RoadVitals

1987 Dodge Shadow

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest May 18, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 14, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Dodge Shadow, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system538.5%
  • Electrical215.4%
  • Engine215.4%
  • Interior & seats215.4%
  • Seat belts17.7%
  • Transmission17.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08E033000

SUSPENSION

Apr 14, 2008
6,903 units potentially affected
The defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
The risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov
89V038000

PARKING BRAKE

Mar 20, 1989
1,550 units potentially affected
The defect: PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM COMPONENT MAY DISENGAGE.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF PARKING BRAKE FUNCTION;ALSO, LOOSE COMPONENT COULD JAM IN THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY.
The remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY.
SHELBY AUTOMOBILES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V105000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Jul 1, 1988
580,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE91065ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING GEAR BOLTS LOOSEN

Opened Apr 16, 1991
Closed Aug 30, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 12
Engine
Filed May 18, 2002
Fire reported

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*YH

NHTSA ID
785998
Incident
May 12, 2002
Filed Feb 19, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
718970
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 29, 1998

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 ID
780128
Transmission
Filed Mar 3, 1998

TRANSMISSION LURCHES FORWARD WHILE ENGAGING INTO GEAR.

NHTSA ID
531735
Incident
Nov 24, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Sep 18, 1996

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. *AK 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. *SLC

NHTSA ID
802574
Incident
Sep 9, 1996
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 9, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

REAR-ENDED IN ACCIDENT AND BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
986665
Incident
Feb 27, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 20, 1996

ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
504642
Incident
May 20, 1996
Fuel system
Filed May 17, 1996
Fire reported

FUEL IS LEAKING IN THE CARBURETOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
984602
Incident
Feb 13, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Shadow by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999100—
1998100—
1997200—
1996001—
1995102—
1994941357.4
19931071455.5
1992734667.4
1991895568.1
1990402165.5
1989333361.9
1988123361.5
1987Viewing123166.6
1986110—
1985010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.