1993 Dodge Shadow

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

72/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Dodge Shadow, and it carries 1 recall. 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Seats	13	10%
Engine and engine cooling	13	10%
Power train	13	10%
Electrical system	12	10%
Suspension	12	10%
Structure	9	7%
Air bags	9	7%
Unknown or other	8	6%
Service brakes	6	5%
Latches/locks/linkages	4	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD INTO THE REAR SEATS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOP BOLT WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED
NHTSA complaint: Seats

HI WHAT I HAVE IS A QUESTION REGARDING A LOOSE VACUUM HOSE ON A 1993 DODGE SHADOW. I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD HAVE SUFFERED CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM IT HAVING BEEN DISCONNECTED (INTENTIONALLY) AND ME DRIVING THE C
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

DT: THE VEHCILE IS A 1993 DODGE SHADOW ES. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME IN MARCH 2001. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEA
NHTSA complaint: Power train

DT: CALLER'S -HUSBAND PURCHASED DAUGHTER A USED CAR. THE WIRING ON THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND THE FUMES AND THE SMOKE ALMOST KILLED HER. SHE HAD THE CAR FOR 1 MONTH WHEN THE PLASTIC STARTED BUBBLING AND MELTING WHI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

WHILE AT A STOP ANOTHER VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SLAMMED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAME OFF OF THE FRAME. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seats

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

ENGINE OVER POWERS MOTOR MOUNTS AND CONTINUOUSLY RIPS THEM APART. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****765219
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

THROTTLE STUCK OPEN, ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE. A TREE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV HIGH. BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1993 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.

Seats:front assembly:recliner 99V212000

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 seven scores

Reliability raw	80	excellent
Longevity est.	77	good
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	47	below average
Efficiency	47	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 33% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 41% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 82% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 56% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 80: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 77: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1993 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1993 Dodge Shadow?

Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seats is the most reported area with 13 of them (10%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1993 Dodge Shadow reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (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.

How long will a 1993 Dodge Shadow last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1993 Dodge Shadow?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. 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.