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 30 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.
Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
30 reports
220,000 miles · Jan 21, 2009
Tires
TL*THE 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. PEP BOYS STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT AS…
Read full complaint
TL*THE 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. PEP BOYS STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE EQUIPMENT INFORMATION AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 220,000. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN THE VALVE STEM WAS FAULTY WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL. UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10255908
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
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
NHTSA ODI #762124
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2002
SuspensionCrash
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.
NHTSA ODI #757729
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2001
Electrical SystemInterior LightingSeats
THE HATCHBACK SUPPORT RODS FAIL TO HOLD THE LIFTGAGE IN THE RAISED POSITION. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #785382
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000
Power Train
THIS AUTO HAS A MITSUBISHI ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN WITH WHICH I HAVE HAD DIFFICULTIES SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE
NHTSA ODI #728779
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 1999
Structure
WHILE PULLING INTO THE GAS STATION THE CROSSMEMBER BROKE AND SNAPPED OFF THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #843782
Mileage unknown · May 4, 1998
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT MOTOR PROBLEM CAUSES THE SHOULDER BELT TO LATCH, TO GO BACK AND FORTH IN ITS TRACK FROM THE MOST REAR POSITION TO ABOUT 5 INCHES FORWARD.
NHTSA ODI #535192
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1998
Latches/locks/linkages
WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN HOOD UNLATCHED UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING THE HOOD TO SMASH INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND HIT THE ROOF OF VEHICLE, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND PERSONAL INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822665
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TURBO-CHARGER FAILED TWICE. ALSO ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523206
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1997
Seat Belts
RECALL WORK NOT COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS,SEAT BELT REPAIR.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
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
2
EA98002 · Transfer Case Lockup
Opened Jan 30, 1998 · Closed Apr 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
No summary supplied.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Wheels
Wheels
PE94074 · Hood FLY-UP
Opened Oct 12, 1994 · Closed Feb 24, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
1991 Plymouth Laser Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year