Owners have filed 78 complaints
about the 1994 Plymouth Acclaim with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 54
Against the median year of the Plymouth Acclaim. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1994 compares with every other Plymouth Acclaim
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
719.4%
Automatic Transmission
719.4%
Gasoline
513.9%
Rear
411.1%
Engine
411.1%
Axle Assembly
38.3%
Recliner
38.3%
Buckle Assembly
38.3%
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 5Jun 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 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.
DP03002Opened 7 May 2003Closed 22 Jul 2003STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
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 IDENT...
PE96008Opened 25 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
Recalls on the 1994 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1999045231 units in Canada
Emissions
Certain Spirit and Acclaim with a 2.5 litre flex-fuel engine and Intrepid with a 3.3 litre flex-fuel engine do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1101 - Emission Device. The methanol fuel sensor may fail due to grounding of the circuit board and a software problem. Correction: An improved methanol concentration sensor will be installed on affected vehicles.
Recall 19940363,411 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 207 - ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. THE TRAVELLING SEAT BUCKLE LOCK BARS (SEAT BELT ANCHORS) ON SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE STRENGTH AND MAY NOT MEET THE STATIC LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: LOCK BAR ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Alexandria BAY, NY1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE BOLT HOLDING THE SEAT UPWARD SNAPPED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO FLING BACK, HER BACK WAS INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #783950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHEN IT LURCHED BACKWARDS NEARLY HITTING A PARKED CAR, ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE AGAIN LURCHED BACKWARDS WHILE IDLING, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO STEPS WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #873914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marlin, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP SIGN PREPARING TO PULL PUT WHEN SUDDENLY WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. ALSO CAUSED THE DUST PARTICLES LOCATED WITHIN THE AIRBAG TO GET INTO EYES OF CONSUMER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VISION. CONSUMER IS NOW SEEING A SPECIALIST . SEATBELTS WERE WORN AT THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #820561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cookeville, TNCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION, BRUISES ON CONSUMERS ARMS AND SMOKE WITHIN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #525138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIDING ON ICE. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ABOUT (50) FEET AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR.
NHTSA complaint #805948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKES FAILED 5 TIMES, ONCE CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #507179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Somerville, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SCREECHING BELT PULLEY I KNOW IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE IT IS IN ORDER TO GET IT REPLACED. PLEASE HELP ME WITH INFO ON THIS THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10230037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SUSPENSION:REAR
I PURCHASE MY 1994 ACCLAIM IN 1994. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRAILING ARM IN THE REAR OF MY CAR. I AM A GOOD DRIVER. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY CRASHING TO THIS CAR IN 9 YEARS. I HAVE ABOUT 189,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. E-MAIL ILAWR97578@AOL.COM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eldorado, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER RECALLED SOME OF THE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME DEFECT. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A REFUND ON MONIES PAID FOR SERVICES RENDERED.
NHTSA complaint #566606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Menasha, WI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHENEVER BUMPING INTO SEAT BELT WHETHER IT IS HARD OR A SOFT BUMP SEAT BELT WILL COME LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #8006053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Menasha, WI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEATBELT BUCKLES COME LOOSE WHEN BUMPING AGAINST SOMETHING. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. DEALER STATED IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8005882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brandon, MS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE SECURITY. THEY WILL COME UNLOCKED TOO EASILY. THEY MUST BE RECALLED!!!
NHTSA complaint #759067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davenport, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AT 85 DEGREES OR HIGHER CAR STALLS
NHTSA complaint #9004448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leland, MS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2ND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WAS 2YRS LATER AT 65+ ON ODOMETER.
NHTSA complaint #749612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clifton Park, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WOULD CRACK WHEN WEATHER WAS EITHER HOT OR COLD. AS SOON AS WEATHER CHANGED, HEAD GASKETS WOULD EXPAND OR CONTRACT, AND THEN CRACK. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HEAD GASKETS WERE MADE OF ALUMINUM AND NOT STEEL. THIS HEAD GASKET WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED.
NHTSA complaint #877350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria BAY, NY1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE BOLT HOLDING THE SEAT UPWARD SNAPPED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO FLING BACK, HER BACK WAS INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #783950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHEN IT LURCHED BACKWARDS NEARLY HITTING A PARKED CAR, ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE AGAIN LURCHED BACKWARDS WHILE IDLING, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO STEPS WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #873914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STOPS, AND THE RED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. AFTER A WHILE THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN AND GENERALLY THEN RUNS FINE.
NHTSA complaint #723344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STOPS, AND THE RED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. AFTER A WHILE THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN AND GENERALLY THEN RUNS FINE.
NHTSA complaint #723344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berlin, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED IN ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #722955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenosha, WI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
BAR UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF VEHICLE IS KNOCKING AGAINST IT. DEALER IS RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #857717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, PA
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE:TORQUE ARM
THE REAR END OF THIS VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SCRAPING SOUND WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY TORQUE BAR BREAKING A TTHE POINT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE REAR AXEL. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #846014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Panorama City, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED 3 TIMES AT MILEAGES 32659(WARRANTY), 53746 (COST $2194.00), 96303 (COST $1722.00). DEALER QUOTED SIX WEEK DELAY AT SECOND FAILURE REQUIRING INDEPENDENT REPAIR. SECOND AND THIRD REPAIRS SAME INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #706745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL
SEAT BELTS
I AM HAVING A PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC MOTORIZED SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE BELTS DO NOT RETRACT FULLY AND GET STUCK IN THE TRACK. AS A RESULT WE ARE UNABLE TO USE THE SHOULD RESTRAINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION ON A SEVRICE VISIT MAY 18TH, AND WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER CONTRACTS WOULD NOT REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT, WHILE I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED 7 YEAR 70,000 WARRANTY, IT WOULD COST CLOSE TO $500 TO FIX THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS. IN OTHER WORDS, CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER THE SEAT BELTS UNDER ANY FACTORY WARRANTY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, YET CANNOT AFFORD TO FORK OVER $500 TO FIX THE SEAT BELT. I SINCERELY WISH THAT SAFETY ITEMS SUCH AS SEAT BELTS, COULD BE COVERED FOR THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. I WOULD WELCOME ANY HELP FROM THE NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #706653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CONDITION IS CONTINUING AND GETTING WORSE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #705775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Paul, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #544187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Paul, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ROCKER COVER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #544187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Paul, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #544187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
PASSENGER EXPERIENCING TIGHTENING OF THE SEAT BELT WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #528839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING THE IGNITION WILL OVERHEAT, WHERE THE KEY GOES INTO THE CASING GETS VERY HOT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #834610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.