AI Damage1989 Plymouth Reliant: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Plymouth Reliant filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and vehicle speed control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 43% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 29% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 14% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (43% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Tires: 1 complaints (14% 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 7 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 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 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 master cylinder failed on two occasions at 20k and again at 40k, 0nce resulting in an accident. Tt
While parked after driving for an hour, the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer was driving the vehicle when she smelled something burning.
Automatic idle speed motor failed, causing vehicle to accelerate.
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 12,539 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Reliant has 5 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Plymouth Reliant?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, vehicle speed control, service brakes. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%), tires: bulges, blowouts (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 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 1989 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 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 2026-11-06.