls on the 1993 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 1999045 18 Mar 1999 231 units in Canada

Emissions

Certain Spirit and Acclaim with a 2.5 litre flex-fuel engine and Intrepid with a 3.3 litre flex-fuel engine do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1101 - Emission Device. The methanol fuel sensor may fail due to grounding of the circuit board and a software problem. Correction: An improved methanol concentration sensor will be installed on affected vehicles.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 20 Jul 2004 at 128,000 miles Iowa City, IA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AND SET ITSELF TO 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE TO 30 MPH. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED A MINOR REAR END COLLISION. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10083302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2002 Newport Richey, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A REALLY BAD IMPACT. ALSO, SEAT BELT BUCKLES DID NOT LOCK PROPERLY.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8018965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2002 Newport Richey, FL Crash

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A REALLY BAD IMPACT. ALSO, SEAT BELT BUCKLES DID NOT LOCK PROPERLY.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8018965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Jan 2001 Saint Paul, MN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FRONT CRASH 35 MPH, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND A 3 INCH PIECE OF HARD PLASTIC HIT DRIVER IN FACE AND CAUSED INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #877246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Jul 2000 NEW Castle, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

UPON STARTING VEHICLE OR WHEN DRIVING SMOKE IS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AREA. PROBLEM OCCURRED MOSTLY UPON STARTING VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT AND BURNED UP.

NHTSA complaint #866357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Jul 2000 NEW Castle, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

NHTSA complaint #866357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 29 Aug 2005 Fond DU LAC, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT: 1993 DODGE SPIRIT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL CONCERNING THE FUEL SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP ARRANGED FOR THE REPAIRS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY NOTICED THE GAS LINES WERE CORRODED ON BOTH SIDES. IF THEY WERE TO BE TAKEN OFF THEY WILL CRUMBLE. CONTACTED CHRYSLER TO ACQUIRE NEW LINES. THEY WERE NO LONGER BEING MADE. CHRYSLER STATED THE PARTS ONLY HAVE TO BE SUPPLIED FOR SEVEN YEARS. THE RECALL WORK COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING WITHOUT THE GAS LINES. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10134595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Dec 2004 Claremont, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE THROTTLE TAKING OVER. *PH WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK OPEN. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE WAS BEING DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE ENOUGH THAT THE CONSUMER COULD TURN ONTO A SIDE ROAD. SHE IMMEDIATELY JAMMED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS THERE FOR TWO WEEKS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10071548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Jul 2004 at 128,000 miles Iowa City, IA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

NHTSA complaint #10083302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Apr 2004 Mount Laurel, NJ

TIRES

I BROUGHT MY TIRE TO A MECHANIC TO REPLACE A BENT RIM. HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIND A REPLACEMENT RIM AND BENT THE RIM BACK WITH A HAMMER. HOWEVER THE RIM STILL LOOKS UNSAFE. I TOOK A DIGITAL PHOTO AND WOULD LIKE TO SEND IT TO YOU. HOW DO I DO THAT. PLEASE TELL ME IF THE TIRE IS NOW SAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10067552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Apr 2004 Mount Laurel, NJ

WHEELS:RIM

NHTSA complaint #10067552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Apr 2003 at 96,789 miles Glendora, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I OWN A 1993 DODGE SPIRIT WITH ONLY 96000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FOR NO REASON AT ALL THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHEN I AM DRIVING AROUND TOWN. IT HAPPENS AROUND 20-30 MPH. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE TRANSMISSION NOT CHANGING GEARS AS NEEDED. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LONG HISTORY OF DEFECTS WITH THE 41TE AND 42LE TRANSMISSIONS. THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10013785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Sep 2002 Charlottsville, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT 75,000 MILE DURING DAMPS WEATHER CONDITION. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASION AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8019504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2002 Newport Richey, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A REALLY BAD IMPACT. ALSO, SEAT BELT BUCKLES DID NOT LOCK PROPERLY.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8018965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2002 Newport Richey, FL Crash

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A REALLY BAD IMPACT. ALSO, SEAT BELT BUCKLES DID NOT LOCK PROPERLY.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8018965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Sep 2002 Seattle, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

REAR AXLE BAR BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DUE TO LOCATION OF BREAK, WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED ($885.97). REPAIR SHOP COMMENTED THAT PART READILY AVAILABLE INDICATING A COMMON PROBLEM. VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE CONNECTOR. WATER PUMP PULLEY AND BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MISALIGNMENT OF PULLEY WHICH CAUSED IT TO RUB ON BELTS. CREATED LARGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE NOISE. ADDITIONALLY VALVE GASKET COVER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE TO CORRECT RECURRENT OIL LEAK. CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE 9-3-02--CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY DON'T CARE.