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: 2 of 73 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.
Seats. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. 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.
14 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
73 reports
20,000 miles · Mar 9, 2015
Electrical System
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. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE KEY FELL OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVA…
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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. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE KEY FELL OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10692976
145,000 miles · Aug 17, 2014
Seats
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. FROM DAY ONE, I HAD NOTICED THAT THE SEATS IN HER CAR WERE NOT LOCKING INTO POSITION WHEN FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE SEATED. SEVERAL YEARS LATER (1999?), DODGE HAD ISSUED A…
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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. FROM DAY ONE, I HAD NOTICED THAT THE SEATS IN HER CAR WERE NOT LOCKING INTO POSITION WHEN FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE SEATED. SEVERAL YEARS LATER (1999?), DODGE HAD ISSUED A RECALL ON HER CAR. THEY SAID THAT THE SEATS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. MY FRIEND BROUGHT HER CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL SERVICE ON HER SEATS. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, I HAD NOTICED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM WAS STILL FAILING TO LOCK INTO POSITION. I HAD MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO HER. BUT, SHE INSISTED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD TOLD HER THAT THEY HAD SERVICED THE SEAT LOCKS ACCORDING TO RECALL DIRECTIVES. (FAST FORWARD TO YEAR 2014): MY FRIEND HAS GIVEN THIS VEHICLE TO ME. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SEAT LOCKS WOULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CAR EVER GOT INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF DODGE HEADQUARTERS. THEY RESPONDED BY STATING THAT I SHOULD BRING THIS MATTER TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I THEN BROUGHT THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF A LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP. THE LOCAL DODGE SERVICE REP HAD TOLD ME THAT, DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR, DODGE IS NO LONGER OBLIGATED TO REMEDY THE PREVIOUSLY-BOTCHED RECALL SERVICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10625807
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2002
Tires
MATERIAL FAILURE ON FRONT TIRES IDENTICAL TO THOSE ON SUV'S. TIRES PURCHASED IN 1999.*AK
NHTSA ODI #762699
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE REVS AND WILL NOT STOP, REVWING UP TO A HIGHER SPEED, EVEN AFTER RELEASING PRESSURE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO KEEP ENGINE FROM REVVING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8005176
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2002
Service Brakes, ElectricFire
DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8004031
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury
THE PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT HOLDS UP THE TRUNK STOPPED WORKING. NOW THE TRUNK WILL NOT STAY OPEN AND SEVERAL INJURIES HAVE HAPPENED FROM THE TRUNK SLAMMING DOWN ON PEOPLE'S HEADS AND HANDS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744234
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743888
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUT IN UNDERDASH WIRE HARNESS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AT THIS TIME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #874119
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Power Train
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE VEHICLE FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO THE SELECTED GEAR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #869355
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2000
Air BagsCrash
DRIVER OF VEHICLE HIT A DEER. THEN RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD-ON AT ABOUT 40MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG CAME OUT AND DID NOT INFLATE FULLY DUE TO A HOLE IN AIRBAG. GAS ESCAPED INTO THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA95029 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened Sep 26, 1995 · Closed Nov 13, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · 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.
EA95017 · Seat Back Bolt Failure
Opened May 31, 1995 · Closed May 19, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
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
PE95002 · Seat Back Failure
Opened Jan 13, 1995 · Closed May 31, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
There is no summary currently available
PE94069 · Interior Fires
Opened Sep 14, 1994 · Closed Jan 31, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
1992 Dodge Shadow Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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