RoadVitals

1988 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 Aug 6, 2004
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.
3
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Dodge Shadow, most frequently naming the seat belts, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name 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

  • Seat belts633.3%
  • Powertrain (other)316.7%
  • Engine316.7%
  • Steering211.1%
  • Transmission15.6%
  • Heating & air conditioning15.6%
  • Interior & seats15.6%
  • Brakes15.6%

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
92V053000

SEAT BELTS

Apr 13, 1992
115,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS CAN MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
The risk: SEAT OCCUPANTS WITHOUT SHOULDER RESTRAINTS ARE SUBJECT TOINCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: REPLACE THE SYSTEM DRIVE AND RAIL ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED COMPONENTS.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
88V129000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Aug 1, 1988
6,500 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LAP BELT RETRACTOR, WHICH INCORPORATES A CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKING FEATURE, MAY MALFUNCTION.
The risk: SEAT BELT LOCK WOULD EXTRACT AND CHILD SEAT MAY MOVE OUTOF ITS RESTRAINED POSITION.
The remedy: REPLACE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LAP RETRACTOR WITH A REDESIGNED RETRACTOR.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA91043ClosedEngineering Analysis

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE

Opened Oct 30, 1991
Closed Apr 20, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 92V053000
PE91082ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE

Opened Jun 5, 1991
Closed Oct 30, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
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
Steering
Filed Aug 6, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND, WHO WAS MECHANIC, FOUND THAT RACK AND PINION WAS MISSING ONE MOUNTING BOLT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS LOOSE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10087378
Incident
Aug 6, 2004
BrakesHeating & air conditioningEngine+4 more
Filed Aug 16, 2001

TRANSMISSION FAILED, ENGINE FAILED AT 69,000 MILES, EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BAR BROKE AT 52,000 MILES , OUTER TIEROD ENDS REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES, LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FAILED AT 10,000 MILES, ENGINE THERMOSTAT FAILED AT 12,000 MILES, AIR CONDITIONING BELT IDLER FAILED AT 17,000, AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR AND EVAPORATOR FAILED AT 67,000 MILES, RECALL ON DRIVERS SEAT BACK RETAINING BOLT... CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT ONE PROBLEMS.......WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE........*AK

NHTSA ID
750568
Incident
Aug 15, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Aug 5, 1997
1 injury reported

SEAT BELTS FAILED ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING AN INJURY.

NHTSA ID
520582
Incident
Jul 16, 1997
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 1996

ODOMETER FRAUD. *SD

NHTSA ID
506311
Incident
Jul 8, 1996
Seat belts
Filed May 28, 1996

THE FRONT PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM DOESN'T OPERATE OR RETRACT PROPERLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
984920
Incident
Mar 23, 1994
Seat belts
Filed Dec 19, 1995

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE, PROBLEM OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER, DEALER IS LUBRICATING BELT BUT DOESN'T CORRECT PROBLEM. TT

NHTSA ID
976818
Incident
Dec 19, 1995
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 1995

THE ENGINE GASKET WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES AND THE WHOLE HEAD WAS CRACKED. TT

NHTSA ID
972101
Seat belts
Filed Aug 29, 1995

ALL THREE SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN THE REAR ARE DEFECT . TT

NHTSA ID
971225
Incident
Jul 1, 1995

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
1988Viewing123361.5
1987123166.6
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.