RoadVitals

1990 Plymouth Acclaim

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
60
Latest Oct 31, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 14, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
19
12 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 60 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Plymouth Acclaim, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 30 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1624.6%
  • Airbags1320.0%
  • Transmission710.8%
  • Suspension69.2%
  • Electrical57.7%
  • Seat belts57.7%
  • Interior & seats57.7%
  • Visibility23.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION

Apr 14, 2008
6,903 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: 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.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Dec 27, 1989
634,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
The risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Oct 31, 2023
2 injuries reported

July 2017 I was hit by a drunk driver of which I was a passenger in my vehicle upon impact my seatbelts automatically released and my airbags did not deploy causing my driver to be ejected from the vehicle and for me to hit my head on my dash and then be smashed into my windshield then finally when the car stopped rolling I was in the back seat no longer in the front passenger seat to end up in the backseat when I was sitting originally in the front passenger. I was injured severely due to the lack of my seatbelts working correctly and it caused me to have a broken back and eight places a broken pelvis that pierced my liver and gallbladder and broke my collarbone legs and arms I had to be given full blood transfusion and I maxed out the other cars insurance and my uninsured motorist ins while my injuries pain and medical was over $150000 I only received a few thousand and now have chronic pain and related health issues due to the damage to my liver

NHTSA ID
11552816
Incident
Jul 12, 2017
Seat belts
Filed Sep 7, 2021
Crash reported2 injuries reported

both the drivers and the passengers front seat belts did not work correctly, If i repeadely inserted the clasp in and out, eventually they would click, but then later they would release, when i was in a very bad car accident july 13 2017, both the driver of my vehicle and i both had our seatbelts on and clasped, and upon impact the belts released and the driver was ejected from the vehicle and i hit my head and was banged and tossed around the vehicle as it spun and rolled, and when it was over i was no longer in teh front of the car, i was in the back seat, and i had injuries to my organs, i almost died, and i broke my back, my collar bone, legs and arms, because my seat belt released upon impact immediatly.

NHTSA ID
11432058
Incident
Jul 13, 2017
Seat belts
Filed Mar 12, 2021
Crash reported2 injuries reported

JULY 2017 I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY OWN VEHICLE AND ME AND MY DRIVER WERE BOTH WEARING THE SEATBELTS, THAT AT IMPACT RELEASED AND HE WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE DOOR THAT HAD OPENED ON IMPACT AND IN THE SPIN IN THE AIR WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE CAR, I HIT MY HEAD ON THE DASH, BOTH SEATBELTS WERE FAULTY, IT WAS DIFFICULT WHEN PUTTING THEM ON TO GET THEM TO GRASP, YOU WOULD HAVE TO REPEATEDLY AND WITH ALOT OF FORCE OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL IT WOULD GRAB, WE BOTH HAD GOTTEN THE SEAT BELTS TO ENGAGE BUT ON IMPACT THEY INSTANTLY RELEASED

NHTSA ID
11402639
Incident
Jul 12, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Jun 1, 2006

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW PROBLEMS. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE MOTOR HAD FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10159470
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Airbags
Filed May 18, 2004
Crash reported

ON MARCH 16, 2004, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON ICY PAVEMENT, THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RAN INTO A TREE INSTEAD. UPON IMPACT, NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10073830
Incident
Mar 16, 2004
Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2003
Fire reported

VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN A BIG BANG WAS HEARD. SMOKE STARTED COMING THROUGH THE DASH BOARD. SPARKS WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. ONCE ON THE SHOULDER, THE VEHICLE BURNED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END BURNED THROUGH, THE ONLY THING LEFT WAS THE REAR TIRES AND TAIL LIGHTS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. VEHICLE NEVER HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10047822
Incident
Jun 16, 2003
Engine
Filed Jul 9, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS WITHOUT WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10026833
Incident
Jul 9, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Jan 17, 2003
Crash reported

CONSUMER STATES, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT CAUSING PASSENGER TO GO THROUGH WINDSHIELD. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
10004140
Incident
Oct 19, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

0801001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

2100601

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

2300800B

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

082700

AIR BAGS

SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT

230800

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Plymouth Acclaim by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996101
1995300245.1
1994691252.8
1993720248.0
1992631255.8
1991973364.0
1990Viewing602059.5
1989332148.3
1988100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.