Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Dodge Shadow, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 20 | 25% |
| Air bags | 11 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 9% |
| Power train | 6 | 8% |
| Structure | 6 | 8% |
| Suspension | 5 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 5% |
| Steering | 4 | 5% |
| Tires | 2 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE SHADOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH STAYED IN THE ACC POSITION AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER INTO AN ON AND OFF POSITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE KEY
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE RECALL REPAIR ON THIS VEHICLE WAS INCORRECTLY PERFORMED. I AM FRIEND OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR. SHE HAD PURCHASED THIS CAR WHEN IT WAS NEW. FROM DAY ONE, I HAD NOTICED THAT THE SEATS IN HER CAR WERE NOT LOCK
NHTSA complaint: Seats
POWER STEERING ON 1992 DODGE 230 XPLORER M.H. VAN. HAD VAN TAKEN TO HEMET CHRYSLER IN HEMET CALIF. AND "THEY" DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND SERVICE WRITER ADAMANTLY
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ALL 4 TIRES EXPERIENCED CRACKS AND BULGES AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE SIDEWALL. (VEHICLE MODEL 2500) *JB THE TREAD WAS WORN TO WEAR INDICATORS AFTER 14K MILES. THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS WERE GIVEN IN REFERENCE TO THE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
MATERIAL FAILURE ON FRONT TIRES IDENTICAL TO THOSE ON SUV'S. TIRES PURCHASED IN 1999.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE REVS AND WILL NOT STOP, REVWING UP TO A HIGHER SPEED, EVEN AFTER RELEASING PRESSURE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO KEEP ENGINE FROM REVVING.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT HOLDS UP THE TRUNK STOPPED WORKING. NOW THE TRUNK WILL NOT STAY OPEN AND SEVERAL INJURIES HAVE HAPPENED FROM THE TRUNK SLAMMING DOWN ON PEOPLE'S HEADS AND HANDS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1992 Dodge Shadow. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Risk: 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.
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.
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Risk: 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.
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
THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Risk: FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.
Fix: REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.
THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Risk: 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.
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.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seats is the most reported area with 20 of them (25%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.