1987 Dodge Shadow Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Dodge Shadow (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1987 Dodge Shadow. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine cooling (2). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system5 42%
- Electrical system2 17%
- Engine cooling2 17%
- Seats2 17%
- Other or unknown1 8.3%
- Seat belts1 8.3%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Fuel injectors failed, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. Dealer had replaced the ECM and the wiring harness connector, the dealer found recall 88v105 regarding the fuel system, however found this vehicle's VIN was not included.”
NHTSA complaint #802574, filed 1996-09Electrical system: “Engine light stays on, and if it is not on, the car doesn't want to run. When it is on, it runs sluggish. Also replaced ignition plugs/rotor/caps and fuel filter.”
NHTSA complaint #780128, filed 1998-07Seats: “Failure on the driver side seat, the consumer was involved in a rear end collison and the driver side seat reclined to the rear of the vehicle, also broke.”
NHTSA complaint #982439, filed 1996-04Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Dodge Shadow version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V038000Mar 20, 1989Parking brakeCovers: Dodge Shadow 1987, Lancer 1987
Parking brake mechanism component may disengage.
- 88V105000Jul 1, 1988Fuel system, gasolineCovers: Dodge Shadow 1985–1987, 600 1985–1987, Chrysler NEW Yorker 1985–1987 +8 more
Fuel leakage may occur in low ambient temperature operation at connections of an engine compartment fuel supply hose to the pressure regulator and to the fuel rail.
Recall details for the 1987 Dodge Shadow → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Dodge Shadow.
Other model years of the Dodge Shadow
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 94 | 108,500 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 107 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 73 | 82,500 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 89 | — | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 40 | 111,632 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 33 | — | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 12 | — | 2 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 12 | — | 2 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge Shadow model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Dodge Shadow have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1987 Dodge Shadow as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Dodge Shadow is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1987 Dodge Shadow been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Dodge Shadow get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Dodge Shadow (Shadow, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.