Dodge SHADOW problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
272 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
105,816 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 to 1999 model years. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 272 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 9.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 4.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 3.7% |
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 | 34 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 21 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 19 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Seats | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 10 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 34; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 21; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 19; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Seats: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 258 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 | 127 |
| 1996 | 48 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 127; 1996: 48; 2000: 41; 2001: 21; 2002: 13; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 750568 · 2001-08-16 (August 16, 2001)
TRANSMISSION FAILED, ENGINE FAILED AT 69,000 MILES, EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BAR BROKE AT 52,000 MILES , OUTER TIEROD ENDS REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES, LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FAILED AT 10,000 MILES, ENGINE THERMOSTAT FAILED AT 12,000 MILES, AIR CONDITIONING BELT IDLER FAILED AT 17,000, AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR AND EVAPORATOR FAILED AT 67,000 MILES, RECALL ON DRIVERS SEAT BACK RETAINING BOLT... CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT ONE PROBLEMS.......WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE........*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8001680 · 2002-01-07 (January 7, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AND LIGHTLY TAPPING ON BRAKES SHOULDER RESTRAINT HAS FORCEFULLY PULLED HER BACK/ LOCKS AND DOES NOT RELEASE UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS A HAZARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8001680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488820 · 1995-10-09 (October 9, 1995)
TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087378 · 2004-08-06 (August 6, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND, WHO WAS MECHANIC, FOUND THAT RACK AND PINION WAS MISSING ONE MOUNTING BOLT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS LOOSE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10087378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968859 · 1995-07-17 (July 17, 1995)
STEERING COLUMN FIRE, WHILE DRIVING PARKED THE VEHICLE INNER THE DASH FIRE, UNDER THE HOOD CUT WIRES TO BATTERY. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802574 · 1996-09-18 (September 18, 1996)
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. *AK DEALER HAD REPLACED THE ECM AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE DEALER FOUND RECALL 88V105 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, HOWEVER FOUND THIS VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719160 · 2000-02-23 (February 23, 2000)
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED 3X AND DECREASED SPEED. ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING 4X. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719160 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1992 | 4 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
1985: 1; 1986: 1; 1987: 2; 1988: 2; 1989: 2; 1990: 1; 1991: 5; 1992: 4; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1997: 0; 1999: 0