Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim, and it carries 3 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 12% |
| Air bags | 13 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 9% |
| Power train | 9 | 8% |
| Suspension | 9 | 8% |
| Structure | 6 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 5% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1991 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON IR 76 IN THE RIGHT LANE, WHEN THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ONTO THE RIGHT BERM BECAUSE OF ENGINE TROUBLE, WHICH THE VEHICLE THEN IGNITED INTO FLAMES AND WAS CONSUMED BY
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
CAR WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR CAUSING THE DRIVERS SEAT TO BREAK AND FALLING BACK INTO THE REAR SEAT AND LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CONTINUING ANOTHER 200 FEET BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RECOVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Seats
PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM 1991, SPRINGS IN FRONT DOORS TOO STRONG. *BF *JB
NHTSA complaint: Structure
BAD PAINT WHICH IS NOW PEELING OFF THE HOOD AND ROOF, THOUGH THE REST OF THE CAR IS JUST FINE.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO SATISFY HIM AS A LONG TIME CUSTOMER. MR SCC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER 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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE PAINT ON THIS VEHICLE IS JUST FALLING OFF IN SPLOTCHES. A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE SAID THAT WAS TYPICAL OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. HE CLAIMS THE MANUFACTURER USED THE INCORRECT PRIMER AND FINAL PAINT. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Structure
AT 28-32 MPH VEHICLE JERKS/SHIFTS TO SECOND GEAR, AND RPMS GO TO 3000-4000. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT THIS POINT. TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN SECOND GEAR,.CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF ENGINE TO GET OUT OF SECOND GEAR. THI
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim. 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.
THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Risk: AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
Fix: REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.
FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.
FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
Risk: LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 13 of them (12%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. 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.