1992 Dodge Shadow Problems
- Complaints
- 73filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 82,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns 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, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Dodge Shadow (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints about the 1992 Dodge Shadow center on the front seats: owners describe seat backs that do not lock upright or whose lower attaching bolt breaks, and many of these tie back to recall campaigns for the seat recliner hardware. Air bag concerns are the second theme, split between bags that did not deploy in a crash and bags that deployed only partially. Steering wheel and column recalls, door hinges, rear axle or transmission problems and scattered electrical faults appear less often in the sample.
- Seats
Seat back will not lock or the seat back bolt breaks
- 14 complaints (19%)
- median 145,000 mi at 22.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2014
Owners describe front seat backs that will not stay locked upright, move forward when a rear passenger pushes on them, or whose lower attaching bolt broke on the driver's side. Several complaints are about getting the seat recliner recall work done: owners say they called the dealer repeatedly and were not given an appointment, and one owner reports the recall repair was performed but the seat still would not lock into position afterward. Reported across a wide mileage range in the sample, including one vehicle at about 145,000 miles.
Recall 99V212000Recall 97V078000
What to check: Ask whether the seat recliner recalls (99V212000 and 97V078000) were completed, and have the repair verified in writing. Sit in each front seat and try to rock the seat back with the seat locked to see whether it holds.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10625807, filed 2014-08, 145,000 miles“Received six manufacturer's recalls on seatback bolt. Consumer contacted dealer in their area since 21 nov 1998 for a appointment. No one called back.received another recall notice, and again contacted the same dealer. Was told someone will called back to schedule an appointment. Again no one called back. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #841750, filed 1999-07 - Air bags
Air bag did not deploy or deployed partially
- 12 complaints (16%)
- typically at 5.0 yrs old
- 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2000
Complaints describe frontal collisions in which the driver's air bag did not deploy, and one case where the bag came out but did not inflate fully because of a hole, letting gas into the passenger compartment. Another owner reports the air bag material coming out of the module on its own, and one notes the air bag warning light stayed on while the dealer said the bag would not deploy. No clear mileage pattern in the sample; reports span normal driving and crash situations.
What to check: Check that the air bag warning light behaves normally at start-up and ask whether the bag or module has ever been serviced or replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Driver of vehicle hit a deer. Then ran off the road and hit a tree head-on at about 40mph. Upon impact, driver's side airbag came out and did not inflate fully due to a hole in airbag. Gas escaped into the passenger's compartment. Dealer has vehicle now.”
NHTSA complaint #854001, filed 2000-01“While driving apprx.55-65 MPH consumer swerved to avoid object in road, vehicle skidded, consumer lost control of steering, applied brakes but car continued to skid then hit head-on into a ditch bank. The air bag never deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #811083, filed 1997-04 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission will not engage or rear axle noise
- 5 complaints (7%)
- typically at 4.1 yrs old
- filed 1995–2000
Owners describe the automatic transmission failing or not engaging when shifting from park into reverse or drive, with one reporting the transmission replaced multiple times. Related complaints mention rear axle support rods breaking and the axle moving in turns, producing a grinding noise. One complaint notes failures at roughly 50,000-mile intervals on a vehicle around 100,000 miles.
What to check: Test shifts into every gear from a cold start and listen for grinding or clunks from the rear while turning at low speed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“L/r rear axles had a channel support rod, where welded, had broken. Driving up driveway (5 MPH) when axles broke; vehicle still drivable but makes grinding noise; took to dealer & was informed entire l/r rear axle has to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #811966, filed 1997-05“When attempting to place vehicle from park to reverse or drive vehicle will not engage into the selected gear. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced transmission three times. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #869355, filed 2000-09
Buying note. Because much of what owners report here ties to open or completed safety recalls, check the VIN with a dealer for seat recliner and steering recalls before buying and get proof of any repair. A careful test of the seats, door hinges, steering and transmission during a test drive will show whether the car has the problems owners describe.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 35 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 73 consumer complaints for the 1992 Dodge Shadow. 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,500 miles. Of all complaints, 14 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Seats19 26%
- Air bags12 16%
- Electrical system7 9.6%
- Body and structure6 8.2%
- Engine cooling5 6.9%
- Brakes4 5.5%
- Steering4 5.5%
- Suspension4 5.5%
- Equipment2 2.7%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (2), Other or unknown (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Fuel system (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Seats: “Received six manufacturer's recalls concerning seatback bolt failure. Been waiting for an appointment since 21 of november, 98. Again contacted dealer and informed him of an appointment needed for recall repairs. Dealer stated again that they would call consumer back with an appointment. Still not received an appointment.”
NHTSA complaint #841802, filed 1999-07Air bags: “The air bag light is illuminated, indicating that the air bag could deploy. Dealer states that this is not a problem or dangerous, it means that the air bag will not deploy. Please give further details.”
NHTSA complaint #807516, filed 1997-01Electrical system: “The contact owns a 1992 Dodge Shadow. The contact stated that the ignition switch stayed in the acc position and was difficult to turn over into an on and off position. The contact mentioned that while driving the key fell out and the vehicle was still in motion. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10692976, filed 2015-03, 20,000 milesBody and structure: “Consumer states that the passenger door on vehicle fell off the top. Hinges . Before incident door was very difficult to shut.. Dealer could not help.”
NHTSA complaint #814088, filed 1997-07Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 145,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1992 Dodge Shadow. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow · sedan | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 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 | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Shadow FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Shadow FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Shadow FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Shadow Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Shadow Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Shadow Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Shadow Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Shadow Convertible FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Shadow Convertible FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
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
- 99V212000Aug 6, 1999Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCovers: Dodge Shadow 1991–1994, Plymouth Sundance 1991–1994
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver seat can fail and separate.
- 97V078000May 10, 1997Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCovers: Dodge Shadow 1991–1992, Plymouth Sundance 1991–1992
The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver's seat can fail and separate.
- 96V229000Nov 18, 1996Steering › Steering wheel/handle barCovers: Dodge Shadow 1991–1992, Caravan 1991–1992, Plymouth Voyager 1991–1992 +4 more
The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
- 92V015000Feb 14, 1992Steering › Steering wheel/handle barCovers: Dodge Shadow 1992, Caravan 1992, Plymouth Acclaim 1992 +10 more
The zinc plating operation performed on the upper steering column shaft coupling bolt caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.
Recall details for the 1992 Dodge Shadow → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA95017Seat back bolt failureClosed · May 31, 1995
- PE95002Seat back failureClosed · Jan 13, 1995
- PE94069Interior firesClosed · Sep 14, 1994
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1992 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
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Dodge Shadow?
Complaints about the 1992 Dodge Shadow center on the front seats: owners describe seat backs that do not lock upright or whose lower attaching bolt breaks, and many of these tie back to recall campaigns for the seat recliner hardware. The issues reported most often: Seat back will not lock or the seat back bolt breaks; Air bag did not deploy or deployed partially; Transmission will not engage or rear axle noise.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Dodge Shadow have?
NHTSA recorded 73 consumer complaints for the 1992 Dodge Shadow as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Dodge Shadow is reported most often?
Seats is named most often, in 19 complaints (26% of the total), followed by air bags with 12.
Has the 1992 Dodge Shadow been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Dodge Shadow get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Dodge Shadow (Shadow, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Dodge Shadow reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,500 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 145,000 miles; 50% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.