1988 Plymouth Sundance 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 1988 Plymouth Sundance problems
The 1988 Plymouth Sundance is known to have several common problems, primarily related to its suspension and steering systems. These issues can lead to a rough or bumpy ride, swaying, and unusual noises when driving over speed bumps or uneven surfaces.
- Suspension and Steering Issues: The suspension system of the 1988 Plymouth Sundance is prone to wear and tear, which can lead to a bumpy or unstable ride. The shocks and struts, which contribute to the car's handling and stability, may wear out over time, causing the vehicle to bounce excessively or sway from side to side. Regular inspections and replacement of these components can help maintain the suspension system's performance and extend the car's lifespan.
- Power Steering Fluid: The power steering fluid in the 1988 Plymouth Sundance should be inspected and changed regularly to ensure smooth and efficient steering. If the power steering fluid is low or contaminated, it can cause the steering to feel stiff or unresponsive, which can be dangerous while driving.
- Tire Pressure and Tread Depth: Proper tire care is crucial for maintaining the suspension system's performance and preventing premature wear. Uneven tire wear can be a sign of suspension or steering problems, but it can also contribute to these issues. Regular tire rotations and wheel alignments can help ensure that the tires are wearing evenly and that the suspension system is functioning correctly.
- Vacuum Leaks: Vacuum leaks are a common problem in the 1988 Plymouth Sundance, particularly in the intake and around the intake lines. These leaks can cause the engine to run poorly, resulting in erratic idling, stalling, or difficulty starting. Regular inspections and repairs of vacuum leaks can help maintain the engine's performance and prevent further damage.
- Rough Idling: Rough idling is a common problem in the 1988 Plymouth Sundance, which can be caused by various factors, including vacuum leaks, faulty sensors, or worn-out engine components. Regular inspections and maintenance can help identify and address these issues, ensuring that the engine runs smoothly and efficiently.
In conclusion, the 1988 Plymouth Sundance is known to have several common problems, primarily related to its suspension, steering, and engine systems. Regular inspections and maintenance can help identify and address these issues, ensuring that the car remains safe and reliable to drive.
1988 Plymouth Sundance 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:
- Seat belts problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Steering problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Plymouth Sundance vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1988 Plymouth Sundance
The NHTSA has received 42 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Plymouth Sundance. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1988 Plymouth Sundance vehicles.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-10-12
- VIN: 1P3CS44K5JN
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: MOTOR BELT DOES NOT FUNCTION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK *YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-04-12
- VIN: 1P3BS44E3JN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THIS CAR HAS A POTENTIAL FOR "OIL" FIRE AND NO DEALER SO FAR HAS BEEN ABLE TO OFFER A SOLUTION. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-11-20
- Fire: 1
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: I CAME HOME FROM WORK ON THE 20TH OF NOVEMBER AND WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVE WAY MY CAR WEN'T UP IN FLAMES FROM WHAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID WAS A AS LEAK THAT WAS LEAKING FROM MY FUEL INJECTER ONTO MY MANIFOLD. MY CAR WAS TOTALED FROM THIS FIRE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-09-16
- VIN: 1P3CS48K1JN
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: PLEASE CALL BEGONIA FERREIRO AT 1973-344-4469
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-19
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MUFFLER FAILED. NLM
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-06-18
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. NLM
PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-30
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: PARKING BRAKE FAILED. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-30
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE OVERHAULED. NLM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-11
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE ROTORS, SHOES AND LINING FAILED. NLM
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-21
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. NLM
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-09
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REBUILT. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-21
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WATER PUMP FAILED. NLM
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-11
- VIN: 1P3BS48K2JN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: VEHICLE HAS ODOMETER TAMPERING/FRAUD. YH
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1988-01-01
- VIN: 1GWGV26K6JF
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: REAR SEAT BELT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY, AND WHEN TRYING TO PULL THE SEAT BELT OUT OF THE RETRACTOR, THE SEAT BELT WILL FREEZE. CONSUMER CAN'T PULL THE SEAT BELT OUT. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-29
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1P3BS44K8JN
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: REAR DEFROST WIRING SHORT.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-04-10
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ENGINE BLEW OUT, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THEN DIED OUT.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-04-13
- VIN: 1P3BS48D9JN
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: MAIN HOOD LATCH FAILED TO HOLD THE HOOD SHUT/SECONDARY LATCH ALSO FAILED TO ENGAGE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERATIVE. THE NYLON TACKS FOR BELTS HAVE WORN AWAY. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-01-24
- VIN: 3P3CS44D3JT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: GAS TANK MOUNTING BRACKETS RUSTED, CAUSING TANK STRAPS TO FALL DOWN.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-01
- VIN: 1P3BS44D4JN
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE HEAD GASKET/VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED; ALSO REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING/LEFT WHEEL CYLINDER AND OXYGEN SENSOR. *AK
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-21
- Crash: 1
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-07
- VIN: 1P3B548E4JN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: INTERMITTENT STALLING.
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-08-09
- VIN: 1P3B548E4JN
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR REPLACED TWICE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
- VIN: 1P3B548E4JN
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TURBO REPLACED.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-08-01
- VIN: 3P3CS44K4JT
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVERS MOTORBELT FAILED, ALSO COMES ACROSS NECK.
1988 Plymouth Sundance recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1988 Plymouth Sundance.
- 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: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS CAN MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- Consequence: SEAT OCCUPANTS WITHOUT SHOULDER RESTRAINTS ARE SUBJECT TOINCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: REPLACE THE SYSTEM DRIVE AND RAIL ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED COMPONENTS.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
- Summary: FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LAP BELT RETRACTOR, WHICH INCORPORATES A CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKING FEATURE, MAY MALFUNCTION.
- Consequence: SEAT BELT LOCK WOULD EXTRACT AND CHILD SEAT MAY MOVE OUTOF ITS RESTRAINED POSITION.
- Remedy: REPLACE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LAP RETRACTOR WITH A REDESIGNED RETRACTOR.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Plymouth Sundance problems:
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