NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Frontal
1022.2%
Recliner
920.0%
Engine
817.8%
Gasoline
48.9%
Rear
48.9%
Foundation Components
48.9%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
36.7%
Headlights
36.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
116.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
233.3%
150,000+ miles
233.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 14May 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 Dodge Shadow
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP03002Opened 7 May 2003Closed 22 Jul 2003STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENT...
RQ99006Opened 13 May 1999Closed 2 Feb 2000SEATS
SEAT BACK FAILURE
THE SEAT RECLINER'S LOWER BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK CAUSING THE SET BACK TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING.
PE96008Opened 25 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 151,250 milesTaylors, SCCrash1 injured
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-85 IN CARNESVILLE, GA, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT OF MY CAR. I LOOKED BACK AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DIRECTION OF MY BACK RIGHT TIRE. I BEGAN TO SLOW MY CAR BY LETTING OFF THE GAS. AT THIS TIME MY CAR BEGAN TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL, FIRST VEERING RIGHT. I TRIED TO REDIRECT THE CAR BACK TO THE ROAD AS IT WAS HEADING TOWARDS SOME TREES. THE CAR THE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT CAUSING MY CAR TO GO TOWARD THE MEDIAN OF THE INTERSTATE. IT HIT A PATCH OF MUD AND GRASS, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO FLIP. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED IT WAS FACING THE NORTH BOUND LANE. THE BACK RIGHT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2010 AND WAS NEW. I HAD ONLY DRIVEN ABOUT 3,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10333923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsport, PACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING THROUGH A LIGHT AT 10 MILES PER HOUR WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10101762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesWashington TWP, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL, TAIL LAMP, BRAKE LAMP WIRING, AND WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10018623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cartersville, GACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH, GOING DOWN A HILL, AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HIT A BUSH AND A TELEPHONE POLL, AND STOPPED ON IMPACT. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #895570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AT ABOUT 30-35MPH CAR ROLLED AND THE AIR BAG NEVER CAME OUT
NHTSA complaint #9002780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MICrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
MY CAR SLIPPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE AND RAN ME OVER. I BROKE MY BACK IN THREE PLACES.
NHTSA complaint #719853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 151,250 milesTaylors, SCCrash1 injured
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-85 IN CARNESVILLE, GA, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT OF MY CAR. I LOOKED BACK AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DIRECTION OF MY BACK RIGHT TIRE. I BEGAN TO SLOW MY CAR BY LETTING OFF THE GAS. AT THIS TIME MY CAR BEGAN TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL, FIRST VEERING RIGHT. I TRIED TO REDIRECT THE CAR BACK TO THE ROAD AS IT WAS HEADING TOWARDS SOME TREES. THE CAR THE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT CAUSING MY CAR TO GO TOWARD THE MEDIAN OF THE INTERSTATE. IT HIT A PATCH OF MUD AND GRASS, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO FLIP. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED IT WAS FACING THE NORTH BOUND LANE. THE BACK RIGHT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2010 AND WAS NEW. I HAD ONLY DRIVEN ABOUT 3,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10333923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,125 milesChesterfield, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
FRONT PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SEATBELT DOES NOT LOCK INTO A SECURE POSITION. WHEN FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS OPENED, SEATBELT MECHANISM DOES NOT MOVE SHOULDER BELT TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION. WHEN FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS CLOSED WITH IGNITION KEY TURNED ON, FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT TRAVEL TO THE LOCKED POSITION. FRONT PASSENGER ONLY HAS USE OF MANUAL LAP BELT FOR ACCIDENT PROTECTION. THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT MOVE INTO THE ANCHORED LOCATION FOR PROTECTION. EACH TIME VEHICLE IS TURNED ON OR TURNED OFF, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT MECHANISM HAS LESS MOVEMENT AND IS BARELY MOVING THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR BETWEEN THE ENDS OF THE COMPLETELY OPENED POSITION AND THE COMPLETELY LOCKED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10200735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,639 milesDawson Springs, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
94 DODGE SHADOW AND SOME OTHER YEARS AROUND MY AREA ARE GOING BAD HAVING TO REPLACE THE COMPUTERS AND THEY ARE COSTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10147172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMechanicsville, MD
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
CHRYSLER CORPORATION REFUSES TO MAKE AVAILABLE REPAIR PARTS FOR THE SHIFT LINKAGE CABLES IN THE DODGE SHADOW AND SIMILAR VEHICLES. WHERE THE SHIFT CABLE ATTACHES TO THE TRANSMISSION THERE ARE PLASTIC "SNAP" GROMMETS THAT HOLD THE END OF THE SHIFT CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION. SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN USED FOR YEARS ON SIMILAR APPLICATIONS BY VARIOUS AUTO MAKERS. WHEN THAT GROMMENT WEARS OUT, DODGE DOES NOT MAKE IT AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE REPAIR PART AND INSTEAD WANTS TO SELL A $130.00+ (I LAST CHECKED SEVERAL YEARS AGO) COMPLETE SHIFT CABLE TO REPLACE A 50 CENT PART. I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ON TWO CARS (A 93 & A 94) BUT HAVE HEARD OF IT ON OTHER CARS. CHRYSLER MAKES MANY OTHER LINKAGE SNAP GROMMETS AVAILABLE AND I SEE THIS AS PURE GREED ON THEIR PART TO NOT MAKE THESE SIMPLE REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE. I WOULD HAPPILY PAY SEVERAL $$'S APIECE FOR THESE OVER HAVING TO BUY A VERY EXPENSIVE CABLE AND ITS ASSOCIATED LABOR TO CHANGE. DISCUSSIONS WITH VARIOUS DEALER PARTS PERSONNEL SIMPLY RESULTS IN A SHRUG OF THE SHOULDERS. THE DESIGN OF THE SHIFT SYSTEM KEEPS THE PARTS FROM COMING APART BUT LEADS TO VERY SLOPPY/DIFFICULT SHIFTING WHEN THIS PART IS WORN. THERE ARE TWO OF THESE ON EACH VEHICLE. I CAN NOT TELL YOU IF THEY ARE IDENTICAL OR NOT, BUT I SUSPECT THEY ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SIZES TO KEEP THEM FROM GETTING CROSSED DURING ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10133062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsport, PACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING THROUGH A LIGHT AT 10 MILES PER HOUR WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10101762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWausau, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAM SHAFT BROKE AT 60,000 MILES ON A VACATION TRIP.... COST OF ON ROAD REPAIRS... $600.
NHTSA complaint #10065598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS ON DODGE SHADOW BECOME TRANSLUCENT WITH AGE. LAMPS CAN BE SEEN BY ONCOMING CARS BUT DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD. OKAY ON WELL-LIT CITY STREETS BUT HEADLIGHTS HAVE ALMOST NO EFFECT IN THE COUNTRY. THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, AND CLEARLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE MANUFACTURER TO LET IT HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10054394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesWashington TWP, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL, TAIL LAMP, BRAKE LAMP WIRING, AND WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10018623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maplewood, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THE RIGHT BLINKER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED.*YH
NHTSA complaint #568165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunbury, PA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE DUE TO BROKEN LUGS AND STRUCK THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #564511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunbury, PA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE DUE TO BROKEN LUGS AND STRUCK THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #564511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Home, AR
AIR BAGS
ON THE BELT PULLY, I WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE AND THE BELT BLEW APART, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON NOW, THE LIGHTS, I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THAT DOES NOT FIX TH E PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #753916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Home, AR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ON THE BELT PULLY, I WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE AND THE BELT BLEW APART, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON NOW, THE LIGHTS, I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THAT DOES NOT FIX TH E PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #753916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Home, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ON THE BELT PULLY, I WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE AND THE BELT BLEW APART, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON NOW, THE LIGHTS, I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THAT DOES NOT FIX TH E PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #753916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STALL. THERE IS NO PRIOR WARNING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #898194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cartersville, GACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH, GOING DOWN A HILL, AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HIT A BUSH AND A TELEPHONE POLL, AND STOPPED ON IMPACT. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #895570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AT ABOUT 30-35MPH CAR ROLLED AND THE AIR BAG NEVER CAME OUT
NHTSA complaint #9002780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #745480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR ,CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #882544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS RECEIVING RECALL REPAIR 99V212 WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, THE SEAT WAS BROKEN AND WAS IN A RECLINING POSITION WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, CONSUMER TRADED THE CAR IN AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #554311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Webster, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
INTERMITTENT STALLING - ENGINE STALLS WHEN GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED.
NHTSA complaint #735021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wise, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE CAR HAS PLASTIC LENS COVERS OVER A SEALED UNIT ON THE HEADLIGHTS. MOISTURE COLLECTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC ENCLOSURE AND THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME CLOUDED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS I AM TOLD WILL TAKE ALMOST 2 HOURS IN LABOR THEREBY NECCESSITATING AN UNREASONABLE CHARGE DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS. ALSO THE ADJUSTMENT DEVICE TO AIM HEADLIGHTS DOES NOT FUNCTION DUE TO POOR DESIGN. TO CURE MY PROBLEM WILL REQUIRE ME TO BUY COMPLETELY NEW HEADLIGHTS AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REPLACEMENTS. HAS THIS ISSUE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE? IF SO DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? THANK YOU, JOHN BAUGH.
NHTSA complaint #732318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkview, WV
SEATS
LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLTS BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH COULD CAUSE SEAT TO RELEASE FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION. VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SEAT. RECALL NUMBER 99V212000. .*AK THE RECALL WAS FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT FAILURE BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #869129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Churchville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
PASSING A VEHICLE AT 45 MPH. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH FOOT OFF GAS TO ABOUT 65MPH. PUMPED BRAKES AND APPLIED PRESSURE TO SLOW VEHICLE. CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING. FINALLY SLOWED TO ABOUT 45. LET FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR ACCELERATED "OUT OF CONTROL" UNTIL BRAKE PRESSURE SLOWED CAR AGAIN. CAUTIOUSLY LIFTED FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR OPERATED "NORMALLY". CONTACTED CORTESE DODGE (DEALER IN ROCHESTER, NY) AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A CABLE THAT "GOT STUCK". THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL CARS THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. AND "...COME TO THINK OF IT, THEY WERE ALL DODGE SHADOWS." FORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN A RURAL AREA WITH NO CROSS STREETS OR IMMINENT INTERSECTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #726511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Churchville, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PASSING A VEHICLE AT 45 MPH. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH FOOT OFF GAS TO ABOUT 65MPH. PUMPED BRAKES AND APPLIED PRESSURE TO SLOW VEHICLE. CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING. FINALLY SLOWED TO ABOUT 45. LET FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR ACCELERATED "OUT OF CONTROL" UNTIL BRAKE PRESSURE SLOWED CAR AGAIN. CAUTIOUSLY LIFTED FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR OPERATED "NORMALLY". CONTACTED CORTESE DODGE (DEALER IN ROCHESTER, NY) AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A CABLE THAT "GOT STUCK". THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL CARS THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. AND "...COME TO THINK OF IT, THEY WERE ALL DODGE SHADOWS." FORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN A RURAL AREA WITH NO CROSS STREETS OR IMMINENT INTERSECTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #726511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.