RoadVitals

1992 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.
73
Latest Mar 9, 2015
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.
4
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.
6
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.
17
9 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 73 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Dodge Shadow, most frequently naming the interior & seats, airbags and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 35 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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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 73
Electrical
Filed Mar 9, 2015

TL*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 ID
10692976
Incident
Feb 5, 2000
Mileage
20,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 17, 2014

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. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, I HAD NOTICED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM WAS STILL FAILING TO LOCK INTO POSITION. I HAD MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO HER. BUT, SHE INSISTED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD TOLD HER THAT THEY HAD SERVICED THE SEAT LOCKS ACCORDING TO RECALL DIRECTIVES. (FAST FORWARD TO YEAR 2014): MY FRIEND HAS GIVEN THIS VEHICLE TO ME. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SEAT LOCKS WOULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CAR EVER GOT INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF DODGE HEADQUARTERS. THEY RESPONDED BY STATING THAT I SHOULD BRING THIS MATTER TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I THEN BROUGHT THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF A LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP. THE LOCAL DODGE SERVICE REP HAD TOLD ME THAT, DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR, DODGE IS NO LONGER OBLIGATED TO REMEDY THE PREVIOUSLY-BOTCHED RECALL SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10625807
Incident
Aug 16, 2014
Mileage
145,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 5, 2002

MATERIAL FAILURE ON FRONT TIRES IDENTICAL TO THOSE ON SUV'S. TIRES PURCHASED IN 1999.*AK

NHTSA ID
762699
Incident
May 29, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 8, 2002

WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE REVS AND WILL NOT STOP, REVWING UP TO A HIGHER SPEED, EVEN AFTER RELEASING PRESSURE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO KEEP ENGINE FROM REVVING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8005176
Brakes
Filed Feb 13, 2002
Fire reported

DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. NLM

NHTSA ID
8004031
Incident
Feb 13, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 18, 2001
1 injury reported

THE PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT HOLDS UP THE TRUNK STOPPED WORKING. NOW THE TRUNK WILL NOT STAY OPEN AND SEVERAL INJURIES HAVE HAPPENED FROM THE TRUNK SLAMMING DOWN ON PEOPLE'S HEADS AND HANDS.*AK

NHTSA ID
744234
Incident
Jun 1, 1994
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 11, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
743888
Incident
Apr 11, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 30, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUT IN UNDERDASH WIRE HARNESS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AT THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
874119

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
1992Viewing734667.4
1991895568.1
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.