DODGE SPIRIT · model year

1993 DODGE SPIRIT

118 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993DODGESPIRIT carries 118 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 SPIRIT is air bags:frontal with 8 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (8) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1993 SPIRIT, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

118
Complaints
10
Crashes
5
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

118 filings

Crashes Reported

10 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE7
SUSPENSION:REAR7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS4
TIRES4
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY4
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
SEATS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
SUSPENSION:FRONT2

Recent Complaints

20050829FUEL 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 *JB

20041209VEHICLE 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. *NM

20040720CrashVEHICLE 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. *LA

Mileage: 128,000

20040420WHEELS:RIM

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. *AK

20040420TIRES

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. *AK

20030401POWER 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. *JB

Mileage: 96,789

20020925ENGINE 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.

20020918CrashSEAT 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. *AK

20020918CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

20020906POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

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. *AK

20020906VEHICLE 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. *AK

20020906POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

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. *AK

20020906ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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. *AK

20020906ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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. *AK

20020906ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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. *AK

20020802ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.*AK

20020802ELECTRICAL 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.*AK

20011015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ANY AND ALL PROBLEMS WITH 1993 DODGE SPIRIT,. NO SAFETYD EFECT LISTED. *AK

20011015EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ANY AND ALL PROBLEMS WITH 1993 DODGE SPIRIT,. NO SAFETYD EFECT LISTED. *AK

20010803ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ENGINE STALLED, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER , CAMSHAFT HAD BROKEN.*AK *JB

Compare 1993DODGESPIRIT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 DODGE SPIRIT have?
The 1993 DODGE SPIRIT has 118 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 DODGE SPIRIT?
The most-complained component for the 1993 DODGE SPIRIT is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1993 DODGE SPIRIT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.