AI Damage1989 Dodge Spirit: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Dodge Spirit filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 24% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (24% of all).
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (24% of all).
- Suspension: 3 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Odometer quit working but speedometer still works, need odometer for update on state inspection.
Consumer states vehicle would accelerate intermittently while driving. Vehicle taken to the dealer and informed that the problem was the idle control motor. Nlm
Rear suspension has a hairline crack which causes the rear end to drop. Please provide further information.
467. Consumer has defective engine gaskets that leak all around the valve cover. Dealer contacted, and vehicle does not comply to recall due to vin. Problems still exists. Provide further information.
When parked on an incline vehicle will not shift from park unless driver starts engine and presses the emergency brake, and then shifts it into park. When releasing the emergency brake would have to try taking it out of park at the same time, or if someone rocks vehicle from the back.
In addition, engine leaking oil from somewhere, and there is a new spot under the car on the floor with oil.
The rear axle shaft broke, the rod assembly makes a loud noise , contact dealership no parts available, cannot drive vehicle.
Floor shift lever will not lock when in park, caused vehicle to roll bacxkwards.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,077 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Spirit has 49 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 21, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Dodge Spirit?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, suspension. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (10%), headlights and tail lights (5%), oil leak or consumption (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Dodge Spirit?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Dodge Spirit from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.