1989 Plymouth Acclaim Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 200,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 14 complaints (42% of the total), followed by suspension (6) and transmission and drivetrain (6). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 200,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling14 42%
- Suspension6 18%
- Electrical system4 12%
- Exterior lighting3 9.1%
- Air bags1 3.0%
- Equipment1 3.0%
- Seat belts1 3.0%
- Seats1 3.0%
- Steering1 3.0%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Vehicle was manufactured with incorrect valve guide which is causing oil to leak onto engine, resulting in vehicle smoking, possibly polluting the air.”
NHTSA complaint #823263, filed 1998-05Transmission and drivetrain: “I have driven the vehicle another 15,000 miles since the first indication of failure. I noticed a clunking noise in the rear end it was intermittent and I could not always determine the location. The dealer calmly said I had a broken axle - someone else said - get it welded - another says no way - get a used one from the junk yard. Everyone I talk to tells me of other people with this problem. The manufacturer replacement is the same - no upgraded quality - for $650 (not from the dealer) I can breathe easier. …”
NHTSA complaint #720675, filed 2000-03Electrical system: “While driving at normal speed the vehicle shut down and would not restart. The consumer believed a wire melted inside the fuel pump. On and off the road, the wire was boiling the gas around the wire, but it did not blow a fuse or melt other wires on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10040333, filed 2003-10, 200,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 200,000 and 200,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Plymouth Acclaim version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acclaim FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Acclaim FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Acclaim FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Acclaim FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Acclaim FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Acclaim FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V237000Dec 27, 1989Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: Plymouth Acclaim 1989–1990, Voyager 1989–1990, Dodge Shadow 1989–1990 +12 more
The engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.
Recall details for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim.
Other model years of the Plymouth Acclaim
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 30 | 74,000 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 69 | — | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 72 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 63 | 37,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 97 | 121,500 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 60 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1989 | 33 | 200,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Plymouth Acclaim model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 14 complaints (42% of the total), followed by suspension with 6.
Has the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim (Acclaim, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 200,000 miles and the middle half falls between 200,000 and 200,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.