MYRModel Year Report

1991 Dodge Shadow

● Typical for this model
1991 Dodge Shadow
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:43:35.461Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
89
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seats

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 12 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 34 complaints 1990: 41 complaints 1991: 89 complaints 1991 89 1992: 73 complaints 1993: 108 complaints 1994: 95 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaint 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 1 complaint
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 12 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 34 complaints 1989 1990: 41 complaints 1990 1991: 89 complaints 1991 89 1992: 73 complaints 1992 1993: 108 complaints 1993 1994: 95 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 1 complaint 1999
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 12 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 34 complaints 1989 1990: 41 complaints 1990 1991: 89 complaints 1991 89 1992: 73 complaints 1992 1993: 108 complaints 1993 1994: 95 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 1 complaint 1999

1991: 89 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
19861
198712
198812
198934
199041
199189
199273
1993108
199495
19951
19960
19972
19981
19991

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seats

18% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing recliner.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Drivers side seatback did not hold during an accident but flopped back and forth. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-03

Air bags

16% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-19

Driver side airbag did not deployed upon 12:00 collision at 15-20 MPH. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-22

Airbag deployed and caused driver sweater to catch fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-17

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Structure

11% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing roof and pillars and support device/strut.

Service brakes

10% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1990-08-24Service brakes, hydraulic90V162000 Front disc brake caliper guide pin bolts may not have been adequately torqued and could loosen.

    Remedy: Properly torque front brake caliper guide pin bolts to 250 pounds.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1991-04-14Air bags90V194000 The two air bag system front impact sensors may not be secured to their mounting brackets.

    Remedy: Repair to assure proper attachment of front impact sensors to brackets.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1995-01-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-05-31 Seat back failure
  4. I
    1995-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 1997-05-19 Seat back bolt failure
  5. I
    1995-09-26Engineering analysisClosed 1996-11-13 Steering wheel separation
  6. I
    1996-01-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-06-28 Safety blt latch operation
  7. I
    1996-05-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-10-31 Throttle will not return to the position
  8. R
    1996-12-27Steering96V229000 The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for armature cracks in the center hub attachment area. Any steering wheels showing cracks will be replaced. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    1997-06-30Seats97V078000 The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver's seat can fail and separate.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver's seat with a higher strength bolt that includes a self locking nylon patch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    1999-08-23Seats99V212000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver seat can fail and separate.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver's seat with a higher strength bolt that includes a self locking nylon patch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Dodge Shadow — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seats: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V162000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 90V194000 · Air bags
  • Recall 96V229000 · Steering
  • Recall 97V078000 · Seats
  • Recall 99V212000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1991 Dodge Shadow reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Dodge Shadow is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Dodge Shadow?
The most-reported component is seats, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Dodge Shadow have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.