1991 Dodge Shadow
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Dodge › Shadow › 1991
These records cover every 1991 Dodge Shadow. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1991 Dodge Shadow. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver seat can fail and separate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the bolt fails while the vehicle IS being driven, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver's seat can fail and separate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the bolt fails while the vehicle IS being driven, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the steering wheel separates from the center hub attachment to the steering column, loss of control can occur increasing the risk of an accident.
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 installed to prevent steering wheel separation in the event cracking occurs.
The two air bag system front impact sensors may not be secured to their mounting brackets.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Air bag will not deploy in a frontal collision if thefront impact sensors are not attached.
Remedy
Repair to assure proper attachment of front impact sensors to brackets.
Front disc brake caliper guide pin bolts may not have been adequately torqued and could loosen.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause reduced braking effectiveness and couldresult in an accident.
Remedy
Properly torque front brake caliper guide pin bolts to 250 pounds.
Owner complaints
89 complaints19 involved a crash2 involved a fire18 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Contaminated brake system which would cost $800-$1500. to repair. *ph the dealer was notified of the problem. the consumer noticed that the brakes felt like something was holding them up at lower speeds. both service facilities stated the wrong oil was in the braking system instead of brake fluid. the consumer requested reimbursement for the repair costs. *sc
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Problems with 1991 dodge shadow. problems with brakes at lower speeds.*mr two different certified mechanics stated the vehicle shouldn't be driven until repairs are made. The fuel filter was replaced, brake system flushed, and tire rotation. *ph *jb
- Air bags › Frontal
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy. *jb
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
While driving 55 mph and without warning was involved in in a head-on collision. Driver's side seat belt snapped in half, causing minor injuries.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving 55 mph and without warning was involved in a head-on collision. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy, and consumer sustained bodily injuries. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
While driving 35 mph had slowed down, consumer applied accelerator and accelerator pedal stuck. Applied brakes and brakes didnot stop vehicle. Vehicle kept accelerating, hitting vehicles and a gas pump. Vehicle totaled, driver injured. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
I have observed that every dodge shadow has cloudy headlight covers which substantially reduce the effetiveness of the headlights. . other vehicles have the glass sealed beams with the opaque and cloudy plastic headlight beams b
- Air bags › Frontal
Was travling at about 25 mph when crossing into a nother lane consumer rear ended another vehicle, and air bags did not deploy. Has not contacted dealer.*ak
- Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
The top leaks water bad when I wash the car or it rains.it goes down the windows and on to the seats in front.*ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Seats
Daimler-chrysler has issued a recall (#729) on dodge shadows involving the bolt in the driver's seat back. the car was taken on 10/12/00 to crystal auto mall at 220 rte. 22 west, green brook, nj to fix the problem. they took the car in while I waited, and brought it out after 20 minutes, gave me…
Daimler-chrysler has issued a recall (#729) on dodge shadows involving the bolt in the driver's seat back. the car was taken on 10/12/00 to crystal auto mall at 220 rte. 22 west, green brook, nj to fix the problem. they took the car in while I waited, and brought it out after 20 minutes, gave me a receipt and told me the job was done. today, it IS 10/21/00 and I decided to look at the replacement bolt only to find that the original IS still in it's place. I was issued a receipt, and was told the problem was fixed. clearly, I have been a victim of fraud from a very large auto dealer who has compromised my safety, my family's safety, and those on the roads who might collide with me if the recalled item were to fail while driving because of the stupidity and negligence of an auto dealer. please look into this and if you need you can call me or my son hugo capello at work at (732) 667-2081. thank you.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
On september 17,2000 @9:27am my breaks gave out on me completly, 2hours later they were working again, the brake light did come on for a few minutes then it went away.
- Air bags › Frontal
Driver's side air bag came out unexpectedly & knocked the driver unconscious. Vehicle rearended another due to a sudden stop.*ak
- Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
Convertible top IS leaking. in the summer months during hot weather the seals shrinks, and they don't met to keep water from coming in over the door.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Unknown or other
Engine check light flashed 3X and decreased speed. engine stalled without warning 4X. please advise on how to proceed.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle floods its self and shuts down at will. Dealer claims problem can't be repaired. *Ak
- Unknown or other
The paint on my hood started peeling in large chunks when I noticed there was no primer under the paint, only bare metal. IS this legal? I then saw another 1991 dodge shadow with the same problems. I kept my eyes open and I have since noticed that on almost all white 1991 dodge cars or trucks…
The paint on my hood started peeling in large chunks when I noticed there was no primer under the paint, only bare metal. IS this legal? I then saw another 1991 dodge shadow with the same problems. I kept my eyes open and I have since noticed that on almost all white 1991 dodge cars or trucks have similar paint problems. I know ford had a problem like this once and they took responsibility. will chrysler?no safety defect listed. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Seats
Engine stalling due to failure of the O2 sensor. Mjs
- Equipment › Electrical
Lighter flies out of it's casing when hot. nlm
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Whenever seat has to be pulled forward to enter rear, it would fail to latch back into place. Can lean forward to front seat from the rear & seat back, causing driver to hit steering wheel while driving. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Power train › Automatic transmission
I have had a number of problems with this piece of crap car. first the transmission needed to be rebuilt and then problems with the brake cylinders and now I have some sort of short somewhere in the car that causes the radio to go out. I noticed the tachometer was jumping up to like 5000rpm by…
I have had a number of problems with this piece of crap car. first the transmission needed to be rebuilt and then problems with the brake cylinders and now I have some sort of short somewhere in the car that causes the radio to go out. I noticed the tachometer was jumping up to like 5000rpm by itself and then it would drop to zero. this happened for a while. then all of a sudden the radio goes out and so does everything associated with that fuse. I proceeded to replace the fuse 15 times until I took a amperage reading with a multimeter and found that 35 amps was flowing to that fuse that was blowing. the normal amperage IS 7 amps. finally the fuse took and when I hit a bump in the road out it went again. So I figure a short somewhere. my fuel system IS acting up also. I had my system cleaned and it still stalls and hesitates. I writ only because my uncle owns the same car and has had similar problems with the fuel injection and the transmission. chrysler corp was no help. sure they said they would fix it for tons of cash because the warranty has expired.
- Seats
Consumer has been trying to get manufacturer's. Recall notice to be honored by dealer since 25 aug 98: seeking help from nhtsa in this matter. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle design of the transmission interlock system allows for the key to be removed while vehicle IS in gear, allowing vehicle to roll. Mjs
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Bolt broke on driver's seat, causing t the seat to recline all the way back.*ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering column failed, found to be loose and needed repair.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Throttle will not return to the position
Uncontrolled engine speed condition results fro throttle shaft binding
- Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
- Steering wheel separation
After an extensive investigation and analysis, chrysler has identified the defect as a fatigue failure, origination in the heat affected region of the projection welds of the steering wheel hub to steering wheel armature attachment.the hub IS the portion of the steering wheel assembly that connects it to the steering…
After an extensive investigation and analysis, chrysler has identified the defect as a fatigue failure, origination in the heat affected region of the projection welds of the steering wheel hub to steering wheel armature attachment.the hub IS the portion of the steering wheel assembly that connects it to the steering column shaft and IS attached to the underside of the steering wheel assembly by 4 welds.if cracks develop in the heat affected region of the welds and propagate through the steering wheel armature to each of the welds, the steering wheel can separate from the hub.this IS a slow progressive failure which normally occurs at high mileage.in some cases complainants have reported a looseness or wobbling of the steering wheel prior to separation.to remedy this defect, chrysler will inspect the steering wheels of the affected vehicles for cracks in the hub area.if any cracks are found, the steering wheel will be replaced.all other vehicles will have reinforcing plates installed which would prevent a steering wheel separation should cracking occur.
- Seat back bolt failure
The driver seat back can collapse without warning resulting in potential for loss of vehicle control.the lower bolt (one of two bolts that supports the seat back assembly) can fatigue and break
- Seat back failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6092304Subject regarding non-deployed airbag handling procedures.
- 6089800Daimlerchrysler corporation IS now offerinb airbag on / off switches for selected vehicles.
- 6088988Concerns with 41te/42le transaxle shudder during an emcc (electronically modulated converter clutch) shift. *Nlm
- 6088834Information regarding nhtsa authorized airbag deactivation for medical necessity. *Nlm
- 6088786Concerns with engine coolant usage. *Nlm
- 621898Automatic transmission fluid usage ATF+4.
- 620059Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty.
- 618049Subject regarding wire splice repairs.
- 615688Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 612160Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *Mjs
- 610635Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 609995This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts.
- 607963Information on child seat tether anchors.
- 607959This bulletin announces the availability and installation of a resuable automatic transmission oil pan gasket.
- 603153Subject regarding airbag on - off switches.
- 602450Subject regarding the airbag on-off switches.
- 600862Information on installation of radio transmitting equipment.
- 54423Authorized airbag deactivation for medical necessity.
- 52963Various car owner's have expressed interest in using engine coolants made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
- 51942Difficult to clean light colored "chalky" residue from plastic body components that are molded in black.
- 46371Bulletin 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 vehicle may accelerate and exceed the desired set speed by up to 5 mph (8 km/h) and then decelerate to less than the desired set speed before finally achieving the desired set speed.
- 41049Cruise control overshoot/undershoot during initial set speed selection.
- 39058Manual transaxle locked in neutral or locked in reverse.
- 39009Improved transmission shift quality.
- 37858Pcm not properly disengaging a/c clutch via the relay also the pcm may not energize the a/c clutch relay.
Every Dodge Shadow model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.