1996 Plymouth Acclaim problems

Common 1996 Plymouth Acclaim problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 1996 Plymouth Acclaim, common problems reported include:

• Electrical Problems: Some owners have reported electrical issues, particularly related to the wire close to the battery burning out, causing malfunctions in various components like the backup lights, ceiling light, A/C, heater fan, and back glass defogger. While this problem is relatively common, it is considered easy to fix by replacing the affected wires.

• Suspension and Steering Concerns: The Plymouth Acclaim, along with the Dodge Spirit and Chrysler LeBaron, had major suspension and steering changes to improve cornering and overall driving feel. These changes aimed to enhance the driving experience and address any potential issues related to handling and comfort.

• Engine Performance: Some owners have highlighted issues with engine performance, such as sputtering and starting difficulties. A specific recommendation includes buying a new distributor if the car experiences these symptoms, which has proven to be a solution for some owners.

• General Maintenance: Regular maintenance items like brake pads, exhaust system repairs, and oil leakage have been reported by owners. Despite these issues, many owners have praised the Plymouth Acclaim for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and overall performance over the years.

These reported problems provide insights into the common issues faced by owners of the 1996 Plymouth Acclaim, highlighting areas where maintenance and attention may be needed to ensure the continued smooth operation of the vehicle.

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.

1996 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

The graph below shows statistics for all 1996 Plymouth Acclaim vehicle components and the number of complaints received.