1994 Dodge SHADOW problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
62 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
108,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 62 complaints (12.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Suspension:Rear: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 56 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 18 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 18; 1996: 13; 2000: 15; 2001: 6; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10018623 · 2003-05-13 (May 13, 2003)
ELECTRICAL, TAIL LAMP, BRAKE LAMP WIRING, AND WIRING HARNESS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 726511 · 2000-08-03 (August 3, 2000)
PASSING A VEHICLE AT 45 MPH. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH FOOT OFF GAS TO ABOUT 65MPH. PUMPED BRAKES AND APPLIED PRESSURE TO SLOW VEHICLE. CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING. FINALLY SLOWED TO ABOUT 45. LET FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR ACCELERATED "OUT OF CONTROL" UNTIL BRAKE PRESSURE SLOWED CAR AGAIN. CAUTIOUSLY LIFTED FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR OPERATED "NORMALLY". CONTACTED CORTESE DODGE (DEALER IN ROCHESTER, NY) AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A CABLE THAT "GOT STUCK". THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. THE SERVICE MANAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 726511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501393 · 1995-01-22 (January 22, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735021 · 2000-10-24 (October 24, 2000)
INTERMITTENT STALLING - ENGINE STALLS WHEN GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133062 · 2005-08-16 (August 16, 2005)
CHRYSLER CORPORATION REFUSES TO MAKE AVAILABLE REPAIR PARTS FOR THE SHIFT LINKAGE CABLES IN THE DODGE SHADOW AND SIMILAR VEHICLES. WHERE THE SHIFT CABLE ATTACHES TO THE TRANSMISSION THERE ARE PLASTIC "SNAP" GROMMETS THAT HOLD THE END OF THE SHIFT CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION. SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN USED FOR YEARS ON SIMILAR APPLICATIONS BY VARIOUS AUTO MAKERS. WHEN THAT GROMMENT WEARS OUT, DODGE DOES NOT MAKE IT AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE REPAIR PART AND INSTEAD WANTS TO SELL A $130.00+ (I LAST CHECKED SEVERAL YEARS AGO) COMPLETE SHIFT CAB…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506172 · 1996-07-06 (July 6, 1996)
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506247 · 1996-07-05 (July 5, 1996)
BATTERY EXPLODED. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489034 · 1995-04-07 (April 7, 1995)
PARTS LOOSE IN STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717353 · 2000-01-14 (January 14, 2000)
DRIVE BELT TENSIONER PULLEY PROGRESSIVELY MISALIGNED ITSELF OVER TIME, CAUSING THE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF . THIS LEAVES THE DRIVER WITH NO POWER STEERING, NO CHARGING SYSTEM, AND A DAMAGED ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 02/24/1997. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPEND ON 1/14 2000. I BELIEVE A T.S.B EXISTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. IN MY OPINION, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A MOTORIST WITH A WEAK BATTERY STRANDED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717353 at NHTSA ↗