1990 Dodge Shadow Problems
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 111,632miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- 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 1990 Dodge Shadow (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1990 Dodge Shadow. The part named most often is air bags, with 15 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine cooling (9) and electrical system (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 111,632 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 10 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Air bags15 38%
- Engine cooling9 23%
- Electrical system4 10%
- Exterior lighting3 7.5%
- Steering3 7.5%
- Suspension3 7.5%
- Brakes2 5.0%
- Vehicle speed control2 5.0%
- Seat belts1 2.5%
Also reported: Seats (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “My daughter hit a pot hole, her air bag deployed giving her a very bruised face, swollen, black eye, numerous scratches and cuts and a burned hand. Her car is not damaged at all except for the air bag being deployed. Emergency room doctors say this never should have happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10047011, filed 2003-11, 111,632 milesEngine cooling: “Recall 89v237000/ engine:gasket:valve cover: vehicle caught on fire while traveling at 25 MPH under the hood, local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. Dealer was notified, and informed that vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's recall. Please feel free to provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #874405, filed 2000-11Electrical system: “After numerous repairs the air bag sensor light would intermittently come back on. Dealer traced cause to three burned wires located in steering column; also, consumer complained that charges were added on each time she had to bring vehicle back to dealer for repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #828275, filed 1998-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 111,632 and 111,632 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 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 | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 21 | 19 | $4,350 |
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
- 89V237000Dec 27, 1989Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: Dodge Shadow 1989–1990, Plymouth Voyager 1989–1990, Dodge Caravan 1989–1990 +12 more
The engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.
Recall details for the 1990 Dodge Shadow → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA93009Steering wheel separationClosed · Apr 21, 1993
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Dodge Shadow have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1990 Dodge Shadow as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Dodge Shadow is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 15 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 9.
Has the 1990 Dodge Shadow been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Dodge Shadow get?
The EPA rates the 1990 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Dodge Shadow reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 111,632 miles and the middle half falls between 111,632 and 111,632 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.