1991 Dodge Spirit: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1991 Dodge Spirit: 3 recalls, 95 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #90V162000 · 1990 · 18,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Front disc brake caliper guide pin bolts May not have been adequately torqued and could loosen.
Why it matters: This could cause reduced braking effectiveness and couldresult in an accident.
The fix: Properly torque front brake caliper guide pin bolts to 250 pounds.
Airbags Vehicle recall #90V194000 · 1990 · 398 vehicles
What's wrong: The two air bag system front impact sensors May not be secured to their mounting brackets.
Why it matters: 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #91V122000 · 1991 · 130,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Latch May open during accident or sudden stop, exposingseat occupant to increased risk of injury.
The fix: Replace buckle latch engagement.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (25): the most common themes are leaks (5), fire / smoke (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (15): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4), stalls / loses power (2).
- Electrical (13): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), electrical failure (4).
- Airbags (12): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1991 Dodge Spirit has 95 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 8 Spirit model years for complaints (1.8× the average Spirit year). Complaints peaked in 1995 (24 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old. Neighboring years: 1990 (63 complaints, 1 recalls), 1992 (58 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1991 Dodge Spirit.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1991 Dodge Spirit have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1991 Dodge Spirit. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1991 Dodge Spirit problems?
Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (25), transmission & drivetrain (15), electrical (13).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Dodge Spirit get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1991 Dodge Spirit repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.