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1989 Dodge Shadow

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 12

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
198612
198712
198833
198940
199089
199173
1992
Compare all Shadow years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Seat Belts
9Engine And Engine Cooling
7Power Train
7Exterior Lighting
3Suspension
3
All reported categories
Electrical System
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Structure
2Equipment
1Seats
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

33 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 1995
Seats

THE FRONT TWO SEATS WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE IN THE TRACK. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA ODI #968100

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 1995
Structure

LIFTGATE LATCH FAILED, CAUSING LIFTGATE TO FALL BACK AND HIT DRIVER'S/PASSENGERS IN HEAD/INJURY. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #482818

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1995
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT LENSES FOG UP, REDUCING ILLUMINATION. *AW

NHTSA ODI #482674

Official recalls

2

92V053000 · Seat Belts

Apr 13, 1992

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS CAN MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: REPLACE THE SYSTEM DRIVE AND RAIL ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED COMPONENTS.

89V237000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Dec 27, 1989

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA91043 · Auto Shoulder Belt Failure

Opened Oct 30, 1991 · Closed Apr 20, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE91082 · Auto Shoulder Belt Failure

Opened Jun 5, 1991 · Closed Oct 30, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE91065 · Steering Gear Bolts Loosen

Opened Apr 16, 1991 · Closed Aug 30, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available