Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Plymouth Sundance, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 | 22% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 16% |
| Power train | 5 | 16% |
| Structure | 4 | 13% |
| Suspension | 2 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 6% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
SERPENTINE BELT ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERNATOR SLIPS FROM PULLEY ASSEMBLY WHEN IN CONTACT WITH WATER IS MADE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND REPLACED BELT. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT WHEN BELT SLIPS FROM ASSEMBLY,
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
SPEEDOMETER ON OTHER PEOPLE'S SAME MODEL CAR HAD SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
PEELING PAINT IS CAUSING ADHESIVE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD TO COME LOOSE. OWNER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS COULD CAUSE WINDSHIELD TO COLLAPSE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN COR
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
IF YOU CAN'T HELP ME WITH THE PAINT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO CAN. WAS THERE ANY RECALL ON PAINTING FOR PLYMOUTHS? I SEE MANY SUNDANCES ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME PROBLEM PEELING AS MINE. ALSO, SOME SPOTS WHERE PEELING O
NHTSA complaint: Structure
HATCHBACK STRUTS FAIL TO KEEP LID UP, FALLS EVERYTIME ITS OPENED CAUSING SERVERE BACK INJURY TO OWNER. *YC
NHTSA complaint: Structure
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACELERATION WHILE BACK BACKING OUT OF A PARKING (VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL) CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT BETWEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A TREE. DEALER/MFR. WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
HATCHBACK STRUT RODS FAILED CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER'S SPINAL COLUMN. MJS
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TORSION BAR WELDING BROKE IN REAR AXLE CAUSING NOISE AND BAD PERFORMANCE. QCAW
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Risk: IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH BOLT THAT INCLUDES A SELF LOCKING NYLON PATCH.
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Risk: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE
THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Risk: IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH BOLT THAT INCLUDES A SELF LOCKING NYLON PATCH.
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.
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seats is the most reported area with 7 of them (22%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (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 81/100, 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 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.