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Dodge Shadow Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns across the Dodge Shadow, 1986–1999. Owners have filed 468 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 13 model years with settled counts, the 1993 drew the most (107) and the 1986 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Dodge Shadow complaints by model year

468 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

1986198719881989199019911992199319941995199719981999
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1986 · 1 complaints
  • 1995 · 1 complaints
  • 1998 · 1 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1993 · 107 complaints
  • 1994 · 94 complaints
  • 1991 · 91 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1989–1999. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Dodge Shadow owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1989199019911992199319941995199719981999
Air bags 01514129150000
Seats 11161914110100
Engine and engine cooling 799514150000
Power train 737616120110
Electrical system 246711120000
Structure 211061080001
Suspension 33341070000
Service brakes 2173850000

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Dodge Shadow recalls (11)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Shadow model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Dodge Shadow
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
99V212000Aug 6, 1999DAIMLERCHRYSLER/SEAT BACK BOLT1991–1994—
97V078000May 10, 1997CHRYSLER/SEAT BACK BOLT1991, 1992—
96V229000Nov 18, 1996CHRYSLER/STEERING WHEEL1991, 1992—
92V053000Apr 13, 1992INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:BELTS1988, 1989—
92V015000Feb 14, 1992STEERING:COLUMN SHAFT UPPER1992—
90V194000Nov 19, 1990INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:AIR BAG IMPACT1991—
90V162000Sep 4, 1990BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:DISC:CALIPER1991—
89V237000Dec 27, 1989ENGINE:GASKETS:VALVE COVER1989, 1990—
89V038000Mar 20, 1989EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE:OTHER PART1987—
88V129000Aug 1, 1988INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT RETRACTORS1988—
88V105000Jul 1, 1988FUEL:FUEL SYSTEMS1985, 1986, 1987—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

198718–25 mpg
198820–25 mpg
198919–25 mpg
199019–24 mpg
199118–25 mpg
199219–25 mpg
199320–26 mpg
199418–25 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Dodge Shadow FAQ

How many recalls has the Dodge Shadow had?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns that cover at least one Dodge Shadow model year from 1986 to 1999. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Dodge Shadow year has the most complaints?

Among the last 13 model years with settled counts, the 1993 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (107) and the 1986 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Dodge Shadow problems?

Across the 1989–1999 model years, owners most often name the air bags, seats, engine and engine cooling in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Dodge Shadow get?

EPA rates the 1994 Dodge Shadow at 18 to 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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