Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1992 Plymouth Sundance
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
913.0%
Electrical System
913.0%
0 crashes, 3 fires
Suspension
811.6%
Median failure at 116,000 miles
Airbags
710.1%
6 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
710.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Seats
57.2%
Body & Structure
45.8%
Other & Unspecified
34.3%
Seat Belts
34.3%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
34.3%
Wheels
22.9%
Tires
22.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
22.9%
Steering
22.9%
Equipment & Accessories
11.4%
Brakes
11.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain
11.4%
Exactly what failed
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
724.1%
Windshield
620.7%
Engine
517.2%
Recliner
310.3%
Interior/Under Dash
26.9%
Rear
26.9%
Exhaust System
26.9%
Ignition
26.9%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1992 Plymouth Sundance 4-DR.
—
—
—
—
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 10Feb 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 Plymouth Sundance
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
EA95029Opened 26 Sep 1995Closed 13 Nov 1996STEERING
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
AFTER AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS, CHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT AS A FATIGUE FAILURE, ORIGINATION IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE PROJECTION WELDS OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB TO STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE ATTACHMENT.THE HUB IS THE PORTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY THAT CONNECTS IT TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND IS ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY BY 4 WELDS.IF CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE WELDS AND PROPAGATE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE TO EACH OF THE WELDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN SEPARATE FROM THE HUB.THIS IS A SLOW PR...
EA95017Opened 31 May 1995Closed 19 May 1997SEATS
SEAT BACK BOLT FAILURE
THE DRIVER SEAT BACK CAN COLLAPSE WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE LOWER BOLT (ONE OF TWO BOLTS THAT SUPPORTS THE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY) CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK
PE95002Opened 13 Jan 1995Closed 31 May 1995SEATS
SEAT BACK FAILURE
Recalls on the 1992 Plymouth Sundance
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
99V212000
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Risk: IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
97V078000
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Risk: IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
96V229000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Risk: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
92V015000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Risk: FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199710322,608 units in Canada
Structure
NOTE: 2 DOOR VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE SUDDENLY AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL. CORRECTION: THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH BOLT THAT INCLUDES A SELF LOCKING NYLON PATCH.
Recall 199619877,024 units in Canada
Steering
The steering wheel armature stamping may crack and separate from the centre hub of the steering column. This could adversely affect steering control and result in a possible crash without prior warning. Correction: Steering wheels exhibiting cracks will be replaced. All other involved vehicles will have a anti-separation plate installed to prevent separation of the steering wheel from the steering column.
Recall 19920182,829 units in Canada
Steering
A steering column coupling bolt may fracture due to hydrogen embrittlement, causing loss of clamping load on the steering column shaft coupling with resultant loss of steering control. Correction: Zinc plated steering column coupling bolts will be replaced with a phosphate coated bolt.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
North Glenn, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
A FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, AND ALL WINDOW CLOSED. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #854706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN MAKING A TURN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN BURNS TO THE SKIN, RESULTING IN DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #816058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Myers, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN OWNER WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE,THE AIR BAG IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SEAT PUSHED THE DRIVER TO THE STEERING WHEEL. MANUFACTURER'S TELEPHONE LINE HAS BEEN BUSY.
NHTSA complaint #814165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NVCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND IN MID TURN THE AIRBAG INFLATED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT AND THEN RAN INTO A SIGN, BECAUSE SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #809859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #803315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Daingerfield, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
STARTED VEHICLE AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASH BY THE STEERING COLUMN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #803092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 116,000 milesMorristown, NJ
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SUSEPNSION DEFECT ON MY 1992 PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE I WAS TOLD BY THREE MECHANICS THAT THEY ARE ALL DEFECTIVE AND THAT CAR IS NOT SAFE CHRYSLER SAYS THEY HAVE NO SUCH KNOWLEGED OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR CAR
NHTSA complaint #10007905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altoona, PA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I BOUGHT A NEW PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE IN MAY, 1992. A FEW YEARS LATER THE PAINT CRACKED AND BEGAN TO PEEL OFF ESPECIALLY AFTER A HARD RAIN.I TOOK THE CAR TO D&M CHRYSLER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THE SERVICE DEPT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I THEN TOOK PICTURES OF THE CAR AND SENT A COMPLAINT TO CHRYSLER CORP. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THEY SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPT AT D&M AND WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY BRUSHING SNOW OFF OF THE CAR. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. THE CAR IS ALL RUSTED NOW AND TODAY I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW IS SEPERATED FROM THE ROOF AT THE TOP BECAUSE THE RUBBER WON'T STICK TO THE RUSTED ROOF. THERE IS ABOUT A 1/4" GAP. I FEEL THIS HAS NOW BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE REAR WINDOW WILL MOST SURELY POP OUT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT. I UNDERSTAND FROM VARIOUS WEBSITES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS, RESULTING IN PASSENGERS BEING THROWN FROM THE CAR WHEN THE REAR WINDOW GAVE WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10000727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Glenn, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
A FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, AND ALL WINDOW CLOSED. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #854706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SIDE PANEL OF DOOR CRUMBLES EASILY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD BROKE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CAR DOOR WINDOWS COME DOWN BY THEMSELVES DURING A BUMPY RIDE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO CONNECTION FAILS WHEN THE KNOB IS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER LEAVES THE RADIO ON TO AVOID NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IT BACK ON. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
THE BOARD IN THE TRUNK COVERING THE SPARE IS WARPED AND DOES NOT REST FLUSH IN THE TRUNK. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chetek, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY TYPE OF RECALL FOR MY CAR THE PAINT ID PEELING OFF ALL OVER AND I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL MOPAR VEHICALS LIKE THIS AND WAS WANTING TO KNOW IF CHRYSTLER IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THEM.
NHTSA complaint #709689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE "BLACK CHERRY" PAINT BEGAN TO SCRATCH FROM NORMAL SNOW BRUSH USE. THE PAINT CONTINUED TO CHIP AND CRACK, WHERE I NOW HAVE 30% OF THE PAINT CHIPPED OFF AND METAL IS EXPOSED. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER SUNDANCE'S OF THE SAME COLOR WITH PAINT CHIPPING PREMATURELY. I NOW NEED TO GET MY CAR REPAINTED. NO SAFETY DEFECT .
NHTSA complaint #706914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
TIRES
REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES CONTINUE TO BLOW. 4 TIRE HAVE FAILED, 3 BLEW OUT AND 1 HAD STEEL BELTS SHOWING.(DOT 7790554330, DOT7727481750 - GOODYEAR - INVICTA, SIZE P185/70R14).
NHTSA complaint #543671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES CONTINUE TO BLOW. 4 TIRE HAVE FAILED, 3 BLEW OUT AND 1 HAD STEEL BELTS SHOWING.(DOT 7790554330, DOT7727481750 - GOODYEAR - INVICTA, SIZE P185/70R14).
NHTSA complaint #543671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
SUSPENSION:REAR
A NOISE IS COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE THAT SOUNDS LIKE METAL RUBBING AGAINST METAL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #830363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barnhart, MO
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #514120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westminste, MD
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT ALLOW FOR A CONVERTIBLE CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO BE INSTALLED REAR FACING IN ANY OF THE REAR SEATBELTS.
NHTSA complaint #541605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
College Park, GA
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE VIBRATES ALL THE TIME WHEN IN GEAR AT A COMPLETE STOP. ALSO SHUDDERS UPON ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #540560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sheboygan, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL FILTER CONNECTOR IS LEAKING AND EMITS A STRONG GAS ODOR WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #524975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massapeque, NY
SEATS
RECALL 97V078000. NO PARTS SINCE JULY.
NHTSA complaint #819021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manassas Park, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GOING 65MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED OUT FOR NO REASON. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD & WAITED A WHILE & RESTARTED. TOOK TO DEALER FOR A 4TH TIME AND PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND. VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT DEALER EACH TIME IT HAPPENED FOR 3 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #817102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN MAKING A TURN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN BURNS TO THE SKIN, RESULTING IN DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #816058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbiavi, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS LEAKED POSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #510260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Ramon, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR PANELS LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #520002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Ramon, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
REAR WINDOW SEAL GONE.
NHTSA complaint #520002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.