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U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Plymouth RELIANT problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

10 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation220.0%
Braking behavior110.0%
Steering behavior110.0%
Fuel system concerns110.0%

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
1
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
1
Structure:Frame And Members
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline2
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly1
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings1
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)1
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments1
Structure:Frame And Members1

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion): 1; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

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
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

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: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 10 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.

1995
2
1997
2
1998
1
1999
2
2000
1
2001
1
2002
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19952
19972
19981
19992
20001
20011
20021

1995: 2; 1997: 2; 1998: 1; 1999: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 730683 · 2000-09-07 (September 7, 2000)

THIS CAR INTERMITENTLY STALLS IT SOMETIMES STARTS RIGHT UP OTHER TIMES IT TAKES 15 MIN. TO RESTART PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED LOGIC MODULE COMPUTER , FUEL INJECTER, MAP SENSER, IGNITION WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP AND SHUTOFF RELAY THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO A CHRYSLER DEALER AND NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND SO IAM WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALL ITEMS FOR THIS CAR I SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR WITH OUT FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 730683 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 825112 · 1998-07-07 (July 7, 1998)

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN WET OR DAMP WEATHER. *SLC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 825112 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 879063 · 2001-01-26 (January 26, 2001)

ENGINE MOUNT COLLAPSED ON TOP OF VELOCITY JOINT. ALSO, CRACKED DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE HOSE DUE TO WEIGHT OF ENGINE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 879063 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8019542 · 2002-09-26 (September 26, 2002)

STEERING GEAR BOX CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8019542 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 10 records
70.0%Valid incident date7 / 10 records
100.0%Valid filing date10 / 10 records
70.0%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 10 records

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 complaint heatmap
Component1981198219831984198519861987198819891990
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 482909

ENGINE DESIGN WITH ROLLOVER/SEPARATOR VALVE, CAUSES EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM ENGINE. *SKD

Look up ODI 482909 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 481426

LEFT TURN SIGNAL FAILS TO FLASH DUE TO GROUND WIRE FAILURE.

Look up ODI 481426 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

220.0%
ODI 525143

CRANKSHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING.

Look up ODI 525143 at NHTSA ↗

16.3%
ODI 526613

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT FAILED.

Look up ODI 526613 at NHTSA ↗

228.6%
ODI 505865

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED, CAUSING OIL LEAK. *DH

Look up ODI 505865 at NHTSA ↗

1100.0%
ODI 10048044 · 99,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED. INDEPENDENT SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10048044 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 520759

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

Look up ODI 520759 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 983337

WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. *AK ALL POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS FAIL, SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL RESTART RIGHT AWAY, MORE OFTEN IN SEVERAL HOURS, RECENTLY IT WOULD NOT START FOR DAYS AFTER IT WOULD STALL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, COMPUTER POWER MODULE, AND COMPUTER LOGIC MODULE HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED AND PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING, DEALER HAS ALSO REASSEMBLED THE FUEL INJECTOR, REPLACED COOLING FAN, AND TIGHTENED BELTS, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *SLC

Look up ODI 983337 at NHTSA ↗

220.0%
ODI 730683

THIS CAR INTERMITENTLY STALLS IT SOMETIMES STARTS RIGHT UP OTHER TIMES IT TAKES 15 MIN. TO RESTART PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED LOGIC MODULE COMPUTER , FUEL INJECTER, MAP SENSER, IGNITION WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP AND SHUTOFF RELAY THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO A CHRYSLER DEALER AND NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND SO IAM WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALL ITEMS FOR THIS CAR I SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR WITH OUT FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Look up ODI 730683 at NHTSA ↗

318.8%
ODI 504298

VEHICLE STALLS FREQUENTLY.

Look up ODI 504298 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 984963

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. *AK

Look up ODI 984963 at NHTSA ↗

110.0%
ODI 810685

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ERRATIC/SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK

Look up ODI 810685 at NHTSA ↗

318.8%
ODI 509664

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

Look up ODI 509664 at NHTSA ↗

114.3%
ODI 971039

TURNED CAR ON, VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD INTO WALL. TT

Look up ODI 971039 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Structure:Frame And Members
150.0%
ODI 482766

DEATH RESULTED FROM SIDE IMPACT, ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *AW

Look up ODI 482766 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 482522

WATER PUMP REPLACED.

Look up ODI 482522 at NHTSA ↗

110.0%
ODI 703998

THE K-FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE BRINGING THE CAR TO A HALT. THE MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED IT SAID THIS IS A COMMON FAULT WITH THE K-CARS. HE ALSO SAID I WAS VERY LUCKY I WAS GOING VERY SLOW. HE SAID IF IT HAD BUSTED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE GOING 60 MPH, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RECALL ON THE K-CARS? EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, I'LL BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE MECHANIC SAID EACH TIME I'M IN THE CAR.

Look up ODI 703998 at NHTSA ↗

16.3%
ODI 843280

HAD NOTICED STEERING WAS OFF. TO MUCH TURNING TO GET WHEELS TO TURN. HAD MECHANIC CHECK & BOLTS WERE LOOSE & HAD THEM TIGHTENED ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE BOLTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE SPLIT & COULD BE SEEN MOVING WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. ALSO NOTICED CROSSBAR WAS CRACKED. PE91065. *AK

Look up ODI 843280 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 976893

THE DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN AND IT DOES NOT LATCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Look up ODI 976893 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

110.0%
ODI 966105

DRIVER HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAUSE OF IT BEING STUCK. TT

Look up ODI 966105 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Steering:Rack And Pinion
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

212.5%
ODI 485724

RACK/PINION LEAK. *DH

Look up ODI 485724 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension:Front
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 836910

WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE FRONT IS SHAKING REAL BADLY, AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIE RODS/ BALL JOINTS AND STRUTS.DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 836910 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

16.3%
ODI 545820

FRONT CROSSMEMBER CORRODED, CONSUMER STUCK IT WITH A SCREW DRIVER HANDLE AND IT FELL APART. MJS

Look up ODI 545820 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

16.3%
ODI 601921

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

Look up ODI 601921 at NHTSA ↗

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 failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
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.

1 reports2024-102026-09

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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 22 reports

1989: 2 complaints · 1990: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1989012
1990000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1989511
1990100

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 co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineSeat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblySeats:Front Assembly:ReclinerService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsSteering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And AttachmentsStructure:Frame And Members
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine—000
1
ODI 879063

ENGINE MOUNT COLLAPSED ON TOP OF VELOCITY JOINT. ALSO, CRACKED DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE HOSE DUE TO WEIGHT OF ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 879063 at NHTSA ↗

000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline0—000000
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly00—00000
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner000—0000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
ODI 879063

ENGINE MOUNT COLLAPSED ON TOP OF VELOCITY JOINT. ALSO, CRACKED DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE HOSE DUE TO WEIGHT OF ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 879063 at NHTSA ↗

000—000
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)00000—00
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments000000—0
Structure:Frame And Members0000000—

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.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 20.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 730683

THIS CAR INTERMITENTLY STALLS IT SOMETIMES STARTS RIGHT UP OTHER TIMES IT TAKES 15 MIN. TO RESTART PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED LOGIC MODULE COMPUTER , FUEL INJECTER, MAP SENSER, IGNITION WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP AND SHUTOFF RELAY THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO A CHRYSLER DEALER AND NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND SO IAM WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALL ITEMS FOR THIS CAR I SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR WITH OUT FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Look up ODI 730683 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 825112

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN WET OR DAMP WEATHER. *SLC

Look up ODI 825112 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b