RoadVitals

1993 Plymouth Laser

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.
15
Latest Jan 14, 2013
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.
1
Latest Apr 7, 1998
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.
4
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.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Plymouth Laser, most frequently naming the transmission, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 9 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

  • Transmission527.8%
  • Engine316.7%
  • Powertrain (other)211.1%
  • Brakes211.1%
  • Interior & seats15.6%
  • Body & structure15.6%
  • Seat belts15.6%
  • Suspension15.6%

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

1 campaign 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
98V069002

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Apr 7, 1998
42,214 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP03002ClosedDefect Petition

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION

Opened May 7, 2003
Closed Jul 22, 2003

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.

STEERING:COLUMN
EA98002ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP

Opened Jan 30, 1998
Closed Apr 30, 1998
WHEELSLed to recall 98V069001
PE97040ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP

Opened Sep 4, 1997
Closed Jan 30, 1998

ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.

WHEELS
PE94074ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HOOD FLY-UP

Opened Oct 12, 1994
Closed Feb 24, 1995

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 15
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 14, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PLYMOUTH LASER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED OIL ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V069002 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,902. UPDATED 02/26/13* LJ

NHTSA ID
10492904
Incident
Jan 9, 2013
Mileage
137,902 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 30, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PLYMOUTH LASER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ALL FOUR OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS LOCKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE, SEAL, AND YOKE FAILED, AND FLUIDS SLOWLY LEAKED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE TO LOCK. THE CONTACT ROCKED THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH, PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE VEHICLE, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THERE WAS SAFETY RECALL # 98V069002 CONCERNING POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PERTAINING TO THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED, BUT WOULD REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 96,500, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,002.*AK

NHTSA ID
10189259
Incident
Feb 2, 2007
Mileage
96,002 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM TRANSFER CASE. THE MECHANIC ALSO FOUND A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE RECALL WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR SINCE THE RECALL WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. AK

NHTSA ID
10147121
Incident
Dec 24, 2005
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 20, 2004
Crash reported

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT THE ABS BRAKES ENGAGED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD AND PULSATED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN ICY SURFACE. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN TWO CRASHES. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A CEMENT PARKING BLOCK AND RAN INTO A BRICK BUILDING. THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE ABS FUSE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10067504
Incident
May 12, 2003
Mileage
72,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 1, 2000

THE REAR AXLE WAS BENT IN AN ACCIDENT AND REPLACEMENT PART THAT MEETS MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATION COULD NOT BE FOUND, OWNER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL AXLES THAT DO NOT MEET THE MANUFACTURERS STANDARDS. YH

NHTSA ID
553359
Incident
Jul 15, 1999
Transmission
Filed Jun 7, 2000

THE CAR KEPT STALLING EVERY TIME I TRIED TO TURN IT ON. IT WOULD NOT IDLE, BUT WOULD RUN IF YOU CONTINUALLY GAVE IT GAS. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THEY CLEANED THE STARTER PLATE, WHICH HELPED FOR A DAY, BUT THE CAR HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. IT IS WORST WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. THE CAR HAS ALSO STARTED TICKING SINCE THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED, BUT THE CAR CAR HAS HAD ALL NEW BELTS AND A NEW TENSIONER FOR THE TIMING BELT PUT INTO IT, PLUS THE EXHAUST HAS BEEN CHECKED AN NO LEAKS HAVE BEEN FOUND. *AK

NHTSA ID
723721
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Transmission
Filed May 24, 2000

WHEN DRIVING TRANSFER CASE LOCKS UP DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. ALSO, WILL HAVE TO TIGHTEN TRANSMISSION BOLT EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS. *AK

NHTSA ID
862467
Incident
Mar 15, 2000
Transmission
Filed Jan 13, 2000

COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION BEHAVIOR (SLIPPING INTO GEAR, NOT ENGAGING IMMEDIATELY WHEN PUT IN GEAR), WHEN I HAD FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. AT 5204 MILEAGE, I RETURNEDTO THE DEALER ,AND HAD TRANSMISSION EXAMINED (I HAVE THE REPAIR ORDER), AND WAS TOLD ALL THE NEW TRANSMISSIONS BEHAVED THIS WAY. IT WAS VERY IRRITATING AND THE PROBLEM PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT TOTALLY STOP FUNCTIONING UNTIL ON MY WAY TO WORK 7/22/98 AT MILEAGE 67927. I CONTACTED ANOTHER CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA (SINCE THE ONE I PURCHASED FROM HAD CLOSED), AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE I WAS OVER THE 60000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION CUSTOMER SUPPORT, AND WAS ALSO TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED ME $131.00 FOR HAVING MY CAR REPAINTED DO TO THE DETERIORATING PAINT CONDITIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS CAR (ANOTHER VERY LONG STORY AND BATTLE). SINCE I COULD NOT GET ANY HELP AT THE DEALERSHIP, I TOOK THE CAR TO HONEYCUTT TRANSMISSION & AUTO REPAIR, 2734 S. WILMINGTON STREET, RALEIGH, NC 27603 (919) 834-0588 WHERE THEY MADE ADJUSTMENTS AND GOT ME RUNNING AGAIN. THREE MONTHS LATER, I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER TOTAL FAILURE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED AGAIN TO HONEYCUTT. THIS TIME THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $1,686.06. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT NEED REPLACING AT OVER $3,000.00. *AK

NHTSA ID
717284
Incident
Oct 22, 1998

Manufacturer communications

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

R2118796A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

2300800B

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

230800

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

080600

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

233599REVA

STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

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 Laser by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998200—
1996001—
1995102—
1994413—
1993Viewing151453.2
1992351346.3
1991301248.7
1990294252.2
1987011—

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.