1992 Dodge Shadow

Routine

Owners filed 73 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seats › front assembly › recliner. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner12
201
Air Bags › Frontal9
805
Seats7
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Suspension › Rear3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Structure › Frame and Members2
000
Structure › Body › Door2
000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar2
100
Power Train › Axle Assembly2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner99V212000
Filed Aug 6, 1999227,283 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.

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.

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.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner97V078000
Filed May 10, 1997148,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.

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.

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.

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar96V229000
Filed Nov 18, 1996675,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

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.

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.

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar92V015000
Filed Feb 14, 199220,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.

Risk. FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.

Remedy. REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Mar 9, 201520,000 milesCO

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.

Seats
Filed Aug 17, 2014145,000 milesNY

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

Tires
Filed Jun 5, 2002NV

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Mar 8, 2002NY

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

Service Brakes, ElectricFire
Filed Feb 13, 2002MS

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch1 injured
Filed Apr 18, 2001CA

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Apr 11, 2001MA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Oct 30, 2000MD

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 1, 2000MI

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

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 5, 2000VA

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

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Sep 25, 1999TX

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.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 8, 1999TX

IGNITION EXPERIENCED LOCKS UP CAUSING KEY TO NOT TURN. ONCE CONSUMER GET KEY TO TURN THE STARTER WON'T WORK. *YC

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jul 15, 1999ME

WHILE DRIVING 35MPH REAR END LET LOOSE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jul 7, 1999CO

RECEIVED SIX MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS ON SEATBACK BOLT. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN THEIR AREA SINCE 21 NOV 1998 FOR A APPOINTMENT. NO ONE CALLED BACK.RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE, AND AGAIN CONTACTED THE SAME DEALER. WAS TOLD SOMEONE WILL CALLED BACK TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. AGAIN NO ONE CALLED BACK. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jul 7, 1999CO

RECEIVED SIX MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS CONCERNING SEATBACK BOLT FAILURE. BEEN WAITING FOR AN APPOINTMENT SINCE 21 OF NOVEMBER, 98. AGAIN CONTACTED DEALER AND INFORMED HIM OF AN APPOINTMENT NEEDED FOR RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER STATED AGAIN THAT THEY WOULD CALL CONSUMER BACK WITH AN APPOINTMENT. STILL NOT RECEIVED AN APPOINTMENT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jun 25, 1999PA

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

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 13, 1999TX

THE PAINT APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO BE TRUE OF ALL WHITE DODGE PRODUCTS. I WANT THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. WHAT CAN I DO. *MJS

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 1, 1999MD

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

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 26, 1999CA

PAINT IS WHITE IN COLOR. PAINT LIFTS OFF OF CAR, LOOKS LIKE NO RESIDUE UNDER PEELING PAINT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 13, 1999NY

TEMPERATURE GUAGE IS READING EXTREMELY HOT, BUT ALL THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS PERFORMED INDICATED THE CAR IS NOT OVERHEATING. PROBLEM IS NOT REFLECTING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATOR, TSB 081593. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

20 of 73 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
19991000Routine
19981000Routine
19972000Routine
19951000Routine
199494130Routine
1993107170Routine
1992 — this page73430Routine
199189521Fatalities reported
199040250Routine

Compare every Shadow year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 6, 1999. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.