1998 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.
Social links
Common 1998 Plymouth Sundance problems
The Plymouth Sundance, produced in 1998, was known for its affordability and decent performance, but it was also criticized for its lack of refinement and certain common problems.
- Motor Mount Breakage: The motor mounts of the Sundance were prone to breakage, which could lead to engine movement and vibration, affecting the overall driving experience.
- Steering Linkage Wear: The steering linkage of the Sundance was known to wear out prematurely, leading to imprecise steering and potential safety issues.
- CV Joint Failure: The constant velocity (CV) joints, which connect the transmission to the wheels, were known to fail prematurely, causing a loss of power and potential safety issues.
- Clutch / Transmission Problems: The Sundance's clutch and transmission were also known to have issues, including slipping, jerking, and difficulty shifting.
- Cooling System Problems: The cooling system of the Sundance was prone to leaks and overheating, which could lead to engine damage if not addressed promptly.
- Interior Quality: The interior of the Sundance was criticized for its cheap materials and finish, which did not match the quality of its Japanese competitors.
- Lack of Refinement: The Sundance was often criticized for its lack of refinement, including noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) issues, which affected the overall driving experience.
- Fuel Economy: Despite being a subcompact car, the Sundance's fuel economy was decidedly lacking, which was a significant drawback for many buyers.
In conclusion, while the Plymouth Sundance offered affordable performance, it was plagued by several common problems, including engine and transmission issues, steering and suspension problems, and interior quality concerns. These issues, combined with its lack of refinement, made the Sundance a less appealing choice for many buyers, especially when compared to its Japanese competitors.
What years did they make the Plymouth Sundance?
| Dodge Shadow | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chrysler Corporation |
| Also called | Chrysler ES Chrysler Shadow Plymouth Sundance |
| Production | August 1986 – March 1994 |
| Model years | 1987–1994 |
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 |
Who makes the Sundance car?
Sold for the 1987 through 1994 model years, the Sundance was Plymouth's compact sedan and coupe, which would collectively replace the Horizon, Turismo, and Reliant, as these vehicles were phased out between 1987-1990.
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 |
Who made the Sundance car?
the Chrysler Corporation
The Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance are economical 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks that were introduced for the 1987 model year by the Chrysler Corporation.
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 |
Who makes the Sundance car?
Sold for the 1987 through 1994 model years, the Sundance was Plymouth's compact sedan and coupe, which would collectively replace the Horizon, Turismo, and Reliant, as these vehicles were phased out between 1987-1990.
Who is the owner of Sundance Chevrolet?
GRAND LEDGE - Sundance Chevrolet owner Terry Hanks, 76, was easy to find Friday morning at his dealership. And it wasn't just because he had his trademark cowboy hat and boots on.
1998 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:
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Plymouth Sundance vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1998 Plymouth Sundance complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Plymouth Sundance.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2P4FP25B5WR
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. *YC
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1998 Plymouth Sundance problems:
Q&A: 1993 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo Problems
Apr 29, 2008 ... I have a 93'' plymouth laser and have problems with cold starts... It starts up and dies and after four or five times - Answered by a ...
Curbside Classics: 1987-1994 Plymouth Sundance (With Bonus ...
Jun 9, 2022 ... Adding to this, the P-bodies never earned a high reputation for reliability, and like most American small cars of their time, the Sundance/ ...
Look At What I Found!: 1991 Plymouth Sundance America, Driven ...
Jan 14, 2012 ... ... common rear-window defroster option. Still ... Apparently, no 1991 Plymouth Sundance ... I never had a single problem with that car, despite running ...
SUNDANCE INTERMITTENT STALLING | Allpar Forums
Nov 28, 2011 ... When the car stalls, it has, after 5-10 minutes, regained it's ability to start. This puzzles me and leaves me with too low a reliability factor ...
Chrysler K Car Memories? - Airliners.net
I was in a friend's Charger when at a red light the engine erupted in flame. Very common problem with those. Mines caught fire twice ...
Other years of Plymouth Sundance
Are you having problems with your 1998 Plymouth Sundance?
Leave your review of 1998 Plymouth Sundance