ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ODOMETER QUIT WORKING BUT SPEEDOMETER STILL WORKS, NEED ODOMETER FOR UPDATE ON STATE INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10520002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dodge Spirit electrical problems
71 of the 603 complaints filed about the Dodge Spirit are about the electrical system — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1993.
71
Complaints
12%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
21
Fires
Electrical System complaints by model year
1990 Spirit
15
21.1%
1991 Spirit
13
18.3%
1992 Spirit
8
11.3%
1993 Spirit
16
22.5%
1994 Spirit
11
15.5%
1995 Spirit
7
9.9%
What owners said
1995 Dodge Spirit
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.
1993 Dodge Spirit
Aiken, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY WILL DIE OUT AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED TIMING BELT, CAMSHAFT AND THE TOP PART OF ENGINE. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMAATION.
NHTSA complaint #8015378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1991 Dodge Spirit
Broomall, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE IGNITION WIRES WERE REPLACED. *Y
NHTSA complaint #563726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM &REPLACED, THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD CONTACT OUR INSURANCE COMPANCY &HAVE THEM INVESTIGATE THE MATTER. THE V.F.D. STATED THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO ELECT. & OR FUEL MALFUNCTION. I STILL OWE OVER $2500.00 ON THIS VEHICLE & THE INSURANCE CO. HAS TOTALLED THIS CAR AT 2500.00 . I BELEIVE THIS PROBLEM WAS INCURRED BY THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THIS CAR BY THE SELLER & OR THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY SELLER. MY WIFE WAS NOT INJURED PHYSICALLY BUT MENTALLY DUE TO THE FACT SHE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT . ANY SUGGESTION'S OR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, I AM 1 PERSON TRYING TO SUPPORT A FAMILY OF 5 & DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD CONTINUE TO PAY FOR A CAR I NO LONGER POSSESS OR CAN DRIVE. DO I HAVE ANY RIGHT'S?
NHTSA complaint #751117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
1991 Dodge Spirit
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.
1994 Dodge Spirit
Brooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING AT ANY SPEED. DODGE FINALLY SAID CO PILOT SHOULD BE INSTALLED, ADMITTING THERE IS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #876346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1991 Dodge Spirit
Cleveland, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
PAINT IS PEELING CONSTANTLY IN CHUNKS,AND STEERING WHEEL AND SURROUNDING AREAS BECOME HOT WITH HEAT FROM ASSUMEABLY THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #731825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN AIR CONDITION IS ON HIGH THE STEERING COLUMN GOT HOT AND BURNED THE WIRE THAT INDICATES NO BRAKES. ALSO IT HAS MELTED THE COVER BELOW THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #9001728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAILING AGAIN AFTER BEING REPLACED 3-4 YEARS AGO. ALSO, WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY, CAUSING HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR SWITCH NOT TO OPERATE/ AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY ON THE DASHBOARD/,BRAKE PADS FELL OFF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WITHOUT ANY WARNING/ GEAR SELECTOR FAILED, DID NOT SHOW THE CORRECT GEAR, AND REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF. PARTS FOR WIRING HARNESS PURCHASED AT DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #863775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAILING AGAIN AFTER BEING REPLACED 3-4 YEARS AGO. ALSO, WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY, CAUSING HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR SWITCH NOT TO OPERATE/ AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY ON THE DASHBOARD/,BRAKE PADS FELL OFF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WITHOUT ANY WARNING/ GEAR SELECTOR FAILED, DID NOT SHOW THE CORRECT GEAR, AND REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF. PARTS FOR WIRING HARNESS PURCHASED AT DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #863775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1990 Dodge Spirit
Hawthorne, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT INDICATION. DEALER HAS REPLACED SWITCH TWICE. NOW WHEN OWNER TURNS ON THE A/C OR HEATER FAN, THE SECTION OF THE SWITCH WHERE THE WIRES CONNECT BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #863303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1992 Dodge Spirit
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
UPON TURNING IGNITION SWITCH SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM STEERING COLUMN THEN FROM DASH. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND HAD CAR TOWED. DEALER STATES THAT IGNITION GROUNDED OUT AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE BURNING OF WIRING SYSTEM THROUGHOUT DASH AND MOTOR. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN HIGH TRAFFIC WHERE IGNITION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY EVEN MORE DAMAGE OR INJURY COULD HAVE OCCURED. THE DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS COULD HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #713912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO SMOKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN ARTERY OF TRAFFIC AND I LITTERALLY HAD TO TURN ON MY SIGNAL AND THEN MAKE A QUICK EXIT OFF THE ROAD SO NOT TO INTTERRUPT ANY TRAFFIC BEHIND ME.
NHTSA complaint #708478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.