1991 Plymouth Acclaim Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1412.6%
- Driver assistance1210.8%
- Engine119.9%
- Transmission119.9%
- Electrical119.9%
- Suspension109.0%
- Body & structure76.3%
- Seat belts76.3%
- Exterior lighting65.4%
- Fuel system54.5%
- Brakes54.5%
- Interior & seats43.6%
- Powertrain (other)32.7%
- Visibility32.7%
- Steering21.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER DROVE OVER AN EXPOSED PORTION OF A RAILROAD TRACK AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER SUSTAINING BURNS FROM THE DEPLOYMENT CHEMICALS. *JB
VEHICLE WAS STOLEN, TRAVELING WET ROAD, APPROX. 40MPH, LOST CONTROL, HIT AND BROKE TELEPHONE POLE, FRONTAL DAMAGE,BENT FRAME, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAR PURCHASED 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO INCIDENT, THIEF FLED SCENE. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WON'T GO FORWARD AND THE ENGINE RACED. TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND IT LOCKED UP. CONTACTED DEALER AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 BLOCKS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED AN ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE CONTROLLER. THE ORIGINAL CONTROLLER WAS NOT REPROGRAMMABLE. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM OF LOCKING IN 2ND GEAR. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1991 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON IR 76 IN THE RIGHT LANE, WHEN THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ONTO THE RIGHT BERM BECAUSE OF ENGINE TROUBLE, WHICH THE VEHICLE THEN IGNITED INTO FLAMES AND WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE FIRE MAY HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AREA OF THE MUFFLER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0381-91)*JB
COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE. ALSO EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS BLOWING OUT BLUE SMOKE FROM PIPE AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT 28-32 MPH VEHICLE JERKS/SHIFTS TO SECOND GEAR, AND RPMS GO TO 3000-4000. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT THIS POINT. TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN SECOND GEAR,.CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF ENGINE TO GET OUT OF SECOND GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE AT 55 MPH, ALL OTHER TIMES AT 28-32MPH.*AK
VEHICLE SEEMS TO DOWNSHIFT, OR NOT GET ENOUGH GAS, DRIVING IT WILL GO INTO LOWER GEAR, ENGINE WILL REV, ODOMETER GOES OVER 5, IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM SHUTTING OFF, I DRIVE IT IN LOWER GEAR. FIRST STARTED AFTER DRIVING APP. 50 MILES, NOW IT WON'T STAY RUNNING. HAVE REPLACED THE COIL, DID NOT HELP*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE DASH VENTS. *AK
DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT AND BURNED THREE WIRES.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE SEEMS TO DOWNSHIFT, OR NOT GET ENOUGH GAS, DRIVING IT WILL GO INTO LOWER GEAR, ENGINE WILL REV, ODOMETER GOES OVER 5, IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM SHUTTING OFF, I DRIVE IT IN LOWER GEAR. FIRST STARTED AFTER DRIVING APP. 50 MILES, NOW IT WON'T STAY RUNNING. HAVE REPLACED THE COIL, DID NOT HELP*AK
THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON TWO SIMILAR VEHICLES, ALSO ON EVERY SPIRIT, ACCLAIM, SUNDANCE, SHADOW I'VE SEEN ON THE ROAD OR IN THE JUNKYARD. THIS PIECE OF CONDUIT RUNNING BETWEEN THE SPINDLE PLATES HAS CRACKED ON EVERY ONE I'VE COME ACROSS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR, THINKING IT WAS OK BUT THE DEALER OR PREVIOUS OWNER HAD SHOVED RUBBER HOSING UP INTO THE VOICE BETWEEN AXLE AND TUBE TO KEEP IT QUIET. THE MANUFACTURER/DEALERSHIP WANTS OVER $1200 TO FIX BY COMPLETE REPLACEMENT, SAYS IT HAS TO BE DONE BUT WON'T EXPLAIN WHAT THIS TUBE IS SUPPOSED TO ACCOMPLISH OR WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF NOT REPLACED. COULD THIS BE A SAFETY ISSUE? I COULD AFFORD TO FIX IF I KNEW IT WASN'T JUST GOING TO BUST AGAIN, BUT HOW ABOUT ALL THE POORER FOLK OUT THERE WHO WILL JIMMY IT UP AND PASS IT ALONG? THIS IS A CASE OF REALLY POOR DESIGN. I'VE HEARD OF THESE FAILING AT 40,000 MILES OR LESS. THE WELD CRACKS OR THE TUBE CRACKS AT EITHER SPINDLE PLATE. IF IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, WHY HAVE THE THING ON THERE AT ALL? THANKS FOR LISTENING.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM 1991, SPRINGS IN FRONT DOORS TOO STRONG. *BF *JB
BAD PAINT WHICH IS NOW PEELING OFF THE HOOD AND ROOF, THOUGH THE REST OF THE CAR IS JUST FINE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ADJUSTER ON THE SIDE IS COMING LOOSE FROM USE. IT WILL NOT ADJUST THE SHOLDER BELT PROPERLY ACROSS MY 3YR OLD SON'S BODY, WG=HEN THE SEAT IS USED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE READ SEAT. I AM GOING TO CONTACT FISHER-PRICE TOMMARROW AND LET THEM KNOW THE DATE OF MGG ON THE MODEL 79750 IS 2/18/98. WE BOUGHT IT NEW ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. THJANKS CHUCK
DURING FRONTAL CRASH SEAT BELT DIDNT LOCK AND AIRBAG DIDNT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEALS ON BOTH FRONT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED ALLOWING MOISTURE AND DUST TO ENTER, THUS CLOUDING THE LENSES AND REFLECTORS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LIGHTING IS GREATLY DIMINISHED (AT LEAST 50%). THE MANUFACTURER OUGHT TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE UNITS. ADDITIONAL PROBLEM WITH LIGHTING: THE HEADLAMP DIMMER SWITCH HAS FAILED --- WHEN I USE THE FLASHER TO GO TO THE HIGH BEAM, ALL LIGHTS GO OUT - BLACK, WITH A 100% LOSS OF VISION -- A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM.
MOISTURE BUILDS UP IN THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS UNTILL A POOL OF WATER DEVEOPES. THIS POOL OF WATER THAN MOVES AROUND INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT CAUSING THE HOT HALOGEN BULB TO BURST AND ALL OF SUDDEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANY HEADLIGHTS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FEL PUMP FAILURE.
THE TOP OF FUEL PUMP LEAKED AND THE GAS WENT THROUGH THE PLUG BECAUSE THE PLUG HAD MELTED AND THE WIRE GOT REAL HOT. *AK *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE REVS WHILE STOPPED, CONSUMER HAS TO PRESS HARD ON BRAKES IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE FORWARD, THE PROBLEM OCCURS MORE WHEN THE VEHICLES AIR CONDITIONING/DEFROST SYSTEM IS ON, WHEN MECHANIC REPAIRS THE VACUUM LEAKS, IT HELPS FOR A WHILE, BUT THEN THE PROBLEM RESURFACES. NLM
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, RESULTING IN SEVERE SHAKING OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, ALSO WELD BROKE ON REAR TRAILING ARM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR CAUSING THE DRIVERS SEAT TO BREAK AND FALLING BACK INTO THE REAR SEAT AND LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CONTINUING ANOTHER 200 FEET BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RECOVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. *JB
HOOD LATCH SAFETY CATCH DOES NOT CLOSE SECURELY. HEARS A CLICK LIKE IT HAS LOCKED AND THEN SUDDENLY IT FLIES UP. TOOK TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY REPAIRED IT, BUT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO SATISFY HIM AS A LONG TIME CUSTOMER. MR SCC *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND IT LOCKED UP. CONTACTED DEALER AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 BLOCKS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED AN ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE CONTROLLER. THE ORIGINAL CONTROLLER WAS NOT REPROGRAMMABLE. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM OF LOCKING IN 2ND GEAR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE REVS WHILE STOPPED, CONSUMER HAS TO PRESS HARD ON BRAKES IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE FORWARD, THE PROBLEM OCCURS MORE WHEN THE VEHICLES AIR CONDITIONING/DEFROST SYSTEM IS ON, WHEN MECHANIC REPAIRS THE VACUUM LEAKS, IT HELPS FOR A WHILE, BUT THEN THE PROBLEM RESURFACES. NLM
VEHICLE RUNNING FAN GETS HOT, MELTS PLASTIC UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SMOKE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO CATCH FIRE. *AK
VEHICLE STALLS OUT AT ANY SPEED, RESULTING IN STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY LOSS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .