1994 Dodge ShadowProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 94 owner complaints about the 1994 Dodge Shadow, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Shadow median · #2 of 8 years by complaints

Safety recalls1Free fix at dealers Owner complaints9437 with a crash, fire or injury Typical failure mileage77kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 31, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Dodge Shadow has problems

94 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

15Engine and engine cooling

15Air bags12 crash/fire/injury

12Power train4 crash/fire/injury

12Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury

11Seats3 crash/fire/injury

8Structure

8Visibility

7Seat belts

7Suspension

299 other systems3 crash/fire/injury

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling	15	0
Air bags	15	12
Power train	12	4
Electrical system	12	3
Seats	11	3
Structure	8	0
Visibility	8	0
Seat belts	7	3
Suspension	7	0
9 other systems	29	3

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

1 recall

1994 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 →

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

1994 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

0 1 12 12 33 40 89 73 10794 1 2 1 1

'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 1994 Dodge Shadow, and the recalls they led to.

May 7, 2003
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONDP03002 · closed Jul 22, 2003
No recall
Jan 25, 1996
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATIONPE96008 · closed Jun 28, 1996
No recall
May 13, 1999
SEAT BACK FAILURERQ99006 · closed Feb 2, 2000
Led to recall 99V-212

In owners' words

What Shadow owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

94 DODGE SHADOW AND SOME OTHER YEARS AROUND MY AREA ARE GOING BAD HAVING TO REPLACE THE COMPUTERS AND THEY ARE COSTLY. *NM
Complaint 10147172 · Jan 8, 2006 · 94,639 miles

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STALL. THERE IS NO PRIOR WARNING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Complaint 898194 · Oct 25, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND SHUTS DOWN WHITH NO WARNING. THE FAN MOTOR AND THE WIRNING HARNESS HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Complaint 825725 · Jul 22, 1998

Own a 1994 Shadow?

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