RoadVitals

1991 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.
89
Latest Mar 17, 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.
5
Latest Aug 6, 1999
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.
5
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.
21
18 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 89 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Dodge Shadow, most frequently naming the interior & seats, airbags and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 25 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
99V212000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Aug 6, 1999
227,283 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
The risk: IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH BOLT THAT INCLUDES A SELF LOCKING NYLON PATCH.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number 729View on NHTSA.gov
97V078000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

May 10, 1997
148,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
The risk: IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH BOLT THAT INCLUDES A SELF LOCKING NYLON PATCH.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
96V229000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Nov 18, 1996
675,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
The risk: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE96036ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITION

Opened May 14, 1996
Closed Oct 31, 1996

UNCONTROLLED ENGINE SPEED CONDITION RESULTS FRO THROTTLE SHAFT BINDING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE96008ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION

Opened Jan 25, 1996
Closed Jun 28, 1996

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
EA95029ClosedEngineering Analysis

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened Sep 26, 1995
Closed Nov 13, 1996

AFTER AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS, CHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT AS A FATIGUE FAILURE, ORIGINATION IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE PROJECTION WELDS OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB TO STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE ATTACHMENT.THE HUB IS THE PORTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY THAT CONNECTS IT TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND IS ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY BY 4 WELDS.IF CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE WELDS AND PROPAGATE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE TO EACH OF THE WELDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN SEPARATE FROM THE HUB.THIS IS A SLOW PROGRESSIVE FAILURE WHICH NORMALLY OCCURS AT HIGH MILEAGE.IN SOME CASES COMPLAINANTS HAVE REPORTED A LOOSENESS OR WOBBLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL PRIOR TO SEPARATION.TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT, CHRYSLER WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEELS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE HUB AREA.IF ANY CRACKS ARE FOUND, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE REPLACED.ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE REINFORCING PLATES INSTALLED WHICH WOULD PREVENT A STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION SHOULD CRACKING OCCUR.

STEERINGLed to recall 96V229000
EA95017ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BACK BOLT FAILURE

Opened May 31, 1995
Closed May 19, 1997

THE DRIVER SEAT BACK CAN COLLAPSE WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE LOWER BOLT (ONE OF TWO BOLTS THAT SUPPORTS THE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY) CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK

SEATSLed to recall 97V078000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 89
Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2004

CONTAMINATED BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH WOULD COST $800-$1500. TO REPAIR. *PH THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS HOLDING THEM UP AT LOWER SPEEDS. BOTH SERVICE FACILITIES STATED THE WRONG OIL WAS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM INSTEAD OF BRAKE FLUID. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. *SC

NHTSA ID
10065116
Incident
Jun 28, 2003
Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2003

PROBLEMS WITH 1991 DODGE SHADOW. PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES AT LOWER SPEEDS.*MR TWO DIFFERENT CERTIFIED MECHANICS STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSHED, AND TIRE ROTATION. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10034526
Airbags
Filed Mar 19, 2003
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10012122
Incident
Mar 19, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Jun 4, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING WAS INVOLVED IN IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SNAPPED IN HALF, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010981
Airbags
Filed Jun 4, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED BODILY INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
8010980
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 15, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HAD SLOWED DOWN, CONSUMER APPLIED ACCELERATOR AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKES DIDNOT STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING, HITTING VEHICLES AND A GAS PUMP. VEHICLE TOTALED, DRIVER INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8007595
Incident
Mar 16, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 22, 2001

I HAVE OBSERVED THAT EVERY DODGE SHADOW HAS CLOUDY HEADLIGHT COVERS WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE EFFETIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. . OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THE GLASS SEALED BEAMS WITH THE OPAQUE AND CLOUDY PLASTIC HEADLIGHT BEAMS B

NHTSA ID
748924
Airbags
Filed May 7, 2001
Crash reported

WAS TRAVLING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN CROSSING INTO A NOTHER LANE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID
887591
Incident
May 5, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

0801001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT

2100601

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

2300800B

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

082700

AIR BAGS

SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT

230800

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1991Viewing895568.1
1990402165.5
1989333361.9
1988123361.5
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.