MYRModel Year Report

1992 Dodge Shadow

● Typical for this model
1992 Dodge Shadow
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:54:08.553Z

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
73
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1992

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seats

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 12 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 34 complaints 1990: 41 complaints 1990 1991: 89 complaints 1992: 73 complaints 1992 73 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 1992: 73 complaints 1992 73 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 1992: 73 complaints 1992 73 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

1992: 73 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

27% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing recliner and power adjust.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Both front bucket seat back rest push forward whenever rear passenger push forward; back rest do not lock into place upon impact. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-31

Was hit from the rear front seat broke and went into the back seat. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-25

The recall repair on this vehicle was incorrectly performed. I am friend of the original owner of this car. She had purchased this car when it was new.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-17

Air bags

16% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

No deployment of airbags during accident, resulting in injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-06

Electrical system

11% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 1992 Dodge Shadow. The contact stated that the ignition switch stayed in the acc position and was difficult to turn over into an on and off position.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-09

Power train

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

Structure

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1992-02-06Steering92V015000 The zinc plating operation performed on the upper steering column shaft coupling bolt caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.

    Remedy: Replace the zinc plated bolt with a phosphate plated bolt.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1994-09-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-01-31 Interior fires
  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

1992 Dodge Shadow — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seats: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 92V015000 · Steering
  • 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 1992 Dodge Shadow reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Dodge Shadow is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Dodge Shadow?
The most-reported component is seats, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Dodge Shadow have?
4 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.