Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1990 vs 1991 DODGE SHADOW

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 431 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 128.2% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1990 share 1991 share Share change
AIR BAGS 35.9% 14.6% ▼ 21.3 pts smaller share
ENGINE 18.0% 9.0% ▼ 9.0 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES not reported 6.7% ▲ 6.7 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7.7% 1.1% ▼ 6.6 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 2.6% 9.0% ▲ 6.4 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 2.6% 6.7% ▲ 4.2 pts larger share
STEERING 5.1% 9.0% ▲ 3.9 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 5.1% 2.3% ▼ 2.9 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 2.6% not reported ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share
WHEELS 2.6% not reported ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY not reported 2.3% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 7.7% 5.6% ▼ 2.1 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7.7% 5.6% ▼ 2.1 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.6% 4.5% ▲ 1.9 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 74.4% 76.4% ▲ 2.0 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1990 2

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1991 5

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, SEATS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, and STEERING

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
5 → 2
◆ Injuries
10 → 18