AI DamagePlymouth Laser: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Plymouth Laser across 7 model years: 117 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 26% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 15% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 30 complaints (26% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 28 complaints (24% of all).
- Seat belts: 18 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 12 complaints (10% of all).
- Electrical system: 11 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.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1990–1994
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1990–1994
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1990–1994
- automatic, 4-speed 1990–1994
- manual, 5-speed 1990–1994
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 117 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 | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Child seat | 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.
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.
Mechanical (suspension, r.f.) repaired w/used/reman. Parts. Local plymouth dealer'sservice manager was of no help concerning possible unannounced recall.also, I checkad plymouth/mitsubishi (dsm motors) website for any recall info (none). My vehicle also sustained moderate sheetmetal (body) damage.
I received a manufactures recall notice about a year ago on the transfer case of my vehicle. The notice stated that there was a problem with my transfer case which would cause the wheels to lock up. Upon acceptance of this form I took my car to the nearest dealer.
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
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.
Tl contact owns a 1991 plymouth laser. While driving at an unknown speed, the hubcaps on the vehicle began spinning and inevitably cut the valve stem off of his tire. Speed was not a factor during the failure. The tire pressure was lost and the risk of a serious crash was increased.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other models of this make
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.