Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 1993 Plymouth Laser with NHTSA between 1995 and 2013.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1993 Plymouth Laser
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
950.0%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
316.7%
Brakes
211.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 72,000 mi
Seat Belts
15.6%
Suspension
15.6%
Body & Structure
15.6%
Electrical System
15.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
125.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
250.0%
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 2Jan 2013
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Plymouth Laser
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...
EA98002Opened 30 Jan 1998Closed 30 Apr 1998WHEELS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
PE97040Opened 4 Sep 1997Closed 30 Jan 1998WHEELS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.
PE94074Opened 12 Oct 1994Closed 24 Feb 1995STRUCTURE
HOOD FLY-UP
Recalls on the 1993 Plymouth Laser
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 19980886,892 units in Canada
Powertrain
NOTE: ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. OIL FILL VARIATIONS DURING THE INITIAL OIL FILL PROCESS OF THE TRANSFER CASE COULD RESULT IN LOW LEVELS OF LUBRICATION, SUBSEQUENTLY RESULTING IN POSSIBLE SEIZURE AND WHEEL LOCK UP. CORRECTION: TRANSFER CASE WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOW FLUID LEVEL AND LEAKS FROM THE REAR YOKE PLUG, AND REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 72,000 milesSpencer, WICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
NHTSA complaint #10067504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
DRIVING 45-50MPH, MADE ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN, TOUCHED BRAKE PEDAL LIGHTLY, SUDDENLY VEHICLE WENT INTO A SPIN 360 DEGREES FOUR TO FIVE TIMES. TT
NHTSA complaint #960078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 137,902 milesHermitage, TN
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #10492904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,002 milesSmyrna, DE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10189259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBeaverton, OR
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
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 complaint #10147121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesSpencer, WICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
NHTSA complaint #10067504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castro VAL, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
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 complaint #553359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carrboro, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #723721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pineknot, KY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN DRIVING TRANSFER CASE LOCKS UP DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. ALSO, WILL HAVE TO TIGHTEN TRANSMISSION BOLT EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #862467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pineknot, KY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
WHEN DRIVING TRANSFER CASE LOCKS UP DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. ALSO, WILL HAVE TO TIGHTEN TRANSMISSION BOLT EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #862467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #717284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dexter, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE WAY TO WORK. I HAD IT TOWED TO BOB CROW CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH IN ROSWELL, NM. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. BOB CROW DID NOT TOUCH THE CAR FOR A WEEK. WHEN WE CALLED THEY TOLD US WE HAD NOT PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THEM AND IT WOULD SIT UNTIL THEY WERE READY TO DO THE WORK. A MECHANIC CHALLENGED THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THEY FIRED HIM. THE OWNER, BOB CROW, SWORE AT US, TOLD US TO TAKE OUR F,,, CAR AND GET IT OUT OF THERE. WE FINALLY CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP. THEY SAID, YES, TIMING CHAINS CAN TAKE A WHILE TO FIX, SINCE THERE WERE OTHER DAMAGES TO THE CAR. I AM REPORTING THAT BOB CROW CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH IN ROSWELL, NM, HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. MOST PEOPLE JUST GO AWAY AND DO BUSINESS ELSEWHERE. UNFORTUNATELY, I PURCHASED MY CAR BEFORE MOVING HERE; I CANNOT CHANGE THAT. I THOUGHT I HAD THE RIGHT TO REASONABLY PROMPT SERVICE. I DID NOT THINK I WOULD BE VERBALLY ABUSED AND PUNISHED FOR NOT BUYING A CAR FROM THIS DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #706194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mundelein, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SMMARY
NHTSA complaint #702119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mundelein, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO SMMARY
NHTSA complaint #702119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
PASSENGER LAP BELT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT AFTER BEING FULLY EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #539985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #532906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY STALLS, REPAIRS MADE HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES.
NHTSA complaint #532906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE HATCHBACK WILL NOT STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION, IT COMES DOWN SLOWLY. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE HATCH BACK SUPPORTS ARE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #805582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamburg, NY
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
DRIVER'S FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #513919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
DRIVING 45-50MPH, MADE ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN, TOUCHED BRAKE PEDAL LIGHTLY, SUDDENLY VEHICLE WENT INTO A SPIN 360 DEGREES FOUR TO FIVE TIMES. TT
NHTSA complaint #960078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.