AI Damage1987 Plymouth Sundance: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Plymouth Sundance filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 17% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (8% 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
- 2.2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 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.
The car hit a tree head on and the front passenger seat belt did not restrain occupant. Tt
The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The hood blew open because it was so hot. The vehicle was taken to the dealer due to a rebuilt motor that kept running hot and stopping. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer 15 times and the dealer stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.
While driving, the throttle stuck open and the vehicle would not slow down, the consumer had to shift into neutral and lift the accelerator with his toe in order to slow the vehicle.
Driving when it acted like it was running out of gas no power, went from 35 to 20 mph then started smoking as I pulled into the parking lot. Went to get help but no one was at work, men next door noticed smoke and ran over with fire extinguisher. The hood latch would not release.
Vehicle has a fuel leak, place of leak unknown, but the fumes are very strong. Dealer has not been contacted.
Burning plastic may cause fire in interior of vehicle and is a safety hazard. Chrysler should recall this vehicle for this and related problems or pay for parts/labor.
High mounted stop light started smoking due to overheating. Sockets and brake light housing melted causing smoke in interior of vehicle.
Release mechanism button on seat belt buckle would not engage properly. 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 10,162 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sundance has 28 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 12, below average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Plymouth Sundance?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, seat belts. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (42%), seat belts (17%), fuel system, fuel smell (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance?
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 Sundance 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.