The most-reported Shadow run is 1B3XP24D5PN (1993 builds) with 4 complaints, 3.1× the typical run. Seats problems make up 17% of reports; 1993 is the worst model year at 1.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for Shadow model years 1987–1994.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Dodge Shadow has 259 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Shadow complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B3XP24D5PN•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| 1B3AP6435RN•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1B3XP24D4NN•••••• | 1992 | — | 1 | |
| 1B3XP24D3MN•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| 1B3XP24D3NN•••••• | 1992 | — | — | |
| 1B3XP28D5PN•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| 1B3BP48K6KN•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| 3B3XP45K5MT•••••• | 1991 | 1 | — | |
| 1B3XP48K6MN•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| 1B3XP24D2NN•••••• | 1992 | — | — | |
| 1B3XP24D1NN•••••• | 1992 | — | 1 | |
| 1B3XP6438PN•••••• | 1993 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 247 Shadow runs has 3 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Dodge Shadow the gap between build years is 1.4×: a 1993 car draws 1.4 complaints per run, a 1987 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 68 | 53 | 11 | |
| 1993 | 77 | 56 | 11 | |
| 1992 | 57 | 40 | 9 | |
| 1991 | 64 | 50 | 12 | |
| 1990 | 26 | 23 | 7 | |
| 1989 | 26 | 23 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 9 | 9 | — | |
| 1987 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 1993 at 1.4 complaints per run; lightest is 1987 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 17% of everything Dodge Shadow owners report: Seats, 45 of 335 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 9 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 4 | |
| Air Bags | 29 | — | |
| Power Train | 4 | 1 | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 9 | |
| Seat Belts | 4 | — | |
| Suspension | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 12 recall campaigns on the Dodge Shadow; the 6 below cover build years 1987 to 1994. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 99V212000 | Seats:front Assembly:recliner | 1991–1994 |
| 08E033000 | Suspension | 1987–1990 |
| 96V229000 | Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar | 1991–1992 |
| 97V078000 | Seats:front Assembly:recliner | 1991–1992 |
| 89V237000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 1989–1990 |
| 92V053000 | Seat Belts | 1988–1989 |
99V212000 was opened in 1999 on cars built from 1991: 8 years on the road before the recall.
The Shadow against its rivals
The Shadow draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Nissan Stanza 1.3. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Shadow | 335 | 259 | 15.5% | |
| Nissan Stanza | 118 | 89 | 7.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 335 reports on the Dodge Shadow, 15.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Dodge Shadow | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 335 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 52 (15.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 17 (5.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 46 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 167% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Dodge Shadow share of that is 335 complaints over 259 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Dodge Shadow VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 335 NHTSA complaints from 259 Shadow runs and 12 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Shadow production run has the most complaints?
1B3XP24D5PN, a 1993 build, with 4 complaints. The typical Shadow run has 1.3.
Which Shadow years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1993 is heaviest at 1.4 complaints per run and 1987 lightest at 1.
Does the Shadow get more complaints than the Nissan Stanza?
They are level: 1.3 complaints per production run for the Shadow against 1.3 for the Nissan Stanza.
How many Shadow complaints involve a crash?
15.5% of 335 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 17 involved a fire.
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