1976 Plymouth Volare problems

Common 1976 Plymouth Volare problems

The Plymouth Volare, introduced in 1976, was a compact car that was meant to be a successor to the successful Dart/Valiant series. However, the Volare was plagued with numerous problems and recalls, which nearly destroyed Chrysler.

One of the most significant issues with the Volare was its quality problems and recalls. The car was rushed into production without proper pre-production testing procedures, which led to a host of problems. These included failing seatbelt tensors, issues with the fuel system, faulty steering columns, corroding brake lines, missing heat shields on the muffler, and upper control arms that separated from the frame.

The cost of developing the Volare, along with meeting new emission and safety regulations, had left Chrysler's corporate coffers pretty bare. The company's top brass was sure they had a winner on their hands, but they pushed to get the Volare into production six months earlier than planned, which hastened their return on the car.

The Volare's problems were not limited to its design and manufacturing. The car was also criticized for its vague and centerless power steering feel, which was not noticed by period car magazines due to the confusing technical jargon used in the car's description.

The Volare was also plagued by fuel system issues. In 1978, Chrysler had to recall every single front fender on the more than a million 1976-77 Volares and Aspens due to a problem with the fuel system.

The cost of these recalls was significant. The several hundred million dollars Chrysler might have gained by rushing the Volare to market was quickly obliterated by the billion dollars that recalls cost the company.

In addition to its design and manufacturing problems, the Volare was also criticized for its lack of innovation. Despite being marketed as a compact car with the interior space and ride qualities of a larger car, the Volare was not significantly different from its competitors in terms of size or performance.

The Volare's poor reputation was not helped by its association with the Dodge Aspen, which was nearly identical to the Volare in terms of design and performance. Both cars were criticized for their poor build quality, recalls, and lack of innovation.

In conclusion, the Plymouth Volare was a problem-plagued car that nearly destroyed Chrysler. Its quality problems, recalls, vague power steering, and lack of innovation made it a car that many owners would like to expunge from their memory. Despite being marketed as a compact car with the interior space and ride qualities of a larger car, the Volare failed to live up to its promises, and its poor reputation has persisted to this day.

How many miles per gallon does a 1976 Plymouth Volare get?

They were rated at 30 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city, when equipped with the Slant Six and manual transmission. Plymouth also frequently mentioned “The Clincher,” which was a twelve-month warranty on all new 1976 Plymouths.

What was the problem with the 1976 Dodge Aspen?

Rushed into production too quickly, the Aspen and Volare suffered premature rusting of the front fenders, forcing Chrysler to recall every single one made. The cars also had carburetor problems, causing them to stall, a defect Chrysler couldn't fix. Production mercifully ceased in 1980.

What was the car of the year in the 1976 Motor Trend?

Import Car of the Year Winners

Year	Winner
1979	Datsun 280ZX
1978	Toyota Celica
1977	Mercedes-Benz 280E
1976	Toyota Celica Liftback

How much is a Plymouth Volare worth?

A: The average price of a Plymouth Volare is $17,440. Q: When was the Plymouth Volare produced? A: The Plymouth Volare was sold for model years 1976 to 1980. Have another FAQ about the Plymouth Volare?

How many miles per gallon does a 1976 Plymouth Volare get?

They were rated at 30 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city, when equipped with the Slant Six and manual transmission. Plymouth also frequently mentioned “The Clincher,” which was a twelve-month warranty on all new 1976 Plymouths.

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.

What was the problem with the 1976 Dodge Aspen?

Rushed into production too quickly, the Aspen and Volare suffered premature rusting of the front fenders, forcing Chrysler to recall every single one made. The cars also had carburetor problems, causing them to stall, a defect Chrysler couldn't fix. Production mercifully ceased in 1980.

What was the car of the year in the 1976 Motor Trend?

Import Car of the Year Winners

Year	Winner
1979	Datsun 280ZX
1978	Toyota Celica
1977	Mercedes-Benz 280E
1976	Toyota Celica Liftback

1976 Plymouth Volare car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Plymouth Volare problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Suspension problems
• Fuel system problems
• Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1976 Plymouth Volare vehicle components and the number of complaints received.