Model year record

1991 Dodge Shadow recalls & problems

The 1991 Dodge Shadow has 5 safety recalls and 89 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seats (16 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints89filed by owners

Crashes · fires19 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths18 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SeatsAug 6, 1999

Front assembly › Recliner

Recall 99V212000227,283 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SeatsMay 10, 1997

Front assembly › Recliner

Recall 97V078000148,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SteeringNov 18, 1996

Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 96V229000675,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsNov 19, 1990

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 90V194000398 vehicles

Problem: THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Risk: AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
Fix: REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 4, 1990

Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 90V16200018,000 vehicles

Problem: FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1991 Dodge Shadow 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Shadow Convertible

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Shadow

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Shadow

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Shadow Convertible

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Shadow

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Shadow

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Shadow Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Shadow Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Shadow

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Shadow Convertible

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Shadow

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	16	2	0	3	—
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	15	13	1	10	—
StructureBody › Roof and pillars; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut	11	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Rack and pinion › Rack	11	1	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	11	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Disc › Caliper	9	2	0	2	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	7	2	0	2	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Alternator/generator/regulator	6	0	1	0	—
Power trainClutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle); Axle assembly	6	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage	6	1	0	2	—
EquipmentElectrical; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	5	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear; Rear › Springs › Coil springs	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulic
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
Jun 28, 2003
Service brakes, hydraulic
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
Aug 15, 2003
Air bags › FrontalCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Mar 19, 2003
Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCrash1 injury
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
Jun 4, 2002
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
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
Jun 4, 2002
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedalCrash1 injury
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
Mar 16, 2002
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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
Jul 22, 2001
Air bags › FrontalCrash
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
May 5, 2001

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITIONClosed
UNCONTROLLED ENGINE SPEED CONDITION RESULTS FRO THROTTLE SHAFT BINDING
PE96036 · opened May 14, 1996 · closed Oct 31, 1996
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATIONClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE96008 · opened Jan 25, 1996 · closed Jun 28, 1996
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATIONClosedLed to recall 96V229000
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…
EA95029 · opened Sep 26, 1995 · closed Nov 13, 1996
SEAT BACK BOLT FAILUREClosedLed to recall 97V078000
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
EA95017 · opened May 31, 1995 · closed May 19, 1997
SEAT BACK FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE95002 · opened Jan 13, 1995 · closed May 31, 1995