AI Damage1991 Plymouth Laser: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Plymouth Laser filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about seat belts and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 30
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 30% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 23% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Latches, locks, linkages 10% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 9 complaints (30% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (23% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (13% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Structure: 3 complaints (10% 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
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 30 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
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.
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.
I see quite a few lasers,eclipses,and talons that have the telltale blue smoke trail behind them.but mine also seems to be building up exhaust, and emitting a large cloud of white smoke upon restarting
The hatchback support rods fail to hold the liftgage in the raised position.
This auto has a mitsubishi engine and drive train with which I have had difficulties since original purchase
Intermittent stalling condition. Service contract was still in effect when problem first occurred, but they were unable to correct it and the contract has since expired. Owner wants to know if chrysler is still obligated to fix the problem.
While pulling into the gas station the crossmember broke and snapped off the vehicle.
Recall work not completed due to lack of parts,seat belt repair.
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 6,848 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Laser has 17 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 30, above average.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Plymouth Laser?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: seat belts, engine and cooling, electrical system. Total complaints: 30. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (13%), stalls while driving (10%), engine failure or replacement (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Plymouth Laser?
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 1991 Plymouth Laser 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 1991 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.