AI Damage1987 Plymouth Horizon: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Plymouth Horizon filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 11% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Parking brake 11% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 11% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
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
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
Top tread of tire , from sidewall to sidewall was completely torn off. Metal casing is showing around the whole tire where the tread use to be.
Rear axle rusted causing it to break away from the mount resulting in damage to vehicle and loss to control. (ohio traffic crash report). Mjs
Driver's outside door handle is broken for the second time. Also, rear door, behind the passenger, won't open from the outside. In case of an emergency it will be dangerous. Dealer has made repairs.
Transmission/ air-conditioner/ brakes/ parking brake failed.
Sudden acceleration; only way vehicle could be stopped was by turning off the ignition.
Purchased vehicle used the engine stalls and cuts off when driving the vehicle. Tt
Power steering; when driving the car the power steering go out. Tt
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 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Horizon has 3 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Plymouth Horizon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (11%), door locks, latches, handles (11%), fuel system, fuel smell (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Plymouth Horizon?
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 1987 Plymouth Horizon 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 1987 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.