MYRModel Year Report

1991 Dodge Shadow

● Typical for this model
1991 Dodge Shadow
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:31:24.209Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Shadow Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1991 highlighted. 1986: 1 complaints 1986 1987: 12 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 34 complaints 1990: 41 complaints 1990 1991: 89 complaints 1991 1992: 73 complaints 1992 1993: 108 complaints 1994: 95 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaints 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 1 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaints 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%

18% of complaints: seats — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing recliner.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVERS SIDE SEATBACK DID NOT HOLD DURING AN ACCIDENT BUT FLOPPED BACK AND FORTH. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950503

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030319

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOYED UPON 12:00 COLLISION AT 15-20 MPH. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950522

AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED DRIVER SWEATER TO CATCH FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950117

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

STRUCTURE 11%

11% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing roof and pillars and support device/strut.

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19900824 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 90V162000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19910414 — air bags

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.

Campaign 90V194000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19950113 — PE (closed 19950531)

SEAT BACK FAILURE

I 19950531 — EA (closed 19970519)

SEAT BACK BOLT FAILURE

I 19950926 — EA (closed 19961113)

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

I 19960125 — PE (closed 19960628)

SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION

I 19960514 — PE (closed 19961031)

THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITION

R 19961227 — steering

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 PLATE

Campaign 96V229000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970630 — seats

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.

Campaign 97V078000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990823 — seats

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.

Campaign 99V212000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1991 Dodge Shadow — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seats issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 90V162000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V194000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V229000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V078000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V212000 (seats) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 1990 ● 1992

WORST YEARS

◆ 1993 ◆ 1994 ● 1992

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.