1990 Dodge Spirit recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
What could happen: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POS…
The fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 SPIRIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E033000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION
Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
What could happen: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
The fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 SPIRIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V237000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
Notes: SYSTEM: ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, LIGHT TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Dodge Spirit owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (19), Airbags (16), Electrical system (14), Engine (14), Suspension (6).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/07/2002 · Suspension
THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM REAR. ROD IN AXLE BROKE. CONSUMER FEELS THAT WHEEL MAY COME OFF. *AK THE WELD BROKE AT THE SPINDLE IN THE REAR AXLE. THE MECHANIC HAS FIXED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MONIES PAID TOWARDS REPIARS. CONSUMER FEELS AN AXLE PROBLEM SHOULD NOT OCCUR WITHIN 68000 MILES. *JG
10/01/2001 · Airbags · crash
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON OR WARNING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAD NOT CONTACTED A DEALER YET. CONSUMER REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK *YD
08/25/2001 · Electrical system · fire
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 T…
04/10/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
AS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE, SHIFTING DOWN FROM 4TH GEAR INTO 2ND GEAR DANGEROUSLY SLOWING THE CAR FROM 60 MPH TO 35 MPH, THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITH A CHRYSLER REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. *JB
02/15/2001 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE TOO LONG. *AK
02/08/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
3RD TRANSMISSION; 1ST REPLACED AT 115K MILES,2ND AT 117K,3RD AT 113K,2ND & 3RD ARE CHRYSLER REMANF TRANSMISSION. TRANS WENT INTO LIMP MODE AT 60MPH, DANGEROUS LOST OF SPEED ON HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC.*AK
11/28/2000 · Engine
I PREVIOUSLY OWNED AN 89 MODEL OF THIS CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW RECALL STATUS. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY. *AK
10/19/2000 · Airbags
WHILE DRIVING HIT AN ISLAND ,AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET DIED IN CENTER, AND AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER FEELS AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED.*AK