Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1989 Dodge Shadow peaked in 1995, with 11 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1989 Dodge Shadow
Hatchback, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Mar 25, 1995 to Jan 7, 2002.
Recall campaigns covering this model year3756k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints333.0 times the median 1989 hatchback
Severity index15.2Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
27% of complaints about the 1989 Dodge Shadow name seat belts
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
3 recall campaigns cover the 1989 Dodge Shadow
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08E-033 | Apr 14, 2008 | Part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353 | Suspension | 6,903 | Part replacement |
| 92V-053 | Apr 13, 1992 | Automatic shoulder restraint systems can malfunction and become inoperative | Seat belts | 115,000 | Part replacement |
| 89V-237 | Dec 27, 1989 | Engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket | Engine and cooling | 634,000 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1989 Dodge Shadow
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
33 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.
- Filed Jan 7, 2002Rock Hill, SCBuckle assembly
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
NHTSA complaint 8001680 - Filed Apr 30, 2001Failure Apr 8, 1998Winter Park, FLGasoline
VEHICLE IS LOSING OIL. ALSO, PAINT IS PEELING. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint 887113 - Filed Dec 28, 2000Madison, WIHeadlights
HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT OFTEN. MANY BULBS FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS. REVERSE LIGHTS NO LONGER OPPERATE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 738440 - Filed Aug 21, 2000Failure Feb 16, 1999Bayonne, NJUnknown or other
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint 728616 - Filed Mar 17, 2000Mishawaka, INService brakes, Drum, Disc
REAR BRAKE CARRIER IS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE INOPERATIVE, NEEDS REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER NOTICED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE FRONT BRAKES AND CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER INDICATED A TSB FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT REFUSED TO CORRECT IT. *AK *ML
NHTSA complaint 858716 - Filed Sep 29, 1999Failure Sep 9, 1998Lafayette, ORHeadlights
PLASTIC LENSES COVERING FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE DISCOLORING, AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE COLLISION. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA complaint 849338 - Filed Apr 7, 1999Failure Jun 21, 1998NEW Hampto, IAGasolineFire
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE, RESULTED IN FIRE. *YC
NHTSA complaint 544853 - Filed Sep 24, 1998Failure Sep 17, 1998Port Hueneme, CAWebbing
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 PROPERLY. CONSUMER WILL NOT DRIVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 828196 - Filed Aug 26, 1998Cheltenham, PAEngine
VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING ON THE MOTOR. RECALL HAS BEEN ORDERED , BUT THIS PATRICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL. OWNER HAS NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA complaint 827212 - Filed Dec 23, 1997Durham, NCRear
REAR AXLE MAKE KNOCKING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint 527518 - Filed Aug 12, 1997Goffstown, NHFrame and members
LARGE SPOTS OF PAINT ARE COMING OFF THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 518823 - Filed Mar 20, 1997Failure Jan 27, 1997Chicago, ILFront underhoodFire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA complaint 810224 - Filed Jan 10, 1997Anch, AKExhaust system
IN COLD WEATHER THERE WAS AND EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CAR, TOOK TO DEALER THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED TWICE IN 2 YEARS. *AK
NHTSA complaint 807448 - Filed Oct 1, 1996EL Cajon, CARear
VEHICLE'S REAR CONTROL ARM IS BROKEN INSIDE AND WHILE DRIVING A LOUD SNAPPING AND CLICKING NOISE IS HEARD.
NHTSA complaint 803070 - Filed Sep 11, 1996Failure Aug 6, 1996Muscatine, IAAutomatic transmissionCrash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE IGNITION OFF THAT IT ROLLED BACK ABOUT (4) FEET CRASHING INTO ROCKS AND TREES. THE PARKING LOT WAS FAIRLY LEVELED. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint 802204 - Filed Sep 9, 1996Failure Sep 7, 1996Indianola, IAAxle assembly, Wheels
FAILURE OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY, THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN THE REAR WHEEL CAME OFF THE AXLE.*AK
NHTSA complaint 802030 - Filed Jun 17, 1996Failure Jun 1, 1995Portland, ORSeat belts
MOTORBELTS FAILED. *DH
NHTSA complaint 505930 - Filed Jun 4, 1996Failure Jun 4, 1996Edison, NJTorque converter
TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKED UP. *SD
NHTSA complaint 504672 - Filed May 6, 1996Failure Jan 1, 1995Puyallup, WABuckle assembly
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED TWICE, DUE TO PLASTIC HOUSING CRACKING FOLLOWED BY THE RELEASE BUTTON BREAKING. *DH
NHTSA complaint 504581 - Filed Apr 3, 1996Failure May 3, 1995Edison, NJTorque converter
SPORADIC LOCKED TORQUE CONVERTER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BUCK AND SURGE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
NHTSA complaint 982250
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
3 NHTSA investigations on file
- EA91043 Engineering analysis, Seat belts
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
Opened Oct 30, 1991, closed Apr 20, 1992 · led to a recall - PE91082 Preliminary evaluation, Seat belts
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
Opened Jun 5, 1991, closed Oct 30, 1991 - PE91065 Preliminary evaluation, Steering
STEERING GEAR BOLTS LOOSEN
Opened Apr 16, 1991, closed Aug 30, 1991
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
17 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- 210597 Mar 14, 1997 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
CONCERNS WITH 41TE/42LE TRANSAXLE SHUDDER DURING AN EMCC (ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED CONVERTER CLUTCH) SHIFT. *NLM - 070397 May 9, 1997 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM - 2100601 Mar 16, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ - 0800600REV Dec 29, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB - 2300800B Nov 24, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT - 233599REVA Oct 1, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS - 230800 Mar 3, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT - 080600 Feb 25, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT - 233599 Sep 3, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT - 210599A Sep 3, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY AND INSTALLATION OF A RESUABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET. *TT - 081698 Apr 17, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK - 070397 May 9, 1997 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC - 230397 Feb 14, 1997 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW - 081695REVA Oct 1, 1995 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 08-16-95, DATED APR. 14, 1995. IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR **REPEATEDLY** PRESSES AND RELEASES THE SET BUTTON WITH THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR (A 'LIFT FOOT SET' TO BEGIN SPEED CONTROL OPERATION), THE VEHICL… - CH081695 Apr 1, 1995 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
CRUISE CONTROL OVERSHOOT/UNDERSHOOT DURING INITIAL SET SPEED SELECTION. *TW - RCL/637 Apr 1, 1995 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
RECALL 637 - CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS MAY EXCEED THE LIMITS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL EMISSIONS STANDARDS. TO CORECT THIS CONDITION, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE MUST BE REPLACED. *TW - 182694 Jan 1, 1994 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
IMPROVED TRANSMISSION SHIFT QUALITY. *TW
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.