1989 Plymouth ACCLAIM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
200,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 33 complaints (30.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Suspension:Rear | 4 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Suspension:Rear: 4; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 32 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 7; 1997: 2; 1998: 7; 1999: 4; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 973103 · 1995-10-10 (October 10, 1995)
PURCHASE CAR NEW HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SIX TIMES IN A YEAR AND A HALF AND IS ON THE SEVENTH . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 832713 · 1998-12-28 (December 28, 1998)
DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE HEATING UNIT, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE DASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 832713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040333 · 2003-10-20 (October 20, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED A WIRE MELTED INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP. *AK *TS ON AND OFF THE ROAD, THE WIRE WAS BOILING THE GAS AROUND THE WIRE, BUT IT DID NOT BLOW A FUSE OR MELT OTHER WIRES ON THE VEHICLE. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040333 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
33 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.0% | 915.0%ODI 10073830ON MARCH 16, 2004, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON ICY PAVEMENT, THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RAN INTO A TREE INSTEAD. UPON IMPACT, NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB | 1212.4%ODI 10015813CONSUMER DROVE OVER AN EXPOSED PORTION OF A RAILROAD TRACK AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER SUSTAINING BURNS FROM THE DEPLOYMENT CHEMICALS. *JB | 812.7%ODI 486221WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, SMASHING INTO A BRICK WALL. *AK | 1115.3%ODI 8017237WHILE DRIVING 40MPH FRONT OF CAR COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK | 710.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension:Rear | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 412.1% | 46.7% | 77.2% | 711.1% | 1013.9% | 45.8%ODI 10016451I PURCHASE MY 1994 ACCLAIM IN 1994. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRAILING ARM IN THE REAR OF MY CAR. I AM A GOOD DRIVER. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY CRASHING TO THIS CAR IN 9 YEARS. I HAVE ABOUT 189,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. E-MAIL [email removed]. *NLM | 413.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1030.3%ODI 8009466RECALL 89 V 237 000/ENGINE VALVE COVER: PROBLEM WITH OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE GASKET. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK | 711.7%ODI 10026833WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS WITHOUT WARRANTY. *AK | 44.1% | 23.2%ODI 719923THE SEAL AROUND THE AIR BAG IS CRACKED. TOLD DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY GLUED IT. I HAD THEM TEST DRIVE THE CAR, IN WHICH I DROVE, TO SEE IF THEY COULD TELL WHAT THE HOLLOW SOUND WAS THAT I WAS HEARING AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE A BEARING IN THE WHEEL THAT WAS GOING BAD. BUT THEN THE NEXT DAY ANOTHER GUY TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE EXHAUST. I HAVE ALSO TOOK THE CAR TO GOODYEAR WHO INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE CAR NEEDED A WATER PUMP, FRONT STRUTS AND BACK SHOCKS AND… | 68.3% | 34.3% | 13.3%ODI 739119PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATION, NO HEAT AND EXCESSIVE COOLANT USAGE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 26.1% | 58.3% | 88.2%ODI 480972TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS ERRATICALLY DUE TO COMPUTER PROBLEMS. *AK | 23.2%ODI 486029TRANSMISSION JUMPED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK | 68.3%ODI 511239NOISE CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCED DUE TO FOUR OUT OF THE EIGHT BOLTS HOLDING THE FRONT-END WERE LOOSE. | 710.1% | 26.7%ODI 759869TRANSMISSION HAD FAILURE IN LOW GEAR REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1010.3%ODI 545508WHEN CONSUMER PUTS FOOT ON THE BRAKES THE MOTOR RACES, NO PROBLEMS FOUND. MJS | 711.1%ODI 486221WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, SMASHING INTO A BRICK WALL. *AK | 34.2%ODI 511155THROTTLE STICKS IN THE OPEN POSITION, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. | 22.9%ODI 873914CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHEN IT LURCHED BACKWARDS NEARLY HITTING A PARKED CAR, ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE AGAIN LURCHED BACKWARDS WHILE IDLING, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO STEPS WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED. *SLC | 26.7%ODI 482817SPEED SENSOR/OUTPUT SHAFT FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE HESITATION AND MIL ILLUMINATION. *SKD | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 412.1% | 58.3% | 55.2% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 45.6%ODI 517220ENGINE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION/LEAKAGE, REBUILT ENGINE PERFORMED WITHOUT ANY CHANGE OR IMPROVEMENT. | 57.2% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 39.1%ODI 720675I 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 … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.0%ODI 850967WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND IT LOCKED UP. CONTACTED DEALER AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 BLOCKS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED AN ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE CONTROLLER. THE ORIGINAL CONTROLLER WAS NOT REPROGRAMMABLE. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM OF LOCKING IN 2ND GEAR. *AK | 57.9% | 68.3% | 34.3%ODI 508934TRANSAXLE MADE SEVERAL SHARP BUMPS AND WENT INTO LIMP-IN MODE/REPLACED TRANSAXLE/CONTROLLER. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 23.3%ODI 959013VEHICLE HAD A SURGE PROBLEM THAT WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER, NOW THERE IS A STALLING THAT CANNOT SEEM TO BE FIXED. TT | 66.2% | 34.8%ODI 10014548WHILE DRIVING SMOKE APPEARED IN VEHICLE DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. ALSO REPLACED GASKET/THERMOSTAT/RADIATOR CAP. *AK | 45.6%ODI 958388VEHICLE WILL STALL WITH NO WARNING AT ANY TIME. COMPUTERS CHANGED WITH SAME RESULT. DEALERS AND CHRYSLER DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS. TT | 11.4%ODI 805213DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM OR SOLUTION. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1995: 17 complaints · 1996: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 | 11 | 17 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 25 | 5 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Suspension:Rear | Power Train:Axle Assembly | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Air Bags:Frontal | Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | Electrical System:Ignition:Module |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension:Rear | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.