Model year guide

1994 Dodge Shadow

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 Dodge Shadow is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1994 Dodge Shadow — representative photo
Representative photo

1994 Dodge Shadow at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints131
Combined18–25 mpg

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

1994 Dodge Shadow recalls 1

Seats:front Assembly:recliner NHTSA Campaign #99V212000 · manufacturer #729 · 06/08/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.

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.

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.

1994 Dodge Shadow common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1994 Dodge Shadow MPG & running costs

Combined18–25 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,133
EPA size classCompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,667 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 1994 Dodge Shadow costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,665
Fuel only$15,665
Per mile$0.21

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
172.0 in
Width
67.3 in
Height
53.1 in
Wheelbase
97.2 in
Curb weight
2,608–2,643 lb
Front track
57.5 in
Rear track
57.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1994 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

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION Closed

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSA FURTHER 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, E…

NHTSA #DP03002 · Steering · opened May 2003 · closed Jul 2003

SEAT BACK FAILURE Closed

THE SEAT RECLINER'S LOWER BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK CAUSING THE SET BACK TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA #RQ99006 · Seats · opened May 1999 · closed Feb 2000

SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION Closed

NHTSA #PE96008 · Seat Belts · opened Jan 1996 · closed Jun 1996

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

Manufacturer service bulletins 40

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 40.

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

Bulletin R2118796A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2016

SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT

Bulletin 0801001 · Electrical System · May 2001

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 NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT

Bulletin 082700 · Air Bags · Sep 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

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT

Bulletin 083799 · Air Bags · Nov 1999

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

Bulletin 233599REVA · Structure · Oct 1999

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

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.

1994 Dodge Shadow vehicles on record

1994 Dodge Shadow 1994 Dodge Shadow1B3AP24D7RN117200

Other Dodge Shadow model years

1993 1989

1994 Dodge Shadow — frequently asked questions

Does the 1994 Dodge Shadow have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1994 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 1994 Dodge Shadow?

Across all 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, air bags, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Dodge Shadow get?

The 1994 Dodge Shadow has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–25 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.