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1989 Dodge ShadowProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 1989 Dodge Shadow, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

78
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years72% below the Shadow median · #6 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints334 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 7, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Dodge Shadow has problems

33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts91
Engine and engine cooling71
Power train71
Exterior lighting30
Suspension30
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Electrical system21
Structure21
Wheels10
3 other systems30

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1989 Dodge Shadow recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 92V-053 · Apr 13, 1992 · 115,000 vehicles

Risk. SEAT OCCUPANTS WITHOUT SHOULDER RESTRAINTS ARE SUBJECT TOINCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Shadow year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Shadow median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Dodge Shadow, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILUREEA91043 · closed Apr 20, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-053
  2. STEERING GEAR BOLTS LOOSENPE91065 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
  3. AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILUREPE91082 · closed Oct 30, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Shadow owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING AND LIGHTLY TAPPING ON BRAKES SHOULDER RESTRAINT HAS FORCEFULLY PULLED HER BACK/ LOCKS AND DOES NOT RELEASE UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS A HAZARD. *AK
Complaint 8001680 · Jan 7, 2002
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#92V053000). TOOK VEHICLE IN. WAITED 1 1/2 HOURS, BELT NOT FIXED. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK. BRAKES WORK FINE. MECHANIC SAID BELTS FIXED. DROVE HOME. NO BRAKES. DRIVER'S BELT NOT FIXED. RECEIVED CARD, SAYING PARTS ARE NOW IN. VEHICLE HAS NO BRAKES. SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING…
Complaint 828196 · Sep 24, 1998

Own a 1989 Shadow?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.