1993 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 1993 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
- Suspension1416.5%
- Airbags1112.9%
- Engine1112.9%
- Electrical1011.8%
- Powertrain (other)89.4%
- Transmission78.2%
- Driver assistance44.7%
- Brakes44.7%
- Steering44.7%
- Exterior lighting33.5%
- Visibility22.4%
- Other / unspecified22.4%
- Seat belts11.2%
- Interior & seats11.2%
- Fuel system11.2%
- Heating & air conditioning11.2%
- Body & structure11.2%
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS WITH STEERING DUE TO BUSHINGS & TRAILER ARM BEING BROKEN. WHEN EVER GOING OVER BUMPS OR HITTING THEM, REAR END WOULD MAKE NOISES.*AK
ALSO HAS CRACKED WELDS ON REAR AXLE CAUSING CREAKS WHILE TURNING
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 40MPH FRONT OF CAR COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THAT VEHICLE HAD NO AIRBAG SENSOR. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 93 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM 4 DOOR SEDAN WITH A 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THE TRANSMISSION AT STOPS STARTED TO SLIP CAR WOULDN'T EVEN MOVE FORWARD AT ALL THEN WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO BRING UP THE ENGINE RPMS IT JUMP FORWARD AND I HERD A HIGH PITCH SQUEALING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN...THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND NOW WONT EVEN SHIFT... WITH CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT ME AND WIFE BOUGHT IT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP....THIS IS SAD WHY CAUSE YOUR COMPANY HAS HAD ALOT OFF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION DEFECTS FOR YEARS .. AND STILL THIS COMPANY THAT SAYS IT PROTECTS THE PEOPLE IN THE US.. YOU YOUR COMPANY HAS DONE NOTHING MILLIONS OFF PEOPLE HAVE BOUGHT CARS FROM CHRYSLER,DODGE,PLYMOUTH, JEEP WITH THIS AUTO TRANSMISSIONS IN THEM...WHEN OR IF EVER WILL YOU PROTECT THE CONSUMERS.IF YOU CANT EVEN DO ANYTHING TO STOP COMPANY'S LIKE THEM FROM RIPPING PEOPLE OFF ..I SEE YOUR COMPANY WENT AFTER TOYOTA CORP FOR ITS DEFECTS.. JUST BECAUSE ITS A US MADE AUTO YOU SHOULD REALLY DO YOUR JOBS ..JUST BECAUSE THE CARS ARE OLD DOESN'T MEAN THERE ISN'T ALOT OFF THEM STILL ON THE ROADS TODAY..SO STOP IGNORING THE FACTS .. ABOUT THIS COMPANY'S THAT HAS HAD MILLIONS OF BAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS....A BAD TRANSMISSION CAN CAUSE UNTOLD OR EVEN UNKNOWN FATAL AUTO AND DEATHS ACCIDENTS...ACROSS THE HOLE WORLD WERE THERE BEING DRIVIN.. NTO TO SAY HOW MANY CONSUMERS HAD TO SPEND OUT OF THERE OWN POCKETS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A COST OFF AT LEAST 1,500 TO 2,000 DOLLARS FROM THE YEARS OFF 1980 TO THE PRESENT DAY WHEN IT WAS A DEFECTIVE AUTO PART TO BEGIN WITH......SORRY TO BE SO NEGATIVE TO YOU BUT ISN'T IT YOUR JOBS TO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS OFF THE UNITED STATES... *TR
THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON THE HIGHWAY (OHIO TURNPIKE), WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SCC
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING A DARK COLORED SMOKE CAME FROM EXHAUST, THERE WAS A NOISE IN ENGINE, RESULTING IN A FIRE. DEALER CONTACTED. COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK WHEN VEHICLE IS AT IDLE, IT OPERATES ROUGH, THEN VERY DARK SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST, AFTER 2 MINUTES THE PRIMARY RELAY RATTLES AND THEN THE A/C RELAY, THE ACCELERATOR RACES. THE WIRES IN THE HARNESS WIRE JACKET DISCHARGE A WHITE SMOKE AND THEN THE ENGINE IDLES DOWN WITH A SMOOTH SOUND. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, MECHANIC STATES POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *SLC
ELECTRICAL WIRING IN STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUISNG THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY HALFWAY, AND NO ELECTRIAL POWER WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 93 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM 4 DOOR SEDAN WITH A 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THE TRANSMISSION AT STOPS STARTED TO SLIP CAR WOULDN'T EVEN MOVE FORWARD AT ALL THEN WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO BRING UP THE ENGINE RPMS IT JUMP FORWARD AND I HERD A HIGH PITCH SQUEALING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN...THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND NOW WONT EVEN SHIFT... WITH CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT ME AND WIFE BOUGHT IT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP....THIS IS SAD WHY CAUSE YOUR COMPANY HAS HAD ALOT OFF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION DEFECTS FOR YEARS .. AND STILL THIS COMPANY THAT SAYS IT PROTECTS THE PEOPLE IN THE US.. YOU YOUR COMPANY HAS DONE NOTHING MILLIONS OFF PEOPLE HAVE BOUGHT CARS FROM CHRYSLER,DODGE,PLYMOUTH, JEEP WITH THIS AUTO TRANSMISSIONS IN THEM...WHEN OR IF EVER WILL YOU PROTECT THE CONSUMERS.IF YOU CANT EVEN DO ANYTHING TO STOP COMPANY'S LIKE THEM FROM RIPPING PEOPLE OFF ..I SEE YOUR COMPANY WENT AFTER TOYOTA CORP FOR ITS DEFECTS.. JUST BECAUSE ITS A US MADE AUTO YOU SHOULD REALLY DO YOUR JOBS ..JUST BECAUSE THE CARS ARE OLD DOESN'T MEAN THERE ISN'T ALOT OFF THEM STILL ON THE ROADS TODAY..SO STOP IGNORING THE FACTS .. ABOUT THIS COMPANY'S THAT HAS HAD MILLIONS OF BAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS....A BAD TRANSMISSION CAN CAUSE UNTOLD OR EVEN UNKNOWN FATAL AUTO AND DEATHS ACCIDENTS...ACROSS THE HOLE WORLD WERE THERE BEING DRIVIN.. NTO TO SAY HOW MANY CONSUMERS HAD TO SPEND OUT OF THERE OWN POCKETS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A COST OFF AT LEAST 1,500 TO 2,000 DOLLARS FROM THE YEARS OFF 1980 TO THE PRESENT DAY WHEN IT WAS A DEFECTIVE AUTO PART TO BEGIN WITH......SORRY TO BE SO NEGATIVE TO YOU BUT ISN'T IT YOUR JOBS TO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS OFF THE UNITED STATES... *TR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
POSSIBLE PCM FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. NLM
CONSUMER HAD TO ADD TRANSMISSION OIL. THEN, CONSUMER TRIED TO SHIFT GEAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT WORK IN ANY GEAR , REVERSE WILL WORK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROTTLE STICKS IN THE OPEN POSITION, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE THROTTLE STICKS AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD NOISE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS BENT IN DUE TO BRAKE CABLE SHEARING OFF ALL BOLTS. WHEN TOWED WHEEL FELL OFF. WILL CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WEAR DUE TO A CALIPER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUM REPLACED THE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION. *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
THE PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE NHTSA DATABASE! NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
ENGINE OIL LEAK FROM FAULTY VALVE COVER.
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
MY 1993 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM'S FRONT HEADLIGHTS COLLECT WATER AND EVENTUALLY BURN OUT THE HEADLAMPS. ALSO CAUSES POOR VISABILITY FOR NIGHT DRIVING. I WOULD LIKE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS SINCE I FEEL I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $120.00 FOR EACH.
THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BECOMES A FISHBOWL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *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
IN HEAVY RAIN STORM OR A HEAVY LOAD ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE WIPERS CAME LOOSE AND BROKE OFF, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER FIXED THIS PROBLEM 6 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
SHORT IN REAR DEFROSTER, CAUSING SMOKE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1993 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM'S FRONT HEADLIGHTS COLLECT WATER AND EVENTUALLY BURN OUT THE HEADLAMPS. ALSO CAUSES POOR VISABILITY FOR NIGHT DRIVING. I WOULD LIKE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS SINCE I FEEL I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $120.00 FOR EACH.
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD NOISE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS BENT IN DUE TO BRAKE CABLE SHEARING OFF ALL BOLTS. WHEN TOWED WHEEL FELL OFF. WILL CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *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
AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD DRIVER. TT
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
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 65MPH, SUDDENLY DRIVER'S SEATBACK REST COLLAPSED TOTALLY FLAT TO REAR SEAT, WHEN BOLT NUT CAME OUT. *AK
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
FUEL LINES LEAK. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE,ALSO AIR CONDITIONER INOPRERATIVE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE OIL LEAK FROM FAULTY VALVE COVER.
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 .