Model year guide

1989 Dodge shadow

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Dodge shadow is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1989 Dodge shadow — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1989 Dodge shadow at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints43
Combined19–25 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Dodge shadow recalls 3

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #08E033000 · 14/04/2008

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.

Fix: 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.

Seat Belts NHTSA Campaign #92V053000 · 13/04/1992

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS CAN MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Fix: REPLACE THE SYSTEM DRIVE AND RAIL ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED COMPONENTS.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #89V237000 · 27/12/1989

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1989 Dodge shadow common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1989 Dodge shadow MPG & running costs

Combined19–25 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,283
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,417 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1989 Dodge shadow costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,415
Fuel only$16,415
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
171.7 in
Width
67.3 in
Height
52.8 in
Wheelbase
96.9 in
Curb weight
2,602–2,624 lb
Front track
57.5 in
Rear track
57.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 Dodge shadow — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 3

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA91043 · Seat Belts · opened Oct 1991 · closed Apr 1992

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #PE91082 · Seat Belts · opened Jun 1991 · closed Oct 1991

STEERING GEAR BOLTS LOOSEN Closed

NHTSA #PE91065 · Steering · opened Apr 1991 · closed Aug 1991

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 17

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ

Bulletin 2100601 · Power Train · Mar 2001

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

Bulletin 0800600REV · Electrical System · Dec 2000

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Bulletin 2300800B · Seats · Nov 2000

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Bulletin 230800 · Seats · Mar 2000

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

Bulletin 080600 · Electrical System · Feb 2000

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

Bulletin 233599REVA · Structure · Oct 1999

INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Bulletin 233599 · Seats · Sep 1999

THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY AND INSTALLATION OF A RESUABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET. *TT

Bulletin 210599A · Power Train · Sep 1999

INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK

Bulletin 081698 · Equipment · Apr 1998

VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC

Bulletin 070397 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 1997

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SHADOW. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Dodge shadow. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Engine

ON VEHICLES WITH 2.2 LITRE OR 2.5 LITRE EFI(NON-TURBO) ENGINE, THE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY LEAK OIL CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: VALVE COVER GASKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED COVER AND RTV SEALANT APPLIED IN PLACE OF THE GASKET.

Transport Canada #1989178 · Dec 1989

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Dodge shadow

The Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance are compact 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks that were introduced for the 1987 model year by the Chrysler Corporation. For 1991, a 2-door convertible variant was added to the Shadow lineup; this bodystyle was not offered by Plymouth. The Sundance/Shadow replaced the Omni/Horizon models of their respective marque.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1989 Dodge shadow trims & engines on record

Engines
2.2L 4-cyl

1989 Dodge shadow vehicles on record

1989 Dodge shadow 1989 Dodge shadow1B3BP44DXKN663432

Other Dodge shadow model years

1994 1993

1989 Dodge shadow — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Dodge shadow have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1989 Dodge shadow. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Dodge shadow?

Across all 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, engine and engine cooling, power train.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Dodge shadow get?

The 1989 Dodge shadow has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.