1982 Plymouth Reliant problems
The Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries are mid size cars introduced for model year 1981 as the first "K-cars" manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation. The Reliant and Aries were the smallest cars to have the traditional 6 passenger 2 bench seat with column shifter seating arrangement favored by customers in the United States (Chrysler marketed the car as being able to seat "six Americans"), similar to larger rear-wheel drive cars such as the Dodge Dart and other front-wheel drive cars such as the Chevrolet Celebrity. The Reliant was powered by a then-new 2.2 L I4 SOHC engine, with a Mitsubishi "Silent Shaft" 2.6 L as an option (this engine also featured hemispherical combustion chambers, and all 1981 models equipped with it featured "HEMI" badges on the front fenders). The Reliant was available as a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan, or as a 4-door station wagon, in three different trim lines: base, Custom and SE ("Special Edition"). Station wagons came only in Custom or SE trim.
As rebadged variants, the Reliant and Aries were manufactured in Newark, Delaware, Detroit, Michigan, and Toluca, Mexico — in a single generation. After their introduction, the Reliant and Aries were marketed as the "Reliant K" and "Aries K". The Aries was sold as the Dart K in Mexico, and as the Michigan in Japan. The Reliant replaced the Plymouth Volaré/Road Runner, while the Aries replaced the Dodge Aspen.
The Reliant and Aries were selected together as Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1981. Initial sales were brisk, with both Reliant and Aries each selling over 150,000 units in 1981, with cumulative sales of million Aries and 1.1 million Reliant units over the nine-year run.
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Common 1982 Plymouth Reliant problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1982 Plymouth Reliant, several common problems have been reported:
- Coolant Leak or Head Gasket Issues: Owners have reported major coolant leaks or head gasket problems. This can lead to overheating and engine damage if not addressed promptly. It is crucial to inspect the cooling system, including the radiator, hoses, and water pump, to identify and fix any leaks.
- Electrical Wiring Issues: Wiring problems, such as chewed-up wires and outdated components like points-style condensers, have been noted. These issues can cause electrical malfunctions, affecting critical systems like the ignition coil and instrument panel. Proper diagnosis and rewiring may be necessary to ensure the car's electrical system functions correctly.
- Transmission Fluid Concerns: Some owners have highlighted the need to change the transmission fluid in the A413 automatic transmission. Choosing the right type of fluid, considering recommendations like Dexron III or ATF+4, is essential to maintain proper transmission function and prevent premature wear.
- Instrument Panel Failure: Complaints about a completely non-functional instrument panel, including dead gauges, warning lights, and fuel gauge, have been raised. This can be caused by various factors, such as faulty wiring, blown fuses, or instrument cluster malfunctions, requiring a thorough inspection to identify and rectify the issue.
- Tire Replacement Challenges: Finding suitable tires for the Plymouth Reliant, especially the original P175/75R13 size, has been a challenge for some owners. Limited availability of tires in this size may necessitate exploring alternative sizes that are compatible with the vehicle's original wheels, ensuring proper fitment and performance.
Addressing these common problems in the 1982 Plymouth Reliant requires a systematic approach, including thorough inspections, proper maintenance, and timely repairs to ensure the vehicle's optimal performance and longevity.
How reliable is the Plymouth Reliant K?
The Chrysler K cars (Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant) were average in reliability for their time. They sold incredibly well, and combined with all the models they spawned, saved Chrysler from going out of business.
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.
Was the K car reliable?
Known as the K car platform, it would become the centerpiece of Chrysler's turnaround. Not only was it less expensive to produce cars built on the same platform, they could be built more reliably with tightly focused engineering.
Are Dodge and Plymouth the same?
Dodge and Plymouth have made the same cars for years. They are the same company, (DaimlerChrysler), different 'brands'. Cars like the Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Sundance were the same body style with different accessory packages.
How reliable is the Plymouth Reliant K?
The Chrysler K cars (Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant) were average in reliability for their time. They sold incredibly well, and combined with all the models they spawned, saved Chrysler from going out of business.
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.
Was the K car reliable?
Known as the K car platform, it would become the centerpiece of Chrysler's turnaround. Not only was it less expensive to produce cars built on the same platform, they could be built more reliably with tightly focused engineering.
What was the Dodge version of the Plymouth Reliant?
The Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries are mid size cars introduced for model year 1981 as the first "K-cars" manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation.
1982 Plymouth Reliant car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Plymouth Reliant problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Exterior lighting problems
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1982 Plymouth Reliant vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1982 Plymouth Reliant complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1982 Plymouth Reliant.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-04-25
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: SEVERE LOSS OF TURN SIGNAL FLUID. *TR
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1990-12-23
- VIN: 1P3BP49B9CF
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN AND IT DOES NOT LATCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
1982 Plymouth Reliant recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1982 Plymouth Reliant.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
- Summary: FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY CORRODE AND FAIL AT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR PIVOT MOUNTS IF OPERATED WHERE SALT IS USED TO AID IN SNOW REMOVAL.
- Consequence: CONTROL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, ADVERSELYAFFECTING DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AS A RESULT OF CORROSION WEAKENING.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
- Summary: THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BAY BE EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING AN EXCESS OF WATER.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BRAKE FLUID WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
- Summary: CLAMP BOLTS INSTALLED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN CRACKS. EVENTUALLY THESE BOLTS MAY BREAK THROUGH, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH BALL JOINT STUD CLAMP BOLTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THE AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SWITCH MAY STICK IN THE "RESUME" POSITION RESTRICTING RETURN MOVEMENT. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM.
- Remedy: THE SHIELD PORTION OF THE "RESUME" SLIDE LEVER IN THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1982 Plymouth Reliant problems:
How reliable was the Chrysler k car? - Quora
Nov 3, 2018 ... ... (Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant) were average in reliability for their time ... engine issues and a blown motor was a fairly common problem.
COAL: 1981 Plymouth Reliant Sedan - Old Reliable - Curbside Classic
Jan 15, 2017 ... I can't even count how many of these cars fried the Engine Control Modules, up in NE Ohio, where moisture is a common problem year round. And ...
1982 Plymouth Reliant Questions | The Chrysler Minivan Fan Club ...
Oct 2, 2022 ... Copy all on your fuel system work. My major concerns would be gunk in the carb bowl and passages, as well as dried-out/failed gaskets which may ...
1980-83 Chrysler Cordoba/Dodge Mirada Problems | Allpar Forums
Jul 1, 2014 ... Chrysler was pushing its new line of front-drive "K" platform cars (Dodge Aries, Plymouth Reliant, and 1982-88 Chrysler LeBaron) and ...
Q&A: 1985 Plymouth Reliant Wiring Diagram - Expert Answers
Feb 10, 2009 ... The problem is: I can not find a wiring diagram that shows how the Auto-Shutdown module is wired to the rest of the electrical system. One of ...
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