RoadVitals

1994 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.
4
Latest Mar 30, 2001
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.
3
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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Plymouth Laser, most frequently naming the visibility, brakes and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 7 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

  • Visibility233.3%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Transmission
Filed Mar 30, 2001
Fire reported2 injuries reported

CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HOUSING EXPLODED, BLOWING TRANSMISSION AWAY FROM ENGINE, AND CAUSING AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT IT APPEARS THAT THE BOLTS CAME LOOSE OR BROKE IN THE PRESSURE PLATE, CHRYSLER IS STATING THAT ALL THE FAILURES ARE NOT THEIR PROBLEMS, TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. *SLC

NHTSA ID
884708
Incident
Feb 11, 2001
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Jun 1, 1999

THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED, THERE IS A MITSUBISHI ENGINE IN THIS CAR AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE 1994 LASERS, ECLIPSES OR TALONS HAVE BLOWN THE VALVES IN THEIR ENGINES AS WELL. I FEEL THIS IS CHEAPLY PUT TOGETHER AND I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER CAR FROM PLYMOUTH. IN THE 1 YEAR AND 9 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE PUT $4000.00 IN IT FOR ENGINE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
707062
Incident
Mar 1, 1999
Visibility
Filed Jan 31, 1995

STREAKS SEEMS TO APPEAR ON FRONT WINDSHIELD DURING RAINY WEATHER; WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT CLEAR WINDSHIELD; CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY; HAZARDOUS DRIVING. TT

NHTSA ID
959363
Incident
Nov 5, 1994
Brakes
Filed Jan 9, 1995

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
479333
Incident
Jun 1, 1994

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—
1994Viewing413—
1993151453.2
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.