1992 Plymouth Laser

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 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Plymouth Laser, and it carries 1 recall. 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
Power train	16	35%
Engine and engine cooling	11	24%
Visibility	4	9%
Structure	4	9%
Seat belts	3	7%
Electrical system	2	4%
Service brakes	2	4%
Power train	1	2%
Visibility	1	2%
Child seat	1	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

1992 PLYMOUTH LASER BADLY SLIPPING TRANSMISSION CAR QUIT IN TRAFFIC ABLE TO GET IT TOWED TO REPAIR A FULL TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT COST OF 1150.00 $ BY TRANSMISSION KINT TEMPLE TX IN 2002 ALL PARTS REPLACED OCT 10 2002.
NHTSA complaint: Power train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC HAVE NOT YET INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. NHT
NHTSA complaint: Power train

I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSFER CASE ON MY 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER. I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE OWNED IT FOR SIX YEARS. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THSI RECALL ABOUT A MONTH AGO.
NHTSA complaint: Power train

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSFER CASE IN HIS VEHICLE. THE RECALL NUMBER GIVEN BY THE DEALER IS 13781167. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE DEALER INDICATED TH
NHTSA complaint: Power train

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WITHOUT WARNING, ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP DUE TO A LEAKING SEAL FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INF
NHTSA complaint: Power train

WHILE IN MOTION CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT APPEARS THE SHOULDER BELT RELEASED FROM THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS. THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT WAS NOT BUCLKED. THIS CRASH RESULTED IN THE DEATH
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTION FOR RECALL 98V-069 FOR THE FAULTY TRANSFER CASE BUT AT THAT TIME THE DEFECT DID NOT EXIST, THE VEHICLE TRANSFER CASE BEGAN TO FAIL AFTER THE INSPECTION AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR TH
NHTSA complaint: Power train

TRANSMISSION JUMPING WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK AT 60K MILES...PAINT FAILED AT 41K MILES AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED BY DEALER 2 OR 3 TIMES(STILL A MESS) ...COMPUTER FAILED AROUND 70K MILES(ALONG WITH A FUEL INJECTOR AND A S
NHTSA complaint: Power train

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1992 Plymouth Laser. 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.

Power train:automatic transmission 98V069002

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, T

The seven scores

Reliability raw	87	excellent
Longevity est.	81	excellent
Maintenance	90	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	43	below average
Efficiency	43	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 53% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 69% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 100% 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 87: 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 81: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1992 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 90: 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 1992 Plymouth Laser?

Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 16 of them (35%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1992 Plymouth Laser reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (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 1992 Plymouth Laser last?

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 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1992 Plymouth Laser?

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.