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1988 Dodge Shadow

Common problems & what to know before you buy

Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 1988 Dodge Shadow.

Recall campaigns
3
Owner complaints
13, mostly seat belts
Safety record

Recalls on the 1988 Dodge Shadow

Recall·08E033000

Suspension

THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353.

Recall·88V129000

Seat belts: retractor

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LAP BELT RETRACTOR, WHICH INCORPORATES A CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKING FEATURE, MAY MALFUNCTION.

Recall·92V053000

Seat belts

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS CAN MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Source: NHTSA

Owner complaints

What 13 owners reported

Seat belts7
Steering2
Power train2
Engine and engine cooling2

Source: NHTSA

Specifications

1988 Dodge Shadow at a glance

Engine
2.2L 4-Cylinder, 2.5L 4-Cylinder
Transmission
Automatic 3-spd, Manual 5-spd
Drivetrain
FWD
Fuel
Gasoline
Body style
Hatchback
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Other Dodge Shadow years

1994199319921991199019891987

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 1988 Dodge Shadow?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1988 Dodge Shadow with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. There are 3 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.

Is the 1988 Dodge Shadow reliable?

Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 3 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.

Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 1988 Dodge Shadow?

Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 1988 Dodge Shadow listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.

Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.