1990 Plymouth Sundance

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

74/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Plymouth Sundance, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Air bags	12	24%
Power train	7	14%
Engine and engine cooling	5	10%
Structure	4	8%
Steering	3	6%
Electrical system	2	4%
Service brakes	2	4%
Seat belts	2	4%
Seats	2	4%
Suspension	2	4%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED OUT OF GEAR AND REMOVED KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONDITION CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD INTO A NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY WALL. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AKTHE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK YET
NHTSA complaint: Power train

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET BLOWS OFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF OIL, THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE DESCRIBED IN RECALL 89V-237 BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MANY ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS, THE VALVE COVER ALLOWS OIL TO SPILL ON ENGINE, DEALER REPAIRED, HOWEVER ENGINE STILL LEAKS OIL, DEALER STATED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 89V237 DUE TO VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL RELATED PROBLEMS, BATTERY FAILED, IGNITION WIRES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT START, AND SPARK PLUGS FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AND DEALER ALSO REPAIRED WIRES IN TRANSMISSION SWITCH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Power train

BRAKES AND CYLINDERS CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED, THERE IS ALSO BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

FUEL PUMP FAILED, FUEL HOSE WAS REPLACED, FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, AND O2 SENSOR FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BOLT BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER'S SEAT TO FALL BACK A LITTLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seats

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1990 Plymouth Sundance. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Suspension 08E033000

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS

Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY

Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Engine and engine cooling:engine 89V237000

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

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

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

The seven scores

Reliability raw	86	excellent
Longevity est.	80	excellent
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	47	below average
Efficiency	45	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 50% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 63% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 82% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 56% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 86: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 80: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1990 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1990 Plymouth Sundance?

Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 12 of them (24%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1990 Plymouth Sundance reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1990 Plymouth Sundance last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1990 Plymouth Sundance?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.