1994 Dodge Spirit recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORS (BUCKLE LOCK BARS) DO NOT MEET THE STATIC LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
What could happen: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL, EXPOSING THE RESTRAINED OCCUPANTS TO A GREATER RISK OF INJURY.
The fix: THE TRAVELING SAFETY BELT LOCK BAR ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED ON THESE VEHICLES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1994 SPIRIT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V023000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORS (BUCKLE LOCK BARS) DO NOT MEET THE STATIC LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL, EXPOSING THE RESTRAINED OCCUPANTS TO A GREATER RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: THE TRAVELING SAFETY BELT LOCK BAR ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED ON THESE VEHICLES.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; ACTIVE RESTRAINTS; BELTS ANCHORS AND ATTACHMENTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-992-1997. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1994 Dodge Spirit owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (16), Transmission / drivetrain (16), Electrical system (11), Engine (10), Suspension (10).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/22/2008 · Engine · fire
1994 DODGE SPIRIT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. CONSUMER STATES HE PULLED OVER WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. *KB THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-0372-91
04/10/2008 · Seat belts
HAVE GEN 3 SEATBELT, UNSAFE, COULD UNLATCH IN A CAR ACCIDENT. CAN ALSO BE PUSHED INTO A FALSE HOLE CAUSING A FALSE LATCH. *TR
11/27/2003 · Body / structure
WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OUR PURCHASE OF THIS USED CAR IN 1999, THE PAINT WENT VERY FLAT AND THE CLEAR COAT STARTED FLAKING OFF IN LARGE CHUNKS. THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE LEPROSY. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE DEALER "DETAILED" THE CAR FOR SELLING AS THE PAINT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED FOR US THAT QUICKLY. IN FACT, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE TIMING W…
11/27/2003 · Suspension
FOR OVER A YEAR, WE KEPT HEARING A METAL ON METAL THUNKING NOISE. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT. TWO DAYS AGO, WHEN RETURNING HOME, WE HEARD A LOUD METALLIC THUNKING NOISE THAT WAS MUCH WORSE THAN PREVIOUSLY HEARD. IT SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE DRAGGING A TAIL PIPE OR MUFFLER. YET, WE FOUND NOTHING UNDER THE CAR. WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE JACKED UP THE CAR…
11/27/2003 · Transmission / drivetrain
SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS USED CAR FROM A DEALER IN 1999, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SLIP. WE COMPLAINED, BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. IN 2001, WE TOOK THE CAR TO YET ANOTHER DODGE DEALER. AT THIS TIME, THE CAR HAD 80,000 MILES ON IT. THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED A COMPLETE OVERHAUL. IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY, THE PRICE THEY QUOTED WAS $1,800.…
08/07/2003 · Body / structure
WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT BROKE. VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL CRACKING WHERE THE CAB MOUNTS TO THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES. *NLM *CB *JB
01/30/2003 · Fuel system
FUEL SMELL SEEPS ONTO THE CAR WHEN HEAT IS ON. DEALER STATES THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR IS LEAKING, BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
12/09/2002 · Airbags · crash · fire
CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH IN RESULT OF A VEHICLE CRASH CONSUMER AIR BAG DEPLOY AND CAUGHT PASSENGER COAT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH