Owners have filed 45 complaints
about the 1995 Dodge Spirit with NHTSA between 1995 and 2005.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
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 — 24
Against the median year of the Dodge Spirit. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 80
15.6% 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.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1995 Dodge Spirit
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
817.8%
Electrical System
715.6%
0 crashes, 3 fires
Brakes
511.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Suspension
48.9%
Median failure at 54,041 miles
Engine & Cooling
48.9%
Fuel & Propulsion
36.7%
Airbags
36.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Seat Belts
24.4%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
24.4%
Body & Structure
24.4%
Steering
24.4%
Equipment & Accessories
12.2%
Seats
12.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12.2%
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
1995 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.
Mar 1995peak 4Jun 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 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.
DP03002Opened 7 May 2003Closed 22 Jul 2003STEERING: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...
PE96008Opened 25 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Austin, TXFire
AIR BAGS
MY CARS AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON AND CAUGHT FIRE TO MY IGNITION SWITCH. I WAS OUT OVER $600 FOR REPAIRS. I KNOW YOU HAVE RECALLED SOME 1995 DODGE CARS AND WANT TO KNOW IF MINE HAS THE SAME PARTS ON THE AIR BAG? PLS ADVISE VIA E-MAIL. THANKS. JOANNE RAMIREZ.
NHTSA complaint #731076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY CARS AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON AND CAUGHT FIRE TO MY IGNITION SWITCH. I WAS OUT OVER $600 FOR REPAIRS. I KNOW YOU HAVE RECALLED SOME 1995 DODGE CARS AND WANT TO KNOW IF MINE HAS THE SAME PARTS ON THE AIR BAG? PLS ADVISE VIA E-MAIL. THANKS. JOANNE RAMIREZ.
NHTSA complaint #731076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walton, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ELECTRICAL: DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, SAW CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD, WIRES IN STEERING COLUMN WERE ON FIRE. DEALER SAID SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN THAT ALLOWS WHEEL TO TILT WAS LODGED AGAINST ONE OF THE WIRES AND WORE OFF ALL THE INSULATION.
NHTSA complaint #815327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Vernon, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING WIRES WAS NOTICED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SHORT IN THE UNDER THE DASH WIRING THAT CAUSED A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #806237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wantagh, NYCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #508298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wichita Fall, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #968167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Sarasota, FL
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
I HAVE A 1995 DODGE SPIRIT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO THERE STARTED TO BE A SHAKE ON THE FRONT END. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID ITS SOMETHING WITH THE AXLE. I TALKED TO A FRIEND TONIGHT WHO HAS A 1995 ACCLAIM, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE SAME VEHICLE JUST A DIFFERENT NAME PUT ON THE BACK.. HE HAD THAT SAME PROMBLEM A YEAR AGO.. TALKED TO ANOTHER FRIEND WHO HAS A 1995 DODGE SPIRIT. HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 6 MONTHS AGO. TALKED TO SOMEONE WHO HAD A 1994 DODGE SPIRIT .. SHE NEVER HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT.. IM THINKING THAT IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE FRONT AXLE OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10126587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Moines, IA
SUSPENSION:REAR
1995 DODGE SPIRIT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE INNER TORSION BAR.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WELDED, BUT IT DID NOT HOLD FOR LONG AND NOW THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10121487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,041 milesDES Moines, IA
SUSPENSION
1995 DODGE SPIRIT HAS A DEFECTIVE TRAILING ARM ASSEMBLY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TRAILING ARM WAS WELDED. THE WELD DID NOT HOLD LONG AND BROKE CAUSING A LOUD POP WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE PROBLEM IS A COMMON DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10117849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Malabar, FL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS CHANGING LANES INTO MY LANE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND PUSHED ON THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE HORN DID NOT SOUND. AFTER THE INCICENT, I REMEMBERED THAT THE HORN IS A SMALL BUTTON IN AN INCONVENIENT PLACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD OF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE IT BELONGS AND WHERE ALL AMERICAN DRIVERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO PUSH. THE OTHER DRIVER NEVER REALIZED I WAS THERE AND COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ME. WITH A WORKING HORN IN THE PROPER PLACE, THE OTHER CAR MAY HAVE STOPPED COMING INTO MY LANE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY PUBLICITY BY DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR HORNS OR ANY PLANS TO FIX THE STEERING WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10088244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Malabar, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS CHANGING LANES INTO MY LANE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND PUSHED ON THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE HORN DID NOT SOUND. AFTER THE INCICENT, I REMEMBERED THAT THE HORN IS A SMALL BUTTON IN AN INCONVENIENT PLACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD OF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE IT BELONGS AND WHERE ALL AMERICAN DRIVERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO PUSH. THE OTHER DRIVER NEVER REALIZED I WAS THERE AND COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ME. WITH A WORKING HORN IN THE PROPER PLACE, THE OTHER CAR MAY HAVE STOPPED COMING INTO MY LANE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY PUBLICITY BY DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR HORNS OR ANY PLANS TO FIX THE STEERING WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10088244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THE VEHICLE LEAKED GASOLINE DUE TO FUEL LINE BEING ABRADED BY FRICTION.
NHTSA complaint #562611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, MI
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TORQUE TUBE CRACKS INSIDE OF WELD ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH WEAKENS THE TRAILING ARM. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8007824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orion, MI
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THE TORQUE TUBE CRACKS INSIDE OF WELD ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH WEAKENS THE TRAILING ARM. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8007825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Imperial, PA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE INNER TUBE HAS 8 INCH CRACK.
NHTSA complaint #759190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THE VEHICLE LEAKED GASOLINE DUE TO FUEL LINE BEING ABRADED BY FRICTION.
NHTSA complaint #562611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, LA
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE TRAVELING 20MPH AND CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #895089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
DRIVER ALERTED TO A PROBLEM BY HONKING OF OTHER DRIVERS, AND TOLD GASOLINE WAS STREAMING FROM THE TANK AREA. DROVE HOME, FOUND THAT THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN MOUNTED ONE ABOVE THE OTHER (RIGID VS. MOVING PARTS) AND THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET HAD ABRADED BOTH FUEL LINES, AND ONE OF THEM COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE INSIDE. LUCKILY NO SPARK FROM THE FRICTION OCCURRED OR I WOULD NOT BE SENDING THIS REPORT. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. I WILL WAIT FOR A FEW DAYS FOR YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, BUT I WILL HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED TO GET TO WORK. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #750790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DRIVER ALERTED TO A PROBLEM BY HONKING OF OTHER DRIVERS, AND TOLD GASOLINE WAS STREAMING FROM THE TANK AREA. DROVE HOME, FOUND THAT THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN MOUNTED ONE ABOVE THE OTHER (RIGID VS. MOVING PARTS) AND THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET HAD ABRADED BOTH FUEL LINES, AND ONE OF THEM COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE INSIDE. LUCKILY NO SPARK FROM THE FRICTION OCCURRED OR I WOULD NOT BE SENDING THIS REPORT. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. I WILL WAIT FOR A FEW DAYS FOR YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, BUT I WILL HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED TO GET TO WORK. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #750790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, LA
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING OVER RAIL ROAD CROSSING NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #749622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freeport, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHEN GOING OVER A POT HOLE OR A BUMP THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN LEFT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS REAR CROSSMEMBER.
NHTSA complaint #888993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #744616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sierraville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THIS CAR WAS A LEMON...DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR AND THEN SOLD THIS TO ANOTHER PERSON...I RECEIVED TWO PARKING TICKETS ON THIS CAR WHICH I HAVE NOT HAD IN MY POSSESSION SINCE JULY AND THE RESGISTATION IS STILL IN MY NAME THE CAR HAD MANY DEFECTS AND DEALER REFUSED TO REFUND FULL AMOUNT PAID IN CASH...I WAS DOUBLE TEAMED AND EMOTIONAL STRESSED BY THE TACTICS THAT THE SALEMEN USED....I KNOW THE CAR WAS RESOLD AND IT WAS A LEMON ...IS THERE ANY WAY TO STOP THIS KIND OF TREATMENT TO CONSUMERS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #736488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sierraville, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THIS CAR WAS A LEMON...DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR AND THEN SOLD THIS TO ANOTHER PERSON...I RECEIVED TWO PARKING TICKETS ON THIS CAR WHICH I HAVE NOT HAD IN MY POSSESSION SINCE JULY AND THE RESGISTATION IS STILL IN MY NAME THE CAR HAD MANY DEFECTS AND DEALER REFUSED TO REFUND FULL AMOUNT PAID IN CASH...I WAS DOUBLE TEAMED AND EMOTIONAL STRESSED BY THE TACTICS THAT THE SALEMEN USED....I KNOW THE CAR WAS RESOLD AND IT WAS A LEMON ...IS THERE ANY WAY TO STOP THIS KIND OF TREATMENT TO CONSUMERS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #736488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXFire
AIR BAGS
MY CARS AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON AND CAUGHT FIRE TO MY IGNITION SWITCH. I WAS OUT OVER $600 FOR REPAIRS. I KNOW YOU HAVE RECALLED SOME 1995 DODGE CARS AND WANT TO KNOW IF MINE HAS THE SAME PARTS ON THE AIR BAG? PLS ADVISE VIA E-MAIL. THANKS. JOANNE RAMIREZ.
NHTSA complaint #731076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY CARS AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON AND CAUGHT FIRE TO MY IGNITION SWITCH. I WAS OUT OVER $600 FOR REPAIRS. I KNOW YOU HAVE RECALLED SOME 1995 DODGE CARS AND WANT TO KNOW IF MINE HAS THE SAME PARTS ON THE AIR BAG? PLS ADVISE VIA E-MAIL. THANKS. JOANNE RAMIREZ.
NHTSA complaint #731076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Land, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHEN DRIVING 70MPH RADIATOR WOULD OVERHEAT & WOULD MELT THE OVERFLOW TANK. THE SPOUT WOULD THEN MELT CLOSE & NO PRESSURE WOULD RELEASE. ENGINE WOULD THEN BLOW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #854072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laplace, LA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #707898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Largo, FL
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
WHILE DRIVING AT 20-30 MPH WHEEL FLEW OVER CAR, ACROSS HIGHWAY AND 1/2 MILE DOWN EMBANKMENT. DUE TO WORN OUT LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND NOT ABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEMS REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #836540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten ISL, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION OVERHAULS DUE TO FAILURES CAUSING SLIPPING.
NHTSA complaint #525319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colonial, NJ
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE REAR CROSS MEMBER BROKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #826257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.