Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Dodge Spirit, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 8 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 12% |
| Suspension | 5 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Steering | 3 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I HAVE A 1995 DODGE SPIRIT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO THERE STARTED TO BE A SHAKE ON THE FRONT END. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID ITS SOMETHING WITH THE AXLE. I TALKED TO A FRIEND TONIGHT WHO HAS A 1995 ACCLAIM, WHICH IS B
NHTSA complaint: Power train
1995 DODGE SPIRIT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE INNER TORSION BAR.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WELDED, BUT IT DID NOT HOLD FOR LONG AND NOW THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN M
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
1995 DODGE SPIRIT HAS A DEFECTIVE TRAILING ARM ASSEMBLY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TRAILING ARM WAS WELDED. THE WELD DID NOT HOLD LONG AND BROKE CAUSING A LOUD POP WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS CHANGING LANES INTO MY LANE. I HIT THE BRAKES AND PUSHED ON THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE HORN DID NOT SOUND. AFTER THE INCICENT, I REMEMBERED THAT THE HORN IS A SMALL BUTTON IN AN INCONV
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TORQUE TUBE CRACKS INSIDE OF WELD ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH WEAKENS THE TRAILING ARM. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM *TT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
CONSUMER STATED THE TORQUE TUBE CRACKS INSIDE OF WELD ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH WEAKENS THE TRAILING ARM. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM *TT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING 20MPH AND CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE VEHICLE LEAKED GASOLINE DUE TO FUEL LINE BEING ABRADED BY FRICTION. *YH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 8 of them (16%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.