1991 Dodge Spirit recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
What could happen: AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
The fix: REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.
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 1991 SPIRIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V194000.
- 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: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Summary: THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Consequence: AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
Remedy: REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.
Notes: SYSTEM: AIR BAG SENSORS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
What could happen: THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.
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 1991 SPIRIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V162000.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.
Notes: SYSTEM: FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPE GUIDE, PIN BOLTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
3. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
What could happen: LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
The fix: REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.
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 1991 SPIRIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V122000.
- 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: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
Consequence: LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.
Notes: SYSTEM: SAFETY BELT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLE.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1991 Dodge Spirit owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (32), Transmission / drivetrain (18), Electrical system (13), Airbags (12), Vehicle Speed Control (9).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/13/2003 · Engine · fire
*OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT* THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. FUNCTIONAL DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE ENGINE AND UNDER CARRIAGE AREAS. *JG *JB
01/09/2003 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHILE DRIVING THE SWAY BAR BROKE. THE SWAY BAR BROKE AGAIN AFTER WELDING IT. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT ENTIRE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY BE REPLACED. *TT *NLM
07/26/2002 · Body / structure
THE PAINT ON THE CAR'S HOOD BEGAN TO CRACK AND PEEL 4 YEARS AFTER THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTED CASES AND STILL CHRYSLER/DODGE ACKNOWLEDGES ANY WRONG DOING. IT WAS THEIR PAINTING PROCESS THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN NOT THE THOUSANDS OF LATE 1980'S AND EARLY 1990'S DODGE CAR/TRUCK/VAN OWNERS. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HELP US!!!!. NO S…
07/15/2002 · Suspension
WHILE DRIVING OVER A STONEY ROAD AT 10MPH, THE ANTI SWAY BAR BROKE.*AK AFTER DRIVNG OVER FRESHLY LAID GRAVEL WHICH WAS DEEP IN SOME AREAS, THE VEHICLE STARTED EMITTING A HIGH PITCHED NOISE CHARACTERISTIC OF A BROKEN ANTI SWAY BAR. THIS BAR WAS WELDED AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR BUT LATER BROKE AGAIN. THE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUM…
05/22/2002 · Lights
HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGED FROM HEAT OF WEATHER AND CONSUMER CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHTS ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC AND HEAT HAS BLURRED THE LIGHTS. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
05/22/2002 · Body / structure
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
01/28/2002 · Wheels / tires
WHILE DRIVING 25 TO 30 MPH, CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE. GOT OUT AND CHECKED RIGHT REAR TIRE WHICH HAD SHREDDED. STEELBELTS WERE SHOWING. 1991, DODGE, SPIRIT, TIRE SIZE P195/70R14, DOT# HHHD514X25.*AK MICHELIN TREADWARE 310 TRACTION A M AND S TUBULAR. *MJ
10/19/2001 · Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE WOULD REV UP TO 2000 RPM POSSIBLY DUE TO IDLE SPEED MOTOR FAILURE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER THE IDLE SPEED MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *YH