Total Complaints
135 filings
DODGE SHADOW · model year
1993 DODGE SHADOW
135 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993DODGESHADOW carries 135 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 14 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 SHADOW is power train:automatic transmission with 12 filings, followed by unknown or other (9) and suspension:rear (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1993 SHADOW, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
135
Complaints
18
Crashes
14
Fires
13
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
18 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 12 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 9 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 9 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| SEATS | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20110411SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD INTO THE REAR SEATS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOP BOLT WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE SIX YEARS PRIOR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V212000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 196,700.
Mileage: 196,700
20071109FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
HI WHAT I HAVE IS A QUESTION REGARDING A LOOSE VACUUM HOSE ON A 1993 DODGE SHADOW. I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD HAVE SUFFERED CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM IT HAVING BEEN DISCONNECTED (INTENTIONALLY) AND ME DRIVING THE CAR ON AND OFF FOR 2 YEARS? *TR
20051014FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT: THE VEHCILE IS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW ES. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME IN MARCH 2001. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD IN HE STEERING WHEEL AREA. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE TO THE PARKING SWITCH AND THE PROPORTIANAL VALVE, IGNITION SWITCH, AND WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH. THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION ALSO, BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING THEY ADDED NEW CLUTCHES. IN MARCH OF 2005 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. SHE HAD TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INLINE FUSES. THEN ON JULY 8, 2005 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES IT WAS STILL HOT. THEY TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE DOME LIGHT, HEAD LIGH
Mileage: 65,000
20051014FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE VEHCILE IS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW ES. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME IN MARCH 2001. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD IN HE STEERING WHEEL AREA. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE TO THE PARKING SWITCH AND THE PROPORTIANAL VALVE, IGNITION SWITCH, AND WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH. THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION ALSO, BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING THEY ADDED NEW CLUTCHES. IN MARCH OF 2005 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. SHE HAD TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INLINE FUSES. THEN ON JULY 8, 2005 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES IT WAS STILL HOT. THEY TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE DOME LIGHT, HEAD LIGH
Mileage: 65,000
20051014FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
DT: THE VEHCILE IS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW ES. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME IN MARCH 2001. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD IN HE STEERING WHEEL AREA. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE TO THE PARKING SWITCH AND THE PROPORTIANAL VALVE, IGNITION SWITCH, AND WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH. THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION ALSO, BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING THEY ADDED NEW CLUTCHES. IN MARCH OF 2005 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. SHE HAD TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INLINE FUSES. THEN ON JULY 8, 2005 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES IT WAS STILL HOT. THEY TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE DOME LIGHT, HEAD LIGH
Mileage: 65,000
20051014FireINTERIOR LIGHTING
DT: THE VEHCILE IS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW ES. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME IN MARCH 2001. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD IN HE STEERING WHEEL AREA. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE TO THE PARKING SWITCH AND THE PROPORTIANAL VALVE, IGNITION SWITCH, AND WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH. THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION ALSO, BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING THEY ADDED NEW CLUTCHES. IN MARCH OF 2005 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. SHE HAD TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INLINE FUSES. THEN ON JULY 8, 2005 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES IT WAS STILL HOT. THEY TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE DOME LIGHT, HEAD LIGH
Mileage: 65,000
20051014FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: THE VEHCILE IS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW ES. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME IN MARCH 2001. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD IN HE STEERING WHEEL AREA. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE TO THE PARKING SWITCH AND THE PROPORTIANAL VALVE, IGNITION SWITCH, AND WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH. THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION ALSO, BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING THEY ADDED NEW CLUTCHES. IN MARCH OF 2005 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. SHE HAD TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INLINE FUSES. THEN ON JULY 8, 2005 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES IT WAS STILL HOT. THEY TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE DOME LIGHT, HEAD LIGH
Mileage: 65,000
20051014FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DT: THE VEHCILE IS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW ES. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME IN MARCH 2001. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD IN HE STEERING WHEEL AREA. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE TO THE PARKING SWITCH AND THE PROPORTIANAL VALVE, IGNITION SWITCH, AND WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH. THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION ALSO, BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING THEY ADDED NEW CLUTCHES. IN MARCH OF 2005 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. SHE HAD TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INLINE FUSES. THEN ON JULY 8, 2005 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES IT WAS STILL HOT. THEY TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE DOME LIGHT, HEAD LIGH
Mileage: 65,000
20050613FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DT: CALLER'S -HUSBAND PURCHASED DAUGHTER A USED CAR. THE WIRING ON THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND THE FUMES AND THE SMOKE ALMOST KILLED HER. SHE HAD THE CAR FOR 1 MONTH WHEN THE PLASTIC STARTED BUBBLING AND MELTING WHILE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Mileage: 100,000
20030930CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE AT A STOP ANOTHER VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SLAMMED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAME OFF OF THE FRAME. *AK
Mileage: 140,000
20030501ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE OVER POWERS MOTOR MOUNTS AND CONTINUOUSLY RIPS THEM APART. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****765219
20020913ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM
20020717CrashFireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THROTTLE STUCK OPEN, ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE. A TREE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV HIGH. BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK
20020717CrashFireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STUCK OPEN, ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE. A TREE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV HIGH. BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK
20011127SUSPENSION:REAR
RATTLING IN REAR END WITH SWAYING THAT SEEMED TO INDICATE REAR SHOCK FAILURE, ONCE A GARAGE INSPECTED IT, THE CRACKED REAR TRAILING ARM ASSEMBLY WAS DISCOVERED. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT DENY IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. NICE TO KNOW THE REAR END IN A DODGE IS GOOD FOR LESS THAN 50000 MILES.*AK
20011030SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE TRAVELING HEARD A HARD NOISE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN STATED REAR SWAY BAR HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ET
20010913SUSPENSION:FRONT
REPORTED GROANING AND KNOCKING NOICES TO TIRE /FRONT END SHOP AND THEY DID NOT CATCH THE PROBLEM. *AK
20010608FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL LEAKAGE CAUSED BY RIGHT BRAKE LINE BRACKET THAT WAS SHOVED INTO BRAKE LINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHRYSLER DEALER INFORMED HER THAT A ROLL OF TUBING WOULD NEED TO BE PURCHASED AND THEN MOLDED TO FIT THE AREA. *SLC
20010529SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN DRIVER HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM REAR OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REAR SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK
20010315CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SEAT BACK FAILURE. *AK
Compare 1993DODGESHADOW to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1993 DODGE SHADOW have?▼
The 1993 DODGE SHADOW has 135 NHTSA complaints, 18 crashes, 14 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 DODGE SHADOW?▼
The most-complained component for the 1993 DODGE SHADOW is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and SUSPENSION:REAR.
Is the 1993 DODGE SHADOW safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.