Honda Shadow Problems by Year
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Honda Shadow, across 4 model years (1997–2002). The 2002 model year has the most complaints (10). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Honda Shadow years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Shadow year: 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2002 Shadow: 10 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Shadow: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 Shadow: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Honda Shadow problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Honda Shadow model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Shadow | 10 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 Shadow | 4 | 0 | — | Suspension | |
| 2000 Shadow | 4 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1997 Shadow | 4 | 0 | — | Electrical System |
More from Honda: all Honda models · Honda VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Shadow years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2002 (10) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Shadow year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Honda Shadow?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 4 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Honda Shadow have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.