1989 DODGE SHADOW

3 recalls, 42 complaints - 17 TSBs

SUSPENSION

Defect Description

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS... Read more

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSS... Read more

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

6,903 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS

SEAT BELTS

Defect Description

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS CAN MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

SEAT OCCUPANTS WITHOUT SHOULDER RESTRAINTS ARE SUBJECT TOINCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

REPLACE THE SYSTEM DRIVE AND RAIL ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED COMPONENTS.

115,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Defect Description

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Consequence

THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

634,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

42 total complaints 1 crashes 2 fires 1 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	4
SEAT BELTS	4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	3
SUSPENSION:REAR	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM	2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS	1

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

Incident date: Apr 8, 1998

VEHICLE IS LOSING OIL. ALSO, PAINT IS PEELING. *AK *SLC

HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT OFTEN. MANY BULBS FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS. REVERSE LIGHTS NO LONGER OPPERATE. *AK

Incident date: Feb 16, 1999

NO SUMMARY

REAR BRAKE CARRIER IS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE INOPERATIVE, NEEDS REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER NOTICED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE FRONT BRAKES AND CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER INDICATED A TSB FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT REFUSED TO CORRECT IT. *AK *ML

Incident date: Sep 9, 1998

PLASTIC LENSES COVERING FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE DISCOLORING, AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE COLLISION. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Incident date: Jun 21, 1998

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE, RESULTED IN FIRE. *YC

Fire

Incident date: Sep 17, 1998

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#92V053000). TOOK VEHICLE IN. WAITED 1 1/2 HOURS, BELT NOT FIXED. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK. BRAKES WORK FINE. MECHANIC SAID BELTS FIXED. DROVE HOME. NO BRAKES. DRIVER'S BELT NOT FIXED. RECEIVED CARD, SAYING PARTS ARE NOW IN. VEHICLE HAS NO BRAKES. SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY... Read more

VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING ON THE MOTOR. RECALL HAS BEEN ORDERED , BUT THIS PATRICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL. OWNER HAS NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

REAR AXLE MAKE KNOCKING NOISE.

LARGE SPOTS OF PAINT ARE COMING OFF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: Jan 27, 1997

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

Fire

IN COLD WEATHER THERE WAS AND EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CAR, TOOK TO DEALER THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED TWICE IN 2 YEARS. *AK

VEHICLE'S REAR CONTROL ARM IS BROKEN INSIDE AND WHILE DRIVING A LOUD SNAPPING AND CLICKING NOISE IS HEARD.

Incident date: Aug 6, 1996

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE IGNITION OFF THAT IT ROLLED BACK ABOUT (4) FEET CRASHING INTO ROCKS AND TREES. THE PARKING LOT WAS FAIRLY LEVELED. *AK *SLC

Crash

Incident date: Sep 7, 1996

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY, THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN THE REAR WHEEL CAME OFF THE AXLE.*AK

Incident date: Sep 7, 1996

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY, THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN THE REAR WHEEL CAME OFF THE AXLE.*AK

Incident date: Jun 4, 1996

TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKED UP. *SD

Incident date: Jun 1, 1995

MOTORBELTS FAILED. *DH

Incident date: Jan 1, 1995

REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED TWICE, DUE TO PLASTIC HOUSING CRACKING FOLLOWED BY THE RELEASE BUTTON BREAKING. *DH

Incident date: Feb 1, 1996

MOTORBELT STICKS AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. (92V053000) *DSH

Incident date: Sep 16, 1995

REAR BRAKE ROTORS FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Sep 16, 1995

THERMOSTAT FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Sep 16, 1995

REAR STRUTS FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Sep 16, 1995

OIL LEAK. *SD

Incident date: Sep 16, 1995

TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Sep 16, 1995

BATTERY FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Sep 16, 1995

MUFFLER FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Sep 12, 1995

MOTOR MOUNT REPAIRED DUE TO TRANSMISSION SHIFTING/VIBRATION. *SD

Incident date: Sep 18, 1995

TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *SD

Incident date: May 3, 1995

SPORADIC LOCKED TORQUE CONVERTER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BUCK AND SURGE WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Incident date: Jan 31, 1996

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. TT

Incident date: Aug 3, 1995

REPLACED AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR TRACKS. *AK

#92V053000 RECEIVE RECALL TOOK TO DEALER SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT CONSUMER SAID ITS NOT SHE GOT HURT FROM THIS PROBLEM . TT

1 injured

AT 50 MPH THE CAR ACCELERATES. TT

Incident date: Jun 1, 1995

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE, CAN'T USE SEAT BELT . TT

Incident date: Aug 9, 1995

THE REAR LAP SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME APART . TT

Incident date: Jul 26, 1995

ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL RIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (89V-237. *AK

Incident date: Oct 10, 1989

THE FRONT TWO SEATS WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE IN THE TRACK. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

Incident date: Mar 25, 1995

HEADLIGHT LENSES FOG UP, REDUCING ILLUMINATION. *AW

Incident date: Apr 4, 1995

LIFTGATE LATCH FAILED, CAUSING LIFTGATE TO FALL BACK AND HIT DRIVER'S/PASSENGERS IN HEAD/INJURY. *SKD

1 deaths

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 DODGE SHADOW

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	26.0	23.0	Regular	$2,700
2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	22.0	19.0	Premium	$4,050
2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	20.0	26.0	22.0	Regular	$2,850
2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	26.0	21.0	Premium	$3,650
2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	31.0	24.0	Regular	$2,600

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 DODGE SHADOW

17 manufacturer communications from 16 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
220000 SEATS	3
180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE	1
161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS	1
062000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM	1
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.	1
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	1

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

220000 SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

220000 SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

162000 STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY AND INSTALLATION OF A RESUABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET. *TT

220000 SEATS

INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM

062000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONCERNS WITH 41TE/42LE TRANSAXLE SHUDDER DURING AN EMCC (ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED CONVERTER CLUTCH) SHIFT. *NLM

161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BULLETIN 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 OPER

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL OVERSHOOT/UNDERSHOOT DURING INITIAL SET SPEED SELECTION. *TW

116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

RECALL 637 - CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS MAY EXCEED THE LIMITS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL EMISSIONS STANDARDS. TO CORECT THIS CONDITION, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE MUST BE REPLACED. *TW

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

IMPROVED TRANSMISSION SHIFT QUALITY. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE SHADOW

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1993

SEAT BACK FAILURE

THE SEAT RECLINER'S LOWER BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK CAUSING THE SET BACK TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1991

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

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1991

SEAT BACK FAILURE