Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Plymouth Acclaim, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 | 15% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 12% |
| Visibility | 3 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 6% |
| Power train | 2 | 6% |
| Tires | 2 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 6% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER TIMING BELT SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, COASTED, AND STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S
NHTSA complaint: Engine
WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE DURING A HEAVY RAIN STORM I HIT A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND SOLD TO ME 3 YEARS AGO. THIS
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY 1995 VOYAGER WAS SUPPOSEDLY SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL 99V113000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 818/AIRBAG SYSTEM WIRING ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1999. AT THAT TIME THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM. WHAT WAS DONE AT THAT TIME
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS COLLAPSED INTO RECLINING POSITION WHEN HIT IN REAR AND THEN WHEN WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WE WERE THROWN FROM A LAYING POSITION UP TO THE DASH. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Seats
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN SMOKE SUDDENLY STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER QUICKLY PULLED OVER, AND GOT OUT WHEN IT BURSTED INTO FLAMES, TOTALLING VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TRANSMISSION HAD FAILURE IN LOW GEAR REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TIRES CAME APART AT AREA OF BEAD. INFLATION WAS PROPER. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M6RV 27430 TIRESIZE: P185/70R14)
NHTSA complaint: Tires
PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATION, NO HEAT AND EXCESSIVE COOLANT USAGE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 5 of them (15%). No recalls are on record for it.
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 1995 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.