1991 DODGE SHADOW

5 recalls, 113 complaints - 25 TSBs

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.

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.

227,283 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Defect Description

THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.

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.

148,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Defect Description

THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

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.

675,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Defect Description

THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Consequence

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.

398 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Defect Description

FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.

18,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

113 total complaints 21 crashes 2 fires 21 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR	10
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	10
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	9
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS	6
SEATS	6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	5
AIR BAGS	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	3
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL	3

Incident date: Jun 28, 2003

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 F... Read more

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

Incident date: Mar 19, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

Crash

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

Crash 1 injured

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

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 16, 2002

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

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 16, 2002

Crash 1 injured

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

Incident date: May 5, 2001

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

Crash

Incident date: Apr 27, 2001

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

Incident date: Jan 15, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: Apr 27, 2001

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

Incident date: Jan 15, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

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... Read more

Incident date: Sep 17, 2000

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.

1 deaths

Incident date: Jul 6, 2000

DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG CAME OUT UNEXPECTEDLY & KNOCKED THE DRIVER UNCONSCIOUS. VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER DUE TO A SUDDEN STOP.*AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 5, 1999

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

Incident date: Jan 22, 2000

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED 3X AND DECREASED SPEED. ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING 4X. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED.

Incident date: Jan 22, 2000

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED 3X AND DECREASED SPEED. ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING 4X. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED.

Incident date: Dec 28, 1999

VEHICLE FLOODS ITS SELF AND SHUTS DOWN AT WILL. DEALER CLAIMS PROBLEM CAN'T BE REPAIRED. *AK

Incident date: Jul 7, 1995

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 HAV... Read more

LIGHTER FLIES OUT OF IT'S CASING WHEN HOT. NLM

Incident date: Jun 2, 1998

CONSUMER WAS CHARGED DURING RECALL REPAIR (99V-212). MJS

Incident date: Jun 2, 1998

ENGINE STALLING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE O2 SENSOR. MJS

LIGHTER FLIES OUT OF IT'S CASING WHEN HOT. NLM

Incident date: Jul 5, 1993

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

Incident date: Jun 17, 1998

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 ITS... Read more

Incident date: Jun 17, 1998

Incident date: Aug 25, 1998

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

VEHICLE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL. MJS

Incident date: Jan 5, 1999

BOLT BROKE ON DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING T THE SEAT TO RECLINE ALL THE WAY BACK.*AK

Incident date: Jan 17, 1997

DURING STEERING COLUMN RECALL REPAIR (708), STEERING COLUMN WAS FOUND LOOSE, REQUIRING ADDITONAL REPAIRS.

Incident date: Jan 17, 1997

DURING RECALL REPAIR WORK OF THE STEERING COLUMN, STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE RESULTING IN LOOSENESS, ADDITION CHARGES DUE TO FAILURE NOT COVERED BY RECALL REPAIR.

STEERING COLUMN FAILED, FOUND TO BE LOOSE AND NEEDED REPAIR.

Incident date: Oct 2, 1997

SEAT BACK COLLAPSED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN BACK INJURY TO CONSUMER.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 1, 1998

BOLT FOR THE SEAT BACK FAILED, UNABLE TO GET FIXED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

Incident date: Oct 30, 1998

IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Incident date: Oct 30, 1998

CONSUMER STATES THAT HE DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR ANYTHING EXTRA TO CHANGE GEARS. *AK

SEAT BACK BOLT RECALL REPAIR DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

Incident date: Jan 17, 1997

STEERING COLUMN LOOSE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

DURING RECALL REPAIR OF STEERING COLUMN PART, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE.

STEERING COLUMN LOOSE AND DEED REPLACING.

Incident date: Mar 3, 1994

ELECTRICAL WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP/DOWN WHEN BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. I'S A DESIGN FLAW INSIDE WINDOWN BRACKET TRACTS. IT CAUSES THE TRACTS TO BREAK. WEAR & TEAR HAS DEVELOPED. TOOK TO DEALER & PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BY MECHANIC. NOW PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED. *AK

Incident date: Dec 4, 1997

SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN ACCIDENT .

1 injured

Incident date: Dec 4, 1997

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 1, 1996

THE ENGINE FAN SENSOR FAILED CAUSING ENGINE HEAD TO CRACK.

WATER PUMP FAILED.

SHOCKS AND STRUTS FAILED.

Showing 50 of 113 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1991 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)	20.0	25.0	22.0	Regular	$2,850
2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	28.0	23.0	Regular	$2,700
2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	20.0	26.0	22.0	Regular	$2,850
2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	21.0	18.0	Premium	$4,300
2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	24.0	20.0	Premium	$3,850

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, 1991 DODGE SHADOW

25 manufacturer communications from 24 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
220000 SEATS	3
145000 AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY	3
180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
140000 AIR BAGS	2
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE	1
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT

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

140000 AIR BAGS

SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *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

145000 AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT

162000 STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

220000 SEATS

INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

145000 AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY

SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG ON - OFF SWITCHES. *YC

145000 AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY

SUBJECT REGARDING THE AIRBAG ON-OFF SWITCHES. *YC

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

INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK

140000 AIR BAGS

AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *YC

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INFORMATION REGARDING NHTSA AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *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

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM

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

102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MANUAL TRANSAXLE LOCKED IN NEUTRAL OR LOCKED IN REVERSE. *TW

116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

PCM NOT PROPERLY DISENGAGING A/C CLUTCH VIA THE RELAY ALSO THE PCM MAY NOT ENERGIZE THE A/C CLUTCH RELAY. *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