1992 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 1992 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 & seats2228.9%
- Airbags1215.8%
- Electrical810.5%
- Body & structure67.9%
- Engine56.6%
- Steering45.3%
- Transmission45.3%
- Suspension45.3%
- Brakes45.3%
- Visibility22.6%
- Powertrain (other)22.6%
- Tires & wheels11.3%
- Fuel system11.3%
- Driver assistance11.3%
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
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
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER OF VEHICLE HIT A DEER. THEN RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD-ON AT ABOUT 40MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG CAME OUT AND DID NOT INFLATE FULLY DUE TO A HOLE IN AIRBAG. GAS ESCAPED INTO THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. *AK
WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID'NT DEPLOY PROPERLY. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
IGNITION EXPERIENCED LOCKS UP CAUSING KEY TO NOT TURN. ONCE CONSUMER GET KEY TO TURN THE STARTER WON'T WORK. *YC
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
PAINT IS WHITE IN COLOR. PAINT LIFTS OFF OF CAR, LOOKS LIKE NO RESIDUE UNDER PEELING PAINT. *AK
PAINT IS PEELING AND DEFECTIVE. *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
IGNITION EXPERIENCED LOCKS UP CAUSING KEY TO NOT TURN. ONCE CONSUMER GET KEY TO TURN THE STARTER WON'T WORK. *YC
A PART OF THE EMISSION SYSTEM CAME OFF CAUSING BLOCKAGE WITHIN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER, CAUSING POOR ACCELERATION. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING SHAFT FAILED.
JUST NOW RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. ACCIDENT OCCURRED PRIOR TO RECALL. RECALL 96V229000.
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
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE VEHICLE FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO THE SELECTED GEAR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TOTAL MALFUNCTION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 50K INTERVALS ( VEHICLE HAS 100K). TT
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
WHILE DRIVING 35MPH REAR END LET LOOSE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK
TRAILING ARM CRACKED.
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
DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. NLM
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL RELEASED BY ITSELF ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR UNKNOWN REASON. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *SLC
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
ORIGINAL PAINT IS PEELING OFF BODY DUE TO ERRORS AT THE FACTORY. WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CRACK AND WE WERE INFORMED BY INSTALLER THAT IT MAY LEAK OR COME LOOSE IN A CRASH AS THE PAINT IS LOOSE AND THE SEALANT HAS NOTHING TO ADHERE TO.
THE SIDE WINDOW IS RUSTING . TT CONSUMER STATES THE DESIGN OF THE RUBBER AROUND THE SIDE WINDOW ALLOWS WATER TO LAY BEHIND IT, IF YO DO NOT PULL THE RUBBER DOWN AND LOOK BEHIND IT, YOU DO NOT KNOW IT IS RUSTING, DEALER STATES THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS ADEFECT IN DESIGN, RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IS BROKEN AGAIN, THE SPEAKERS HAVE ALWAYS RATTLED, ALSO AIR CONDITION BROKE COOLANT SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB
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
L/R REAR AXLES HAD A CHANNEL SUPPORT ROD, WHERE WELDED, HAD BROKEN. DRIVING UP DRIVEWAY (5 MPH) WHEN AXLES BROKE; VEHICLE STILL DRIVABLE BUT MAKES GRINDING NOISE; TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED ENTIRE L/R REAR AXLE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
FAILURE ON THE REAR AXLE, WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE AXLE MOVES AROUND. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MATERIAL FAILURE ON FRONT TIRES IDENTICAL TO THOSE ON SUV'S. TIRES PURCHASED IN 1999.*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
THE OUT GAS LINE FROM THE GAS FILTER CRACKED AT CRIMP CONNECTOR AT CONNECTION TO METAL GAS LINE TO ENGINE, CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 .