Dodge Shadow Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 460 consumer complaints across the 8 model years of the Dodge Shadow (1987–1994) that have at least 5 complaints. 1993 has the most, with 107. Across all years, the part named most often is seats (65 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Shadow model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 94 | 108,500 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 107 | 120,000 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 73 | 82,500 | 4 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 89 | — | 5 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 40 | 111,632 | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 33 | — | 2 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 12 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 12 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Seats65 17%
- Air bags65 17%
- Engine cooling64 16%
- Transmission and drivetrain54 14%
- Electrical system44 11%
- Body and structure36 9.2%
- Seat belts32 8.2%
- Suspension30 7.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1992: “The recall repair on this vehicle was incorrectly performed. I am friend of the original owner of this car. She had purchased this car when it was new. From day one, I had noticed that the seats in her car were not locking into position when front passenger and driver were seated. Several years later (1999?), Dodge had issued a recall on her car. They said that the seats had a problem with the locking mechanism. My friend brought her car into the dealership for the recall service on her seats. Several months later, I had noticed that the lock mechanism was still failing to lock into position. …”
NHTSA complaint #10625807, filed 2014-08, 145,000 miles1994: “While driving southbound on I-85 in carnesville, ga, I heard a loud noise coming from the back right of my car. I looked back and saw smoke coming from the direction of my back right tire. I began to slow my car by letting off the gas. At this time my car began to swerve out of control, first veering right. I tried to redirect the car back to the road as it was heading towards some trees. The car the swerved out of control to the left causing my car to go toward the median of the interstate. It hit a patch of mud and grass, which caused the car to flip. …”
NHTSA complaint #10333923, filed 2010-05, 151,250 miles1993: “Dt: caller's -husband purchased daughter a used car. The wiring on the car caught on fire, and the fumes and the smoke almost killed her. She had the car for 1 month when the plastic started bubbling and melting while daughter was driving on the interstate. This happened in the rear of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10125083, filed 2005-06, 100,000 milesOther Dodge models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology