AI Damage1987 Plymouth Reliant: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Plymouth Reliant filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 40% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 10% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (40% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 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.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Steering gear box came loose from the frame. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Engine mount collapsed on top of velocity joint. Also, cracked driver's side brake hose due to weight of engine.
This car intermitently stalls it sometimes starts right up other times it takes 15 min. To restart parts that have been changed logic module computer , fuel injecter, map senser, ignition wires and spark plugs electric fuel pump and shutoff relay this car was taken to a chrysler dealer and no problem could be found so…
The k-frame on the passenger side broke bringing the car to a halt. The mechanic who repaired it said this is a common fault with the k-cars. He also said I was very lucky I was going very slow. He said if it had busted on the interstate while going 60 mph, there could have been a very serious accident.
While driving the engine shuts down without warning, causing the vehicle to stall. Dealer not able to correct the problem. Consumer states that this seems to happen in wet or damp weather.
When trying to use the rear gate of the vehicle to put things into or getting items out of the rear gate, the rear gate will fall down on the consumer's head because ther isn't enough support to hold the rear gate up whenever consumer is trying to put items in or get anything out.
Driver had to be cut out of the driver side seat belt because of it being stuck. Tt
Locking mechanism on seat track will not lock in place. Shifts forward while driving. 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 10,921 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Reliant has 5 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Plymouth Reliant?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, structure, seat belts. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (20%), fuel system, fuel smell (10%), seat belts (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Plymouth Reliant?
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 Reliant 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 2026-11-06.