Engine
2.5L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 66 of 81 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
23 complaint records1 fire report1 crash report
"VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH STALLING BETWEEN 15-40 MPH/ ENGINE JUST DIED OUT. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Electrical system
16 complaint records4 fire reports
"DRIVING AND VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE,TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TOOK KEY OUT. KEY WAS SO HOT THAT DRIVER DROPPED IT. SECOND TIME STARTED THE VEHICLE SMOKE BOILED OUT AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE COLUMN. BATTERY ALSO BLEW UP. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Suspension
15 complaint records
"REAR AXLE TORSION BAR CRACKED, MAKES LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS, COULD FALL COMPLETELY OFF, CAUSING A CRASH. ACCORDING TO BODY SHOP, TORSION BAR NEEDS REPLACING. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP03002 opened May 2003 | closed Jul 2003 | Steering | STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED... |
| PE96008 opened Jan 1996 | closed Jun 1996 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION There is no summary currently available |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999045 1999-03-18 | Emissions | 231 | Certain Spirit and Acclaim with a 2.5 litre flex-fuel engine and Intrepid with a 3.3 litre flex-fuel engine do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1101 - Emission Device. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| R2118796A Feb 2016 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. | |
| 23-014-15 Apr 2015 | Equipment | Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. | |
| 1802002 Jun 2002 | Unknown Or Other | FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC | |
| 0801001 May 2001 | Electrical System | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT | |
| 2100601 Mar 2001 | Power Train | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ |
Show 41 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0800600REV Dec 2000 | Electrical System | SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB | |
| 2300800B Nov 2000 | Seats | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT | |
| 082700 Sep 2000 | Air Bags | SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 230800 Mar 2000 | Seats | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT | |
| 080600 Feb 2000 | Electrical System | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT | |
| 083799 Nov 1999 | Air Bags | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 233599REVA Oct 1999 | Structure | SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS | |
| 210599A Sep 1999 | Power Train | THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY AND INSTALLATION OF A RESUABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET. *TT | |
| 233599 Sep 1999 | Seats | INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT | |
| 210699 Apr 1999 | Vehicle Speed Control | CONDITIONS WITH INTERMITTENT LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL. *TT | |
| 210599 Mar 1999 | Power Train | SUBJECT REGARDING REUSABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET. *TT | |
| 210499 Feb 1999 | Power Train | SERVICE AND PARTS INFORMATION ON 1999 RUNNING CHANGES TO TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) *TT | |
| 7971/7972 Jan 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | FEDERAL AND CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS RECALL REGARDING THE METHANOL CONCENTRATION SENSOR. *TT | |
| 081798 Dec 1998 | Air Bags | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG ON - OFF SWITCHES. *YC | |
| 210798 Apr 1998 | Power Train | SUBJECT ON DELAYED TRANSAXLE ENGAGEMENT. *AK | |
| 081698 Apr 1998 | Equipment | INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK | |
| 4 Oct 1997 | Power Train | CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS RECALL #716 ON REPROGRAMMING THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MOUDLE (PCM). *TT | |
| 970919083297 Sep 1997 | Air Bags | AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *YC | |
| 0832097 Sep 1997 | Electrical System | INFORMATION REGARDING NHTSA AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *NLM | |
| 241197 Jul 1997 | Equipment | CONCERNS WITH A/C EVAPORATOR ODOR. *NLM | |
| 210997 May 1997 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON 41TE/42LE SERVICE INFORMATION. *NLM | |
| 070397 May 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM | |
| 970314210597 Mar 1997 | Power Train | CONDITION WITH TRANAXLE SHUDDER DURING A 3RD GEAR TO 3RD GEAR PARTIAL EMCC ( ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED CONVERTER CLUTCH) ENGAGEMENT, 3RD GEAR PARTIAL EMCC TO 4TH GEAR PARTIAL EMCC ENGAGEMENT, OR 4TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR EMCC ENGAGEMENT. *YC | |
| 210597 Mar 1997 | Power Train | CONCERNS WITH 41TE/42LE TRANSAXLE SHUDDER DURING AN EMCC (ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED CONVERTER CLUTCH) SHIFT. *NLM | |
| 180997 Feb 1997 | Power Train | VEHICLE SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER EMCC (LOCK UP) OPERATION/DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 38. *TW | |
| 230397 Feb 1997 | Structure | DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW | |
| 180597 Feb 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES - INTAKE VALVE DEPOSITS - DRIVEWAY DIE OUT, ROUGH IDLE, LACK OF POWER, SAGS OR HESITATION. *TW | |
| 180197 Jan 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ERRONEOUS MIL ILLUMINATION WITH HEX CODE $2E-EGR SYSTEM FAILURE. *JD | |
| 081695REVA Oct 1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 08-16-95, DATED APR. 14, 1995. IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR **REPEATEDLY** PRESSES AND RELEASES THE SET BUTTON WITH THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR (A 'LIFT FOOT SET' TO BEGIN SPEED CONTROL OPERATION), THE VEHICLE MAY ACCELERATE AND... | |
| CH210695 Jun 1995 | Power Train | UNKNOWN | |
| CH081695 Apr 1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | CRUISE CONTROL OVERSHOOT/UNDERSHOOT DURING INITIAL SET SPEED SELECTION. *TW | |
| 180795A Mar 1995 | Power Train | HARSH TRANSAXLE SHIFTS. *T2W | |
| 090295 Mar 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | TURBO III CYLINDER HEAD CORE PLUG SERVICE/CYLINDER HEAD VALLEY COOLANT LEAK. *TW | |
| 080995 Mar 1995 | Visibility | INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE SWITCHES ON THE RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP SWITCH. *TW | |
| 212794 Feb 1995 | Power Train | MANUAL TRANSAXLE LOCKED IN NEUTRAL OR LOCKED IN REVERSE. *TW | |
| 180795 Feb 1995 | Power Train | HARSH TRANSAXLE SHIFTS. *TW | |
| 210195 Feb 1995 | Power Train | DELAYED TRANSAXLE ENGAGEMENT. *TW | |
| 182294 Dec 1994 | Vehicle Speed Control | HIGHER THAN NORMAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT AT COLD START UP. *TW | |
| 070394A Dec 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF PULLEYS. *TW | |
| 241794 Nov 1994 | Electrical System | PCM NOT PROPERLY DISENGAGING A/C CLUTCH VIA THE RELAY ALSO THE PCM MAY NOT ENERGIZE THE A/C CLUTCH RELAY. *TW | |
| 182694 Jan 1994 | Power Train | IMPROVED TRANSMISSION SHIFT QUALITY. *TW |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Dodge Spirit →