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FaultScore report

1995 Plymouth Acclaim problems

Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 1995 Plymouth Acclaim with NHTSA between 1995 and 2019. The largest single group is the suspension. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Plymouth Acclaim All 1995 cars
C

FaultScore 53/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Plymouth Acclaim.

How this is worked out

The numbers

35

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

4

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 24 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Plymouth Acclaim. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25.7% 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 1995 compares with every other Plymouth Acclaim

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1995 Plymouth Acclaim

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 6 17.1%
Seat Belts 4 11.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Engine & Cooling 4 11.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 74,000 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 8.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 8.6%
Tires 2 5.7%
Body & Structure 2 5.7%
Brakes 2 5.7%
Electrical System 2 5.7%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 5.7%
Other & Unspecified 1 2.9%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Equipment & Accessories 1 2.9%
Doors, Latches & Locks 1 2.9%
Seats 1 2.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 1 2.9%

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.

Jan 1995 peak 3 Aug 2019

NHTSA investigations into the 1995 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.

DP03002 Opened 7 May 2003 Closed 22 Jul 2003 STEERING: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...

PE96008 Opened 25 Jan 1996 Closed 28 Jun 1996 SEAT BELTS

SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Ellenton, FL Crash 2 injured

SEATS

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS COLLAPSED INTO RECLINING POSITION WHEN HIT IN REAR AND THEN WHEN WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WE WERE THROWN FROM A LAYING POSITION UP TO THE DASH. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10013565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tunnel Hill, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN SMOKE SUDDENLY STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER QUICKLY PULLED OVER, AND GOT OUT WHEN IT BURSTED INTO FLAMES, TOTALLING VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8009442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Convent Station, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SERVICE LANE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT UP. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE, 4 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF CAR AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS T0TALED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #870934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Convent Station, NJ Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SERVICE LANE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT UP. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE, 4 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF CAR AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS T0TALED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #870934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Convent Station, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SERVICE LANE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT UP. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE, 4 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF CAR AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS T0TALED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #870934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Menomonie, WI Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TOOK OFF THE VEHICLE OWNERS FINGER TIP. TT

NHTSA complaint #967346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 60,000 miles Hanover, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER TIMING BELT SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, COASTED, AND STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO APPLE DODGE HANOVER (200 EISENHOWER DR, HANOVER, PA 17331) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW TIMING BELT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER STATED RUBBER IS TOO WEAK OF A MATERIAL FOR A TIMING BELT.

NHTSA complaint #11243594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Macon, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE DURING A HEAVY RAIN STORM I HIT A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND SOLD TO ME 3 YEARS AGO. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MY MOTHER NUMEROUS TIMES AND TWICE SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN DRIVING THROUGH LARGE PUDDLES.

NHTSA complaint #10649400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ellenton, FL Crash 2 injured

SEATS

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS COLLAPSED INTO RECLINING POSITION WHEN HIT IN REAR AND THEN WHEN WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WE WERE THROWN FROM A LAYING POSITION UP TO THE DASH. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10013565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tunnel Hill, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN SMOKE SUDDENLY STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER QUICKLY PULLED OVER, AND GOT OUT WHEN IT BURSTED INTO FLAMES, TOTALLING VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8009442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roanoke, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION HAD FAILURE IN LOW GEAR REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #759869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Florence, AL

TIRES:BEAD

TIRES CAME APART AT AREA OF BEAD. INFLATION WAS PROPER. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M6RV 27430 TIRESIZE: P185/70R14)

NHTSA complaint #748733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenside, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATION, NO HEAT AND EXCESSIVE COOLANT USAGE.

NHTSA complaint #739119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Convent Station, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SERVICE LANE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT UP. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE, 4 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF CAR AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS T0TALED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #870934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Convent Station, NJ Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SERVICE LANE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT UP. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE, 4 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF CAR AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS T0TALED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #870934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Convent Station, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SERVICE LANE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT UP. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE, 4 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF CAR AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS T0TALED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #870934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lemont, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION. DRIVER HAS TO TIGHTEN THE PIVOT ARM NUTS BEFORE OPERATION CONTINUED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA complaint #860006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OAK Park, IL

SUSPENSION:REAR

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN OR BACKING UP, DRIVER WOULD HEAR A STRANGE POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. WHEN OWNER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN ON THE RIGHT REAR AXLE. THE SWAY BAR HAS BEEN WELDED BACK TOGETHER.

NHTSA complaint #831463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hammond, IN

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TIE ROD END WORN BADLY.

NHTSA complaint #539355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelph, PA

SUSPENSION:REAR

NOTHING

NHTSA complaint #539015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

SUSPENSION:REAR

CRACKED REAR TRAILING ARM.

NHTSA complaint #538217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Jeffe, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS PITTED.

NHTSA complaint #524558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winnfield, LA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

STABILIZER BAR FAILED, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER CAR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #527124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boston, MA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

WITHOUT WARNING CIGARETTE LIGHTER EJECTED VIOLENTLY FROM ITS DASHBOARD LOCATION AND BOUNCED AND LANDED IN DRIVERS LAP BETWEEN HIS LEGS, ALMOST RESULTING IN CONTROL LOST.

NHTSA complaint #512665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gresham, OR

SEAT BELTS

WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED. UPON TURNING OFF IGNITION, BELT TIGHTENED EXTREMELY THEN WON'T RELEASE, ALSO WHEN DOOR IS OPENED BELT WON'T RELEASE, MUST BE DONE MANUALLY, UNLATCH OR RESTART VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #810959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Opelousas, LA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE REAR CROSSMEMBER BAR THAT CONNECTS THE TWO REAR TIRES TOGETHER BROKE. IT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER ONLY PAID HALF OF THE REPAIR COST INSTEAD OF THE TOTAL COST. CONSUME RFELT THA TIT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE PICKED UP ALL THE REPAIR COSTS.

NHTSA complaint #809178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wickliffe, KY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE STILL IN THE DRIVE POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #809017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Benton, OH

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT VERY LOOSE WILL NOT RETRACT. IF IN AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT WOULD SERVE NO PURPOSE BECAUSE IT IS NOT SECURE. HAS NOT HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #808711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owings Mills, MD

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

ODOR ENTERING VEHICLE, CAUSING ILLNESS.

NHTSA complaint #504747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owings Mills, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

ACCELERATOR PEDAL MUST BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR FOR GAS TO GO TO CARBURETOR.

NHTSA complaint #504747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kenosha, WI

TIRES

AT 18,000 MILES ALL FOUR MICHELIN TIRES ARE LEAKING (SLOW LEAK MICHELIN P19570R14 XW4 ), TOOK TO TIRES MANUFACTURER, SAID THE TIRES HAVE A SLOW LEAK, CAR MANUFACTURER WANTS TO PUT A TUBE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK DOT NUMBER IS HNHDP, MICHELIN STATED THAT THE ALUMINUM RIMS ARE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE TIRES WILL LEAK UNLESS INNER TUBES ARE PUT IN THE TIRES. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #803235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.