1991 Plymouth Acclaim Problems
- Complaints
- 97filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 121,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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 1991 Plymouth Acclaim (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe airbags that failed to deploy in a collision, automatic transmission shifting problems ranging from hard jerks to the transmission failing outright, and episodes of sudden acceleration or engine surging, sometimes addressed by cleaning or replacing the throttle body. Several complaints note the problem recurring after a repair, and mileage is rarely stated in these reports.
- Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission shifting problems and failures
Mentioned in 7 of 35 sampled complaints
Owners describe the transmission jerking into gear, getting stuck in second gear, losing forward drive while the engine raced, or failing outright and needing replacement. Some complaints describe the transmission being replaced more than once, including an electronic transaxle controller, with the problem sometimes returning afterward. Dealers in some cases could not reproduce the fault or said the repair was no longer covered under warranty. Mileage is rarely reported in these complaints; several describe the issue at specific driving speeds such as around 28-32 mph or while shifting into gear, rather than at a particular mileage.
What to check: During a test drive, check for firm or delayed engagement when shifting from park into drive and reverse, and for any jerk or flare at around 30 mph. Ask whether the transmission or transaxle controller has been replaced and keep service records.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When putting the vehicle into gear, the vehicle jerks. Also, sometimes the vehicle will go backwards, but will not go forwards. The transmission has been replaced twice, and now it has gone out again. The dealer said it's out of warranty to replace it a 3rd time, and stated that the consumer would have to pay for the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #824423, filed 1998-06“While driving the vehicle to school vehicle suddenly accelerated. Shifted into second gear and it locked up. Contacted dealer and had the transmission replaced. Drove the vehicle about 6 blocks and had the same problem. The dealer replaced an electronic automatic transaxle controller. The original controller was not reprogrammable. This fixed the problem of locking in 2nd gear.”
NHTSA complaint #850967, filed 1999-10 - Air bags
Airbag did not deploy in a collision
- 12 complaints (12%)
- typically at 6.3 yrs old
- 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2003
Owners describe frontal collisions in which the driver or passenger airbag did not deploy, including impacts with poles, guardrails and other vehicles, and in one case the belt and airbag system reportedly deployed partially and left burns. One owner reported the airbag deploying without a crash after driving over a railway crossing. Complaints generally describe the vehicle being inspected afterward by insurers or by the dealer. These reports do not state mileage; they describe events during collisions at various speeds, from low speed up to highway speed.
What to check: Ask whether the front impact sensors were checked or re-secured under the airbag sensor campaign, and whether the airbag warning lamp lights briefly at start-up and then goes out. A history report and inspection of the front end for prior collision repair are also worth requesting.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Consumer drove over an exposed portion of a railroad track at approximately 10 MPH. The driver's front air bag deployed without warning which resulted in the consumer sustaining burns from the deployment chemicals.”
NHTSA complaint #10015813, filed 2003-04“Vehicle was stolen, traveling wet road, approx. 40mph, lost control, hit and broke telephone pole, frontal damage,bent frame, airbag did not deploy, car purchased 3 weeks prior to incident, thief fled scene.”
NHTSA complaint #748229, filed 2001-07 - Vehicle speed control
Sudden acceleration or engine surging at stops
- 9 complaints (9%)
- typically at 8.5 yrs old
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2002
Owners describe the engine racing or surging while the vehicle was stopped or slowing, sometimes hard enough that extra brake pressure was needed to keep the car from creeping forward, and in a few cases the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly and struck something. Complaints mention that cleaning or replacing the throttle body helped for a while, and that symptoms worsened when the air conditioning or defroster was on and vacuum leaks were repaired. Some dealers reported being unable to reproduce the problem. Mileage is not stated in these complaints; owners describe the behavior at stop signs, while slowing down, and while driving with the air conditioning or defrost running.
What to check: With the engine warm and the air conditioning on, sit at a stop in gear and watch whether idle speed stays steady or climbs. Ask whether the throttle body has been cleaned or replaced and whether vacuum lines were checked.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I need to get this component cleaned every 10k miles. This is a design defect. I show 7 failures (it continues to fail until the throttle body is cleaned). Since all the do at the shop is clean the throttle body, I felt why bother. This is a safty issue. I should have complained sooner. I had just found out about this service.”
NHTSA complaint #705874, filed 1999-04“The engine revs while stopped, consumer has to press hard on brakes in order for vehicle not to move forward, the problem occurs more when the vehicles air conditioning/defrost system is on, when mechanic repairs the vacuum leaks, it helps for a while, but then the problem resurfaces. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #785327, filed 2001-03
Buying note. On a car of this age, condition and service history matter more than any single complaint pattern, so check the transmission behavior on a test drive, the headlamp housings, and any coolant seepage before buying. Ask for records showing whether the airbag sensor and seat belt anchor campaigns were completed.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 35 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 97 consumer complaints for the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim. 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 121,500 miles. Of all complaints, 15 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 15 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Air bags14 14%
- Vehicle speed control12 12%
- Engine cooling11 11%
- Electrical system10 10%
- Suspension10 10%
- Seat belts7 7.2%
- Body and structure7 7.2%
- Exterior lighting6 6.2%
- Brakes5 5.1%
Also reported: Fuel system (5), Seats (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Steering (2), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Was going 35mph when another vehicle ran stop sign and hit consumer's vehicle. Acclaim was crossing intersection. Upon impact, driver's air bag failed to deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #845007, filed 1999-08Transmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle seems to downshift, or not get enough gas, driving it will go into lower gear, engine will rev, odometer goes over 5, in order to keep it from shutting off, I drive it in lower gear. First started after driving app. 50 miles, now it won't stay running. Have replaced the coil, did not help”
NHTSA complaint #762261, filed 2002-05Engine cooling: “1991 Plymouth Acclaim, unit 1 was traveling westbound on ir 76 in the right lane, when the driver pulled over onto the right berm because of engine trouble, which the vehicle then ignited into flames and was consumed by fire. According to the police report, the fire may have originated in the catalytic converter area of the muffler. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0381-91)”
NHTSA complaint #10409955, filed 2011-06Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,000 and 171,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acclaim · sedan | not rated | 3 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 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 | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Acclaim FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Acclaim FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
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
- 91V122000Jul 11, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Plymouth Acclaim 1991, Dodge Spirit 1991, Dynasty 1991 +4 more
Front outboard safety belt may become difficult to latch and or unlatch due to a webbing stiffener entering the buckle housing and dislodging the buckle latch guide.
- 90V194000Nov 19, 1990Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactiveCovers: Plymouth Acclaim 1991, Dodge Spirit 1991, Shadow 1991 +1 more
The two air bag system front impact sensors may not be secured to their mounting brackets.
- 90V162000Sep 4, 1990Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › CaliperCovers: Plymouth Acclaim 1991, Dodge Spirit 1991, Shadow 1991 +5 more
Front disc brake caliper guide pin bolts may not have been adequately torqued and could loosen.
Recall details for the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1991 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
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim?
Owners of this model year most often describe airbags that failed to deploy in a collision, automatic transmission shifting problems ranging from hard jerks to the transmission failing outright, and episodes of sudden acceleration or engine surging, sometimes addressed by cleaning or replacing the throttle body. The issues reported most often: Transmission shifting problems and failures; Airbag did not deploy in a collision; Sudden acceleration or engine surging at stops.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim have?
NHTSA recorded 97 consumer complaints for the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 14 complaints (14% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 13.
Has the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim get?
The EPA rates the 1991 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 1991 Plymouth Acclaim reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 121,500 miles and the middle half falls between 72,000 and 171,000 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.