1991 Dodge Shadow Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Dodge Shadow, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Interior & seats1716.7%
- Airbags1413.7%
- Engine109.8%
- Body & structure98.8%
- Electrical98.8%
- Steering87.8%
- Driver assistance76.9%
- Brakes76.9%
- Seat belts65.9%
- Transmission43.9%
- Suspension32.9%
- Visibility22.0%
- Fuel system22.0%
- Powertrain (other)22.0%
- Exterior lighting11.0%
- Heating & air conditioning11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DAIMLER-CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A RECALL (#729) ON DODGE SHADOWS INVOLVING THE BOLT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN ON 10/12/00 TO CRYSTAL AUTO MALL AT 220 RTE. 22 WEST, GREEN BROOK, NJ TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY TOOK THE CAR IN WHILE I WAITED, AND BROUGHT IT OUT AFTER 20 MINUTES, GAVE ME A RECEIPT AND TOLD ME THE JOB WAS DONE. TODAY, IT IS 10/21/00 AND I DECIDED TO LOOK AT THE REPLACEMENT BOLT ONLY TO FIND THAT THE ORIGINAL IS STILL IN IT'S PLACE. I WAS ISSUED A RECEIPT, AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. CLEARLY, I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF FRAUD FROM A VERY LARGE AUTO DEALER WHO HAS COMPROMISED MY SAFETY, MY FAMILY'S SAFETY, AND THOSE ON THE ROADS WHO MIGHT COLLIDE WITH ME IF THE RECALLED ITEM WERE TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE STUPIDITY AND NEGLIGENCE OF AN AUTO DEALER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND IF YOU NEED YOU CAN CALL ME OR MY SON HUGO CAPELLO AT WORK AT (732) 667-2081. THANK YOU.
CONSUMER WAS CHARGED DURING RECALL REPAIR (99V-212). MJS
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED 3X AND DECREASED SPEED. ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING 4X. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED.
VEHICLE FLOODS ITS SELF AND SHUTS DOWN AT WILL. DEALER CLAIMS PROBLEM CAN'T BE REPAIRED. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TOP LEAKS WATER BAD WHEN I WASH THE CAR OR IT RAINS.IT GOES DOWN THE WINDOWS AND ON TO THE SEATS IN FRONT.*AK
CONVERTIBLE TOP IS LEAKING. IN THE SUMMER MONTHS DURING HOT WEATHER THE SEALS SHRINKS, AND THEY DON'T MET TO KEEP WATER FROM COMING IN OVER THE DOOR.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
LIGHTER FLIES OUT OF IT'S CASING WHEN HOT. NLM
I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PIECE OF CRAP CAR. FIRST THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AND THEN PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE CYLINDERS AND NOW I HAVE SOME SORT OF SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE CAR THAT CAUSES THE RADIO TO GO OUT. I NOTICED THE TACHOMETER WAS JUMPING UP TO LIKE 5000RPM BY ITSELF AND THEN IT WOULD DROP TO ZERO. THIS HAPPENED FOR A WHILE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RADIO GOES OUT AND SO DOES EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT FUSE. I PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUSE 15 TIMES UNTIL I TOOK A AMPERAGE READING WITH A MULTIMETER AND FOUND THAT 35 AMPS WAS FLOWING TO THAT FUSE THAT WAS BLOWING. THE NORMAL AMPERAGE IS 7 AMPS. FINALLY THE FUSE TOOK AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OUT IT WENT AGAIN. SO I FIGURE A SHORT SOMEWHERE. MY FUEL SYSTEM IS ACTING UP ALSO. I HAD MY SYSTEM CLEANED AND IT STILL STALLS AND HESITATES. I WRIT ONLY BECAUSE MY UNCLE OWNS THE SAME CAR AND HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL INJECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION. CHRYSLER CORP WAS NO HELP. SURE THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR TONS OF CASH BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
STEERING COLUMN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL, REPAIR CAUSED STEERING COLUMN TO LOOSEN/AIRBAG TO FAIL.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP AND HIT BRAKES, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PIECE OF CRAP CAR. FIRST THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AND THEN PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE CYLINDERS AND NOW I HAVE SOME SORT OF SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE CAR THAT CAUSES THE RADIO TO GO OUT. I NOTICED THE TACHOMETER WAS JUMPING UP TO LIKE 5000RPM BY ITSELF AND THEN IT WOULD DROP TO ZERO. THIS HAPPENED FOR A WHILE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RADIO GOES OUT AND SO DOES EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT FUSE. I PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUSE 15 TIMES UNTIL I TOOK A AMPERAGE READING WITH A MULTIMETER AND FOUND THAT 35 AMPS WAS FLOWING TO THAT FUSE THAT WAS BLOWING. THE NORMAL AMPERAGE IS 7 AMPS. FINALLY THE FUSE TOOK AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OUT IT WENT AGAIN. SO I FIGURE A SHORT SOMEWHERE. MY FUEL SYSTEM IS ACTING UP ALSO. I HAD MY SYSTEM CLEANED AND IT STILL STALLS AND HESITATES. I WRIT ONLY BECAUSE MY UNCLE OWNS THE SAME CAR AND HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL INJECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION. CHRYSLER CORP WAS NO HELP. SURE THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR TONS OF CASH BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.
VEHICLE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE FAN SENSOR FAILED CAUSING ENGINE HEAD TO CRACK.
HEARD A SQUEAKY NOISE, REAR TORSION BAR BROKE. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAIL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRICAL WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP/DOWN WHEN BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. I'S A DESIGN FLAW INSIDE WINDOWN BRACKET TRACTS. IT CAUSES THE TRACTS TO BREAK. WEAR & TEAR HAS DEVELOPED. TOOK TO DEALER & PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BY MECHANIC. NOW PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED. *AK
REAR WINDOW CLOUDS UP BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PIECE OF CRAP CAR. FIRST THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AND THEN PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE CYLINDERS AND NOW I HAVE SOME SORT OF SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE CAR THAT CAUSES THE RADIO TO GO OUT. I NOTICED THE TACHOMETER WAS JUMPING UP TO LIKE 5000RPM BY ITSELF AND THEN IT WOULD DROP TO ZERO. THIS HAPPENED FOR A WHILE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RADIO GOES OUT AND SO DOES EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT FUSE. I PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUSE 15 TIMES UNTIL I TOOK A AMPERAGE READING WITH A MULTIMETER AND FOUND THAT 35 AMPS WAS FLOWING TO THAT FUSE THAT WAS BLOWING. THE NORMAL AMPERAGE IS 7 AMPS. FINALLY THE FUSE TOOK AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OUT IT WENT AGAIN. SO I FIGURE A SHORT SOMEWHERE. MY FUEL SYSTEM IS ACTING UP ALSO. I HAD MY SYSTEM CLEANED AND IT STILL STALLS AND HESITATES. I WRIT ONLY BECAUSE MY UNCLE OWNS THE SAME CAR AND HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL INJECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION. CHRYSLER CORP WAS NO HELP. SURE THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR TONS OF CASH BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REPEATED FAILURE OF ALTERNATOR BELT POSSIBLY DUE TO WRONG SIZE INDICATED IN MECHANIC'S MANUAL USED TO REPAIR.
DOORS IMPLODED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C REPLACED FIVE TIMES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .