Plymouth Sundance 1987 problems
The Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance are compact 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks that were introduced for the 1987 model year by the Chrysler Corporation. For 1991, a 2-door convertible variant was added to the Shadow lineup; this bodystyle was not offered by Plymouth. The Sundance/Shadow replaced the Omni/Horizon models of their respective marque.
The first vehicle rolled out of Sterling Heights Assembly on August 25, 1986. In late 1988, production of the Mexican market version called the Chrysler Shadow began at Toluca Car Assembly. The Shadow/Sundance was also sold in Europe from 1988 to 1991 as the Chrysler ES. Production ended on March 9, 1994, with the Shadow/Sundance being replaced by the Dodge / Plymouth Neon.
Design
The Shadow/Sundance employed a variant of the K-car platform, the P-body, which was based on a combination of the Dodge Daytona's suspension (alongside some of its interior styling cues) with a shortened version of the Dodge Lancer's body. It had originally been intended as a direct replacement for the earlier Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon, but with the economy segment becoming more crowded after the recent introductions of Hyundai (and Yugo) to the US market, Chrysler chose to make the car a bit more substantial. The P platform, being a cut down version of the regular K platform, was also a bit heavier than the competition. The lineup also had more equipment across the board than expected for the class, at least until the 1991 introduction of the stripped-down America model.
While they appeared to have a trunk, it was actually a hatchback. Chrysler considered this a special feature and advertising literature referred to it as "hidden hatchback versatility"; the relatively large storage capacity of these vehicles was a major selling point for the company. The Peugeot 309 which had been developed to replace the European Chrysler Horizon used a similar layout. While mechanically identical, the Sundance and Shadow were differentiated by their front grill, which featured brand consistent designs, Dodge using a crosshair design and Plymouth an "egg crate" design. They also had different tail lamps. In its final year, the Shadow featured the new Dodge ram's head emblem on the hood, replacing the corporate pentastar.
In the original lineup, the three-door only Shadow ES was the sportiest model, only available with the turbocharged engine and with wider rims and tires than other models.
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Common Plymouth Sundance 1987 problems
The Plymouth Sundance, introduced in 1987, was a compact variation on the K-car platform, sharing its underpinnings with the Dodge Shadow. Here are some of the common problems reported by owners of the Plymouth Sundance 1987:
- Fuel and Exhaust Issues: The Sundance Turbo was known for its poor fuel economy, especially for a car in the subcompact class. This was likely due to the turbocharged engine, which can consume more fuel than non-turbocharged engines.
- Engine and Transmission Problems: The Sundance Turbo was prone to water pump failure, transmission issues, and problems with the tripod, which connects the wheels to the steering. These issues can lead to shaking in the front wheels, making the car difficult to control.
- Interior Quality: The Sundance's interior was criticized for its plasticky parts, particularly those surrounding the instruments and stereo, which were described as feeling cheap and flimsy.
- Distributor Hall Effect Pickup Problem: Some owners reported issues with the distributor hall effect pickup, which can cause stalling at low idle and on some turns at high speeds. This problem can be difficult to diagnose and may require replacement of the distributor or other components.
- Carburetor Issues: The carburetor was another common source of problems, particularly in cars that had been sitting for a long time. Issues with the carburetor can cause stalling, particularly at low idle.
- Quality and Brand Reputation: Lingering doubts about quality and brand reputation may have hurt the Sundance more than it deserved, as it was a good car but not world class. This may have made it difficult for Chrysler to compete with Japanese competitors, which were known for their refinement and quality.
- Suspension and Steering Problems: Some owners reported issues with the suspension and steering, including a tendency for the car to pull to one side. This may have been due to issues with the steering components or alignment.
- Rust: While the car in the search results had zero rust anywhere, rust was a common problem for cars of this era, particularly in areas with harsh winters or coastal areas where salt was used on the roads.
- Electrical Issues: Some owners reported issues with the electrical system, including problems with the battery and charging system. These issues can be difficult to diagnose and may require replacement of the battery or other components.
In summary, the Plymouth Sundance 1987 was a good car, but it faced several common problems that could make it difficult to own and maintain. These issues included fuel and exhaust problems, engine and transmission issues, interior quality, distributor hall effect pickup problems, carburetor issues, quality and brand reputation, suspension and steering problems, rust, and electrical issues.
What years did they make Plymouth Sundance?
| Dodge Shadow | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Chrysler ES Chrysler Shadow Plymouth Sundance |
| Production | August 1986 – March 1994 |
| Model years | 1987–1994 |
| Assembly | United States: Sterling Heights, Michigan (Sterling Heights Assembly) Mexico: Toluca, Mexico State (Toluca Car Assembly) |
How much horsepower does a Plymouth Sundance Turbo have?
Powertrain specs
| Engine type | 2.2 L Turbo I turbo I4 |
|---|---|
| Power | 148 ps (146 bhp / 109 kw) @ 5200 rpm |
| Torque | 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) @ 3600 rpm |
| Power / liter | 67 ps (66 hp) |
| Power / weight | 121 ps (120 bhp) / t |
When did they stop making Plymouth?
June 29, 2001
Plymouth (automobile)
| Product type | Automobile, vans, trucks |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Chrysler Corporation DaimlerChrysler |
| Introduced | July 7, 1928 by Walter Chrysler (94 years ago) |
| Discontinued | June 29, 2001 |
| Related brands | Dodge |
What year did Plymouth go out?
2001
After Plymouth folded on June 29, 2001 (the day after this car was built), Dodge continued building the cars and selling them in the U.S. until 2006. The Neon cost $18,210 when new.
What years were the Plymouth Sundance made?
| Dodge Shadow | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Chrysler ES Chrysler Shadow Plymouth Sundance |
| Production | August 1986 – March 1994 |
| Model years | 1987–1994 |
| Assembly | United States: Sterling Heights, Michigan (Sterling Heights Assembly) Mexico: Toluca, Mexico State (Toluca Car Assembly) |
How much horsepower does a Plymouth Sundance Turbo have?
Powertrain specs
| Engine type | 2.2 L Turbo I turbo I4 |
|---|---|
| Power | 148 ps (146 bhp / 109 kw) @ 5200 rpm |
| Torque | 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) @ 3600 rpm |
| Power / liter | 67 ps (66 hp) |
| Power / weight | 121 ps (120 bhp) / t |
When did they stop making Plymouth?
June 29, 2001Plymouth (automobile)
| Product type | Automobile, vans, trucks |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Chrysler Corporation DaimlerChrysler |
| Introduced | July 7, 1928 by Walter Chrysler (94 years ago) |
| Discontinued | June 29, 2001 |
| Related brands | Dodge |
What brand was the Sundance car?
So it's probably no surprise that Chrysler seems to be one of the most aggressive. Companies following this trend. Though this time it was almost as much a matter of circumstance. As it was a plan
Plymouth Sundance 1987 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Plymouth Sundance problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Structure problems
- Seat belts problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Plymouth Sundance 1987 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Plymouth Sundance 1987 complaints
The NHTSA has received 12 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Plymouth Sundance 1987.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-03-18
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1P3BP44JXKN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK THE HOOD BLEW OPEN BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO A REBUILT MOTOR THAT KEPT RUNNING HOT AND STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER 15 TIMES AND THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STILL WASN'T FIXED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE USED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND FOR THE REPAIR OR A NEW VEHICLE. *SCC *JB
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1P3B548D4HN
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, THE CONSUMER HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND LIFT THE ACCELERATOR WITH HIS TOE IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-01-26
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1P3BS48E6HN
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DRIVING WHEN IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS NO POWER, WENT FROM 35 TO 20 MPH THEN STARTED SMOKING AS I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT. WENT TO GET HELP BUT NO ONE WAS AT WORK, MEN NEXT DOOR NOTICED SMOKE AND RAN OVER WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE HOOD LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE. POLICE DEPT RESPONDED AND TIRED TO EXTINGUISHED BUT COULD NOT GET INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE SHORTED ALL WIRING. CAR WIRING WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED AND CAR WAS TOTALED. SECOND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DUE TO WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. LAST FAILURE WAS ON APRIL 1991. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VEHICLE HAS A FUEL LEAK, PLACE OF LEAK UNKNOWN, BUT THE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-01-23
- VIN: 1P3BS44D9HN
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: LIGHT BULB UNDER AUTOMATIC GEAR SELECTOR CONSOLE ASSEMBLY WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. AFTER PURCHASING REPLACEMENT LIGHT BULB AS PER NUMBER SPECIFIED IN OWNERS MANUAL, REMOVED GEAR SELECTOR CONSOLE TO DISCOVER THAT BULB HAD NEARLY COMPLETED MELTED LENS AROUND IT. BULB WAS ENCASED IN MELTED PLASTIC AND SMELLED BURNED. BULBS MELTING PLASTIC IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. SEE ALSO MY RECENT REPORT ODI 701361 AND ALSO ODI 371625 (ANOTHER PERSON). BURNING PLASTIC MAY CAUSE FIRE IN INTERIOR OF VEHICLE AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS AND RELATED PROBLEMS OR PAY FOR PARTS/LABOR.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-12-14
- VIN: 1P3BS44D9HN
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HIGH MOUNTED STOP LIGHT STARTED SMOKING DUE TO OVERHEATING. SOCKETS AND BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING MELTED CAUSING SMOKE IN INTERIOR OF VEHICLE.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1P3BS48D7HN
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: TRUNK DOOR WON'T STAY UP WHEN OPENED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED . TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-16
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1P3BS48D7HN
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE CAR HIT A TREE HEAD ON AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN OCCUPANT. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-22
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RELEASE MECHANISM BUTTON ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-05
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOWN ORIGIN. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-31
- VIN: 1P3BS44D3HN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. TT
Plymouth Sundance 1987 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Plymouth Sundance 1987.
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.
- Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy: RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.
Additional sources
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