Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 113 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.5 times the median Shadow year — the 1991 model ranks #3 of 15 Shadow years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 21 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seats (16), airbags (15), and engine (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
113
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
5
Investigations
21
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
21
Injuries
1
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 16 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 15 | 13% | — flat |
| Steering | 11 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 11 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 11 | 10% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 10 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 9 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 7 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 6 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 2 | 2% | new |
| Other | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | new |
| Fuel System | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 1% | — flat |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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”
“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”
“DUE TO THE WRONG OIL GASKET THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. IN ADDITION THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES UP AND DOWN, CONSUMER WAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER . *AK”
“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.”
“THE TRUNK HINGES ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAVE CORRODED, AND WHEN DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS THE TORQUE BAR MAKES A SQUEAKING SOUND, AND IS WORST WHEN DRIVING SLOW. *AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 113 complaints put the 1991 model at #3 of 15 Shadow years. It is one of the Shadow years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seats (16 complaints), airbags (15 complaints), engine (11 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Dodge Shadow. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.