AI Damage1989 Plymouth Acclaim: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 33
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 42% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 18% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 3% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 3% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 14 complaints (42% of all).
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (18% of all).
- Suspension: 6 complaints (18% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (12% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 3 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 33 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The consumer believed a wire melted inside the fuel pump. On and off the road, the wire was boiling the gas around the wire, but it did not blow a fuse or melt other wires on the vehicle.
Recall 89 v 237 000/engine valve cover: problem with oil leaking from engine gasket. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Was driving vehicle when headlight cover became dim. Was not able to see distances clearly during night. Headlight lens cover was very yellowish looking and light was not able to shine through clearly.
My drivers side seat belt is defective. It will not stay hooked in.
Engine head gasket trailing arm rusted out. And also there is a ticking noise.
I noticed a clunking noise in the rear end it was intermittent and I could not always determine the location. The dealer calmly said I had a broken axle - someone else said - "get it welded" - another says no way - get a used one from the junk yard. Everyone I talk to tells me of other people with this problem.
Due to an electrical short in the heating unit, vehicle caught on fire underneath the dash. Please provide further information.
While the car is parked it slowly leaks oil ,this has been an ongoing problem since ninety-one, and the dealer has tried to remedy the problem.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,523 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Acclaim has 47 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 33, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, suspension. Total complaints: 33. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (9%), engine failure or replacement (6%), oil leak or consumption (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Plymouth Acclaim from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.