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1992 Dodge ShadowProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 73 owner complaints about the 1992 Dodge Shadow, most often about the seats. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year16% below the Shadow median · #4 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7324 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage145kSeats, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 9, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1992 Dodge Shadow has problems

73 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
Seats193
Air bags1210
Electrical system72
Structure60
Power train60
Engine and engine cooling50
Steering41
Suspension40
Visibility20
8 other systems113

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

4 recalls

1992 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

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 99V-212 · Aug 6, 1999 · 227,283 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 97V-078 · May 10, 1997 · 148,000 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 96V-229 · Nov 18, 1996 · 675,000 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 92V-015 · Feb 14, 1992 · 20,000 vehicles

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

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

1992 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
NHTSA crash tests

1992 Dodge Shadow safety ratings

1992 Dodge Shadow 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1992 Dodge Shadow, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT BACK BOLT FAILUREEA95017 · closed May 19, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-078
  2. STEERING WHEEL SEPARATIONEA95029 · closed Nov 13, 1996
    Led to recall 96V-229
  3. INTERIOR FIRESPE94069 · closed Jan 31, 1995
    No recall
  4. SEAT BACK FAILUREPE95002 · closed May 31, 1995
    No recall
  5. SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATIONPE96008 · closed Jun 28, 1996
    No recall
  6. THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITIONPE96036 · closed Oct 31, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Shadow owners report

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

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…
Complaint 10625807 · Aug 17, 2014 · 145,000 miles
BOTH FRONT BUCKET SEAT BACK REST PUSH FORWARD WHENEVER REAR PASSENGER PUSH FORWARD; BACK REST DO NOT LOCK INTO PLACE UPON IMPACT. TT
Complaint 966111 · May 31, 1995
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…
Complaint 841802 · Jul 7, 1999

Own a 1992 Shadow?

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