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1989 Plymouth Acclaim

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 60.

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 60

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
198833
198960
199097
199163
1992
Compare all Acclaim years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
14Power Train
6Suspension
6Electrical System
4Exterior Lighting
3
All reported categories
Air Bags
1Equipment
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Steering
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2000
Power Train

I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ANOTHER 15,000 MILES SINCE THE FIRST INDICATION OF FAILURE. I NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR END IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND I COULD NOT ALWAYS DETERMINE THE LOCATION. THE DEALER CALMLY SAID I HAD A BROKEN AXLE - SOMEONE ELSE SAID - "GET IT WELDED" - ANOTHER SAYS NO WAY - GET A USED ONE FROM THE JUN…

Read full complaint

I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ANOTHER 15,000 MILES SINCE THE FIRST INDICATION OF FAILURE. I NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR END IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND I COULD NOT ALWAYS DETERMINE THE LOCATION. THE DEALER CALMLY SAID I HAD A BROKEN AXLE - SOMEONE ELSE SAID - "GET IT WELDED" - ANOTHER SAYS NO WAY - GET A USED ONE FROM THE JUNK YARD. EVERYONE I TALK TO TELLS ME OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACEMENT IS THE SAME - NO UPGRADED QUALITY - FOR $650 (NOT FROM THE DEALER) I CAN BREATHE EASIER. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WHY I HAVEN'T BEEN CATAPULTED INTO THE NEXT DIMENSION YET I DON'T KNOW! *AK

NHTSA ODI #720675

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ENGINE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED FAILURE RESULTING IN LEAKS, WATER PUMP FAILURE ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #542482

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1995
Power Train

FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE, FRONT AXLE BROKE. TT

NHTSA ODI #973588

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 1995
Power Train

PURCHASE CAR NEW HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SIX TIMES IN A YEAR AND A HALF AND IS ON THE SEVENTH . TT

NHTSA ODI #973103

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1995
Power Train

MANUFACTURER FAILED TO INSTALL A LOCKING FLOOR SHIFT IN VEHICLE LEAVING FLOORSHIFT LEVER UNLOCKED WHEN KEY IS REMOVED. *SD

NHTSA ODI #488942

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 1995
Power Train

WHEN CAR WAS 4 YRS. OLD HAD TO FIX REAR AXLE , 2 YRS. LATER IT BROKE AGAIN. TT

NHTSA ODI #966280

Official recalls

1

89V237000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Dec 27, 1989

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE89036 · Transmission Downshifting

Opened Jan 9, 1989 · Closed Jan 31, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

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