1989 Plymouth Acclaim problems

Common 1989 Plymouth Acclaim problems

The Plymouth Acclaim, introduced in 1989, was a mid-size car that replaced the Plymouth Reliant. While the Acclaim was generally considered reliable, there were some common problems reported by owners.

One common issue was related to the transmission. Some Acclaim owners reported that their cars went into limp mode, where the transmission would shift only into second gear to prevent further damage. This problem could be temporarily fixed by turning the ignition on and off a few times. However, the underlying issue was often related to the transmission control module (TCM) ground connections. Adding new ground wires directly from the negative battery cable to the TCM and the alternator bolts has been reported to fix the problem.

Another issue reported by Acclaim owners was related to the engine. Some owners experienced engine mount breakage, steering linkage wear, CV joint failure, clutch/transmission problems, and cooling system problems. These issues were likely related to the car's age and mileage, as they were reported by owners of older Acclaim models.

The interior of the Acclaim was also prone to issues. Some owners reported that the vinyl seats would become "sweaty" in hot weather, making the car uncomfortable to drive. This issue was likely due to the type of material used for the seats, which was not as breathable as other materials.

In addition to these issues, some Acclaim owners reported moving violations, likely due to the car's handling and performance characteristics. The Acclaim was not known for its sporty handling or quick acceleration, which may have contributed to some owners receiving traffic tickets.

Despite these issues, the Plymouth Acclaim was generally considered a reliable and practical car. It was popular with owners who valued comfort, space, and reliability over performance and handling. The Acclaim was replaced by the Plymouth Breeze in 1996, which offered improved handling and performance.

What is the Dodge equivalent of a Plymouth Acclaim?

Dodge Spirit

Badge engineering was employed to give Dodge and Chrysler their own versions of the AA-body Acclaim: the Dodge Spirit, the Chrysler LeBaron sedan, and the export-market Chrysler Saratoga.

Why was Plymouth discontinued?

Plymouth (1928-2001): Once a well-known brand under the Chrysler umbrella, Plymouth was discontinued due to overlapping models and declining sales. Oldsmobile (1897-2004): Established in 1897, Oldsmobile faced declining sales and was eventually phased out by General Motors to streamline its brand portfolio.

Was Plymouth made by Ford?

Plymouth was a brand of automobiles produced by Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler. The brand was launched in 1928 to compete in what was then described as the "low-priced" market segment that was dominated by Chevrolet and Ford. It became a high-volume seller for the automaker until the late 1990s.

What was the failure of Plymouth?

After a rough start, the Plymouth Colony found some success as the colonists learned how to grow crops. However, due to poor soil, population increase, and wars with the native tribes, the Colony was eventually absorbed into the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

When did they stop making the Plymouth Acclaim?

Acclaim (and Dodge Spirit) production ended on December 9, 1994, after a short 1995 model year and the Cab-forward Plymouth Breeze was introduced as a replacement for 1996. The Acclaim was one of the last K-car derivatives produced by Chrysler.

Why did Plymouth cars fail?

Final years: 1990s–2001

By the 1990s, Plymouth had lost much of its identity, as its models continued to overlap in features and prices with its sister brands, Dodge and Eagle. Chrysler attempted to remedy this by repositioning Plymouth to its traditional target market as the automaker's entry-level brand.

Why did Plymouth stop?

It's all about the money. As staid as it may sound, the answer has nothing to do with corporate intrigue, malfeasance from competitors, or even cars so bad it killed the brand, even if the Plymouth Prowler didn't help much. Plymouth went the way of the dodo for one simple reason: Money.

What were the problems in Plymouth?

Many of the colonists fell ill. They were probably suffering from scurvy and pneumonia caused by a lack of shelter in the cold, wet weather. Although the Pilgrims were not starving, their sea-diet was very high in salt, which weakened their bodies on the long journey and during that first winter.

1989 Plymouth Acclaim car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Plymouth Acclaim problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Engine and engine cooling problems
• Power train problems
• Suspension problems
• Electrical system problems
• Exterior lighting problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Plymouth Acclaim vehicle components and the number of complaints received.