Dodge Spirit Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Dodge Spirit model year (1989–1995) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Dodge Spirit Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 86 complaints
6 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Problem score: 112
1 recall · 71 complaints
10 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Problem score: 104
0 recalls · 76 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Problem score: 80
Best Dodge Spirit Years to Buy
1 recall · 12 complaints
Main area: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Problem score: 15
0 recalls · 22 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Problem score: 24
1 recall · 40 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Problem score: 55
Found the right year? Verify that specific Spirit with a free VIN report.
Dodge Spirit — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 0 | 22 | 1 | — | 24 | Good |
| 1994 | 1 | 71 | 10 | 2 | 104 | Avoid |
| 1993 | 0 | 76 | 2 | — | 80 | Avoid |
| 1992 | 1 | 55 | 1 | — | 60 | Caution |
| 1991 | 3 | 86 | 6 | 1 | 112 | Avoid |
| 1990 | 1 | 40 | 6 | — | 55 | Caution |
| 1989 | 1 | 12 | — | — | 15 | Good |
All 7 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Dodge Spirit Shopping Guide by Era
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Spirit models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Spirit should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1991 Dodge Spirit if possible. It has 3 recalls, 86 owner complaints, and 1 reported death. The overall problem score is 112 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Spirit to buy?+
The 1989 Dodge Spirit is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 15. It has only 1 recall and 12 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Spirit has the fewest problems?+
The 1989, 1995, 1990 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Dodge Spirit Research
Check a Specific Dodge Spirit VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
Run a Free VIN Report →