NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 1988 Dodge Shadow — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
19
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
3
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1988 compare to other Shadow years?
Shadow NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.
What are the most common 1988 Dodge Shadow problems?
Component
Complaints
Share
vs prior year
Seat Belts
7
37%
▲ up
Transmission
4
21%
▲ up
Engine
3
16%
▲ up
Steering
2
11%
new
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)
1
5%
new
Brakes
1
5%
new
Seats
1
5%
▼ down
Does the 1988 Dodge Shadow have recalls?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units
Defect
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 VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
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, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
92V053000Seat BeltsApril 13, 1992 · 115,000 units
Defect
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.
88V129000Seat BeltsAugust 1, 1988 · 6,500 units
Defect
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LAP BELT RETRACTOR, WHICH INCORPORATES A CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKING FEATURE, MAY MALFUNCTION.
Consequence
SEAT BELT LOCK WOULD EXTRACT AND CHILD SEAT MAY MOVE OUTOF ITS RESTRAINED POSITION.
Remedy
REPLACE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LAP RETRACTOR WITH A REDESIGNED RETRACTOR.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE, PROBLEM OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER, DEALER IS LUBRICATING BELT BUT DOESN'T CORRECT PROBLEM. TT”
“TRANSMISSION FAILED, ENGINE FAILED AT 69,000 MILES, EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BAR BROKE AT 52,000 MILES , OUTER TIEROD ENDS REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES, LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FAILED AT 10,000 MILES, ENGINE THERMOSTAT FAILED AT 12,000 MILES, AIR…”
“TRANSMISSION FAILED, ENGINE FAILED AT 69,000 MILES, EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BAR BROKE AT 52,000 MILES , OUTER TIEROD ENDS REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES, LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FAILED AT 10,000 MILES, ENGINE THERMOSTAT FAILED AT 12,000 MILES, AIR…”
“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND, WHO WAS MECHANIC, FOUND THAT RACK AND PINION WAS MISSING ONE MOUNTING BOLT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS LOOSE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK”
“TRANSMISSION FAILED, ENGINE FAILED AT 69,000 MILES, EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BAR BROKE AT 52,000 MILES , OUTER TIEROD ENDS REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES, LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FAILED AT 10,000 MILES, ENGINE THERMOSTAT FAILED AT 12,000 MILES, AIR…”
1988 Dodge Shadow — common questions
Is the 1988 Dodge Shadow reliable?
The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
What are the most common 1988 Shadow problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (7 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints).
Does the 1988 Dodge Shadow have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Dodge Shadow. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1988 Dodge Shadow under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Dodge Shadow years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Shadow years to avoid are 1994, 1993, 1991, 1992, 1990, 1989. The cleanest record among Shadow years belongs to 1996.