NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Frontal
1221.8%
Rear
916.4%
Automatic Transmission
814.5%
Ignition
712.7%
Headlights
610.9%
Gasoline
59.1%
Engine
59.1%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
35.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 6Jun 2011
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE96036Opened 14 May 1996Closed 31 Oct 1996VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE96008Opened 25 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
PE91080Opened 30 May 1991Closed 30 Sep 1991ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATION
Recalls on the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
91V122000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
Risk: LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
90V194000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Risk: AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
90V162000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19911066,453 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES WITH A 50/50 BENCH SEAT, THE FRONT OUTBOARD PASSENGER SEAT BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND/ OR UNLATCH DUE TO A BELT WEBBING STIFFENER WHICH COULD ENTER THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGE THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE. THIS COULD ALSO RESULT IN PARTIAL LATCH ENGAGEMENT. CORRECTION: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED VERSION IF NECESSARY.
Recall 1990141977 units in Canada
Brakes
THE FRONT DISC CALIPER GUIDE BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED ADEQUATELY. THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME DEGREE OF ABNORMAL BRAKE FUNCTION. CORRECTION: FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Salem, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
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)
NHTSA complaint #10409955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 171,000 milesMorrow, GACrash2 injured
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10175685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cambridge, MA1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10015813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #748229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE DASH VENTS.
NHTSA complaint #726111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake IN THE Hills, ILCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS GOING 35MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN STOP SIGN AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. ACCLAIM WAS CROSSING INTERSECTION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #845007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Salem, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
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)
NHTSA complaint #10409955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 171,000 milesMorrow, GACrash2 injured
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10175685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM 1991, SPRINGS IN FRONT DOORS TOO STRONG. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10117141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesRockledge, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
BAD PAINT WHICH IS NOW PEELING OFF THE HOOD AND ROOF, THOUGH THE REST OF THE CAR IS JUST FINE.
NHTSA complaint #10057001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAD AXE, MI
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO SATISFY HIM AS A LONG TIME CUSTOMER. MR SCC
NHTSA complaint #10017363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cambridge, MA1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10015813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
STRUCTURE
THE PAINT ON THIS VEHICLE IS JUST FALLING OFF IN SPLOTCHES. A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE SAID THAT WAS TYPICAL OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. HE CLAIMS THE MANUFACTURER USED THE INCORRECT PRIMER AND FINAL PAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10014011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philapelphia, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #8011298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MAX, ND
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
NHTSA complaint #762261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MAX, ND
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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
NHTSA complaint #762261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Adrian, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE. ALSO EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS BLOWING OUT BLUE SMOKE FROM PIPE AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8003431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #748229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olympia, WA
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
NHTSA complaint #744663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olympia, WA
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
NHTSA complaint #744663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CONSUMER WILL PUT HEATING UNIT ON HEAT SETTING OR VENT SETTING AND WHEN ACCELERATING, IT KICKS INTO DEFROST MOVING THE AIR CIRCULATION FROM PROPER VENTILATION TO DASH VENTILATION, ALSO CAUSING ENGINE TO REV UP.
NHTSA complaint #785327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
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
NHTSA complaint #785327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE DASH VENTS.
NHTSA complaint #726111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SPORADIC BEHAVIOR, VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #856522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FEL PUMP FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #77777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUN City, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WON'T GO FORWARD AND THE ENGINE RACED. TOWED TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #850272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUN City, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WON'T GO FORWARD AND THE ENGINE RACED. TOWED TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #850272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisburg, KS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #850967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisburg, KS
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #850967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisburg, KS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
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.
NHTSA complaint #850967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hudson, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON TWO OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #548321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.