Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 Plymouth Sundance
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
811.4%
6 crashes, 0 fires
Seats
710.0%
Airbags
710.0%
6 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
68.6%
Engine & Cooling
68.6%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
57.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
57.1%
Suspension
57.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Body & Structure
57.1%
Seat Belts
45.7%
Electrical System
45.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 121,000 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
34.3%
2 crashes, 1 fires
Other & Unspecified
22.9%
Steering
22.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Wheels
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.
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 4Nov 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 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.
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...
RQ99006Opened 13 May 1999Closed 2 Feb 2000SEATS
SEAT BACK FAILURE
THE SEAT RECLINER'S LOWER BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK CAUSING THE SET BACK TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING.
PE96008Opened 25 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
Recalls on the 1994 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Portage, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THERE IS REOCCURRING SMOKE AND FIRES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE SPEAKERS. THE FIRES HAS HAPPENED TWICE DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #846959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA1 injured
SEAT BELTS
OWNER'S DAUGHTER'S FINGER WAS CAUGHT IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT RETRACTOR, AND MANGLED HER FINGER. MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #836072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PAFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FIRE BETWEEN THE WINDOW PANEL AND VEHICLE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #511195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 20 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #826514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 20 MPH REAR END COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. 826514 DUP 0F 825398; POSTED ON 09-07-1999.
NHTSA complaint #825398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Orange, FLFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE . DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #823063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 121,000 milesTrout Lake, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AND WILL NOT RESTART WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP HAS UNPLUGGED AND REPLUGGED THE COMPUTER CHIP, RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND CHECKED THE SENSORS, EVERY THING WAS OKAY. A MONTH LATER AND ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE FAILURE RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10099674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edmonton, 00
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE REAR WINDOW LIGHT BULB MELTS CONSTANTLY AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10054151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sudbury, MA
SEAT BELTS
MY 94 PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE CAR HAS UNSAFE CAR SEAT BELTS (CAN COME UNDONE WHEN BUMPED BY AN ELBOW, HAND, OR ANOTHER CHILD'S CAR SEAT INSTALLED NEXT TO IT). I AM CONTACTING MY LOCAL DEALER TO MAKE AN COMPLAINT AND ASK FOR A REPLACEMENT TO GEN4 DESIGN SEATBELTS. AS A PARENT, WHY WOULD YOU INSTALL UNSAFE SEATBELTS? WHY ISN'T THERE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10052909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gloversville, NY
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL # 99 V 212 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10018265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laredo, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COME ON AT ALL TIMES. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, BUT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8002900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountainview, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE FRONT SEATBACKS FAILED TO REMAIN LOCKED IN PLACE. WOULD RECLINE FORWARD, PUSHING DRIVER/PASSENGER TOWARDS STEERING WHEEL/DASHBOARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND MECHANIC REFUSED TO LOOK AT PASSENGER'S SEATBACK. DRIVER'S SEATBACK WAS UNDER RECALL AND WOULD REPAIR IT. *AK THE FAILURE OF FRONT SEAT BACK WAS DUE TO POOR DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #884397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RECALL 99V212 COMPLETED BUT CONSUMER STILL HAS PROBLEMS WITH SEATS FLIPPING FORWARD. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #553746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
REPORTING BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE DEATTCHING FROM THE HINGES OF A BROKEN WELD; DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE OUT OF IT WARRANTY AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER COST. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS:
NHTSA complaint #868847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
SEATS
WHEN MOVING SEAT TO A DIFFERENT POSITION IT IS VERY HARD TO ADJUST. ALSO, ONCE WHILE DRIVING THE ENTIRE SEAT WENT BACK.1P3AP28D9RN.
NHTSA complaint #860100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
HAD FILLED VEHICLE WITH FUEL. IT STARTED TO SPILL OUT OF INPUT PIPE. FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO REGISTER CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED IN AUGUST 1999. INDICATION WAS SENSOR UNIT WAS NOT IN OPERATION, BUT WAS INTACT.
NHTSA complaint #858949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
HAD FILLED VEHICLE WITH FUEL. IT STARTED TO SPILL OUT OF INPUT PIPE. FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO REGISTER CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED IN AUGUST 1999. INDICATION WAS SENSOR UNIT WAS NOT IN OPERATION, BUT WAS INTACT.
NHTSA complaint #858949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Langley, WA
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHEN ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE, WINDOW WILL COME OFF THE TRACK UNLESS CONSUMER HOLDS ONTO THE WINDOW OR ROLLS DOWN THE WINDOW SLOWLY. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED ONCE. CONSUMER STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WHEN ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #855697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Great Falls, MT
SUSPENSION:REAR
TRAILING ARM FAILED WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY CAUSING A SCRAPING AND GRINDING NOISE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Byron, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RECALL REPAIR (99V212000) COULD NOT BE DONE DUE TO DISTANCE / LOCATION OF DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #548461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thornton, CO
SEATS
REPORTING A RECALL FAILURE; AFTER DEALER REPLACING SEATBACK BOLT CONSUMER NOTICED SEAT WOULD FALL FORWARD FREELY. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS NORMAL. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. CHECKED MY OWNER MANUAL AND LEARNED THAT WAS NOT NORMAL, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY DEALER IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #848458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Masury, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
FUEL VAPOR IS LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #847616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portage, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THERE IS REOCCURRING SMOKE AND FIRES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE SPEAKERS. THE FIRES HAS HAPPENED TWICE DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #846959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stratton, ME
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BOUGHT CAR 2/15/98. DEALER NEVER CORRECTED ENGINE PROBLEMS, BUT CONTINUED TO REPLACE DIFFERENT PARTS AND CHARGED FULL PRICE
NHTSA complaint #709539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irving, TX
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SINCE THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF THE CAR AND CHRYSLER REFUSES TO FIX IT, CLAIMING THE 3-FOOT BARE AREA ON THE ROOF OF MY CAR IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THE BODY OF THE CAR WILL RUST, RENDERING IT A SAFETY HAZARD BOTH TO MYSELF AND TO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #709307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Kisc, NY
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
CLANGING NOISE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TRACK BAR BETWEEN THE REAR WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #523839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA1 injured
SEAT BELTS
OWNER'S DAUGHTER'S FINGER WAS CAUGHT IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT RETRACTOR, AND MANGLED HER FINGER. MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #836072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Agusta, GA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING HEARD METAL NOISE. ANYTIME VEHICLE SHIFTS THE NOISE IS THERE. MECHANIC FELT UP TO THE AXLE, AND FOUND THAT THE ROD THAT RUNS THROUGH THE REAR AXLE WELDING HAD BROKEN APART. BODY SHOP WELDED IT TOGETHER, AND APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER THE BAR HAD BROKEN AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #836039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PAFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FIRE BETWEEN THE WINDOW PANEL AND VEHICLE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #511195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 20 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #826514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR STARTED BURNING, POURING SMOKE INTO THE CAR FROM EVERY VENT AND OPENING POSSIBLE, BACK LEFT WINDOW PANEL ACTUALLY MELTED FROM THE INSIDE, POSSIBLE DUE TO ASHES GETTING BETWEEN THE WINDOW PANELS.
NHTSA complaint #511195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.