DodgeSpirit19932.5L L4/dodge/spirit/1993/2-5l-l4/
AA platform

1993 Dodge Spirit — 2.5L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 Spirit 2.5L L4. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.5L L4.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5L L4Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1993 Dodge Spirit is a compact passenger car built on the AA platform and powered by a 2.5‑liter inline‑four that delivers 19/24/21 EPA‑rated mpg in city/highway/combined use, paired with a 3‑speed automatic transmission; it requires 4.5 quarts of oil (15W‑40, 10W‑30 or 5W‑30) with a filter. This model year sits near the middle of the Spirit’s reliability record, with an overall total of 104 owner complaints and the most frequent issue being suspension, while the decade’s complaint range peaked in 1991 and dipped to a single complaint in 1998, indicating a relatively stable reliability profile for the 1993 iteration.

Model year19941993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, spark plug, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04288899 discontinued · alt 04213583AB
Fuel filter04495781 alt 04495409
Spark plug68305411AA discontinued
Front wiper blades4334667 alt 04389350
Serpentine belt04668303 discontinued · alt 04483204
Thermostat04494470 discontinued · alt MD997310

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.1 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2798 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 24 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume97 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Automatic Seat Belt Track (lubricate) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1993 model year sits mid-generation during a period of elevated federal scrutiny, with 104 complaints representing a rebound from 1992’s low of 79 yet remaining below 1991’s peak of 122 and 1994’s subsequent 111. Unlike 1990–1992 and 1994, which carried recalls, the 1993 Spirit recorded zero recalls despite maintaining two investigations and 48 technical service bulletins—continuing the upward TSB trend from 34 in 1990. Federal data identifies suspension (16 complaints), engine and engine cooling (15), and the electrical system (12) as the dominant reported concerns, alongside nine crash-related and four fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Given that complaint volumes remain elevated compared to the generation’s later decline to 51 in 1995, yet the absence of recalls distinguishes it from adjacent model years, 1993 represents a moderate-risk acquisition requiring thorough inspection of suspension and engine components but avoiding the recall exposure of 1991–1992 and 1994.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
48
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
104
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 4 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 104 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension16
Engine & Engine Cooling15
Electrical System12
Power Train7
Exterior Lighting7
Air Bags7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Seats5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Spirit. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1993 Spirit 2.5L L4 take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F 30W SJ, SL, ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40 SJ, SL, ABOVE 0 degrees F 10W-30 SJ, SL, BELOW 32 degrees F 5W-30 SJ, SL, BELOW 100 degrees F 5W-30 SJ, SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 1993 Spirit have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L L4 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.