1991 Dodge Shadow: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1991 Dodge Shadow: 5 recalls, 89 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #90V162000 · 1990 · 18,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Front disc brake caliper guide pin bolts May not have been adequately torqued and could loosen.
Why it matters: This could cause reduced braking effectiveness and couldresult in an accident.
The fix: Properly torque front brake caliper guide pin bolts to 250 pounds.
Airbags Vehicle recall #90V194000 · 1990 · 398 vehicles
What's wrong: The two air bag system front impact sensors May not be secured to their mounting brackets.
Why it matters: Air bag will not deploy in a frontal collision if thefront impact sensors are not attached.
The fix: Repair to assure proper attachment of front impact sensors to brackets.
Steering Vehicle recall #96V229000 · 1996 · 675,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #97V078000 · 1997 · 148,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver's seat can fail and separate.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #99V212000 · 1999 · 227,283 vehicles
What's wrong: The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver seat can fail and separate.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 18 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seats (16): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (14): the most common themes are fails to deploy (5).
- Body & structure (9): the most common themes are door / lock issues (3), leaks (2).
- Engine & cooling (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 1991 Dodge Shadow has 89 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 9 Shadow model years for complaints (2.0× the average Shadow year). Complaints peaked in 1995 (22 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old. Neighboring years: 1990 (40 complaints, 1 recalls), 1992 (73 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1991 Dodge Shadow.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1991 Dodge Shadow have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 1991 Dodge Shadow. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1991 Dodge Shadow problems?
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seats (16), airbags (14), body & structure (9).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Dodge Shadow get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1991 Dodge Shadow repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.