1992 Plymouth Acclaim Problems
- Complaints
- 63filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles, 3 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 / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim most commonly report concerns with airbag deployment, rear suspension weld failures, and electrical or fuel-system fires. Several complaints describe the driver-side airbag deploying unexpectedly without a collision, while others note the rear trailing arm welds breaking and causing handling problems. Electrical fires traced to the ignition wiring harness and fuel line failures are also recurring themes.
- Air bags
Unexpected airbag deployment without collision
- 11 complaints (17%)
- typically at 5.5 yrs old
- 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2000
Owners report the driver-side airbag deploying at low or moderate speeds with no collision involved, sometimes causing loss of vehicle control. Several complaints note the airbag warning light staying on continuously, with dealers unable to identify a cause. At least one complaint describes an injury resulting from an unexpected deployment. Complaints do not consistently report mileage, but incidents are described across a range of driving conditions and speeds.
What to check: Ask whether the airbag warning light has ever been on and whether any airbag system inspection has been performed; have the airbag module and sensors inspected by a qualified technician.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The seal around the air bag is cracked. Told dealer and they said that nothing could be done about it. Took it back in and they glued it. I had them test drive the car, in which I drove, to see if they could tell what the hollow sound was that I was hearing and the mechanic told me that it could be a bearing in the wheel that was going bad. But then the next day another guy told me that it sounds like the exhaust. …”
NHTSA complaint #719923, filed 2000-03“Under steering column there is hot heat coming from under where the key goes. Also, the air bag light is on and the air bag light won't go off. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer and they can't determine the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #830441, filed 1998-11 - Electrical system
Electrical fires and ignition wiring smoke
- 7 complaints (11%)
- median 5,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2003
Owners report smoke emerging from under the dash, the steering column area, or the engine bay, in several cases followed by an engine fire. Complaints attribute the problem to ignition wiring harness failure and, in one case, an overheating ignition switch linked to the air conditioner circuit. One vehicle was reported as totaled after an engine fire. Incidents are described as occurring while driving or shortly after parking; no consistent mileage is reported in the sample.
What to check: Check for any signs of melted or discolored wiring near the steering column and ignition switch, and ask whether any wiring harness work has been done.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Circuit for air conditioner fan goes through the ignition switch. The higher the A/C fan speed, the more the ignition switch overheats- gets hot enough to melt wire insulation and cause first degree burns.”
NHTSA complaint #526244, filed 1997-10“Consumer pulled into a parking lot/turned car off, and 5 or 10 minutes later smoke started coming from under the hood, and engine on fire. Vehicle was totalled. Fuel pressure regulator failed.”
NHTSA complaint #868661, filed 2000-08 - Suspension
Rear trailing arm weld failure
- 8 complaints (13%)
- typically at 5.5 yrs old
- filed 1995–2000
Complaints describe welds on the rear axle trailing arm breaking, leading to alignment problems, clanking noises during turns, and difficult handling. Some owners had the rear axle assembly replaced more than once. According to one complaint, a dealer acknowledged the weld failure and called it a concern. Complaints do not specify consistent mileage; issues are described as recurring and in some cases requiring repeated repairs.
What to check: Inspect the rear axle trailing arm welds for cracks or repairs, and listen for clanking sounds when making slow turns in both directions.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The weld on the rear axle broke & is hard control around turns/temp&speedometer work on and off can't find problem, and dealer said they have had no complants on all of these things.”
NHTSA complaint #726603, filed 2000-08“Consumer states that when making a left or right turn in the reverse position vehicle made a clanking noise. The trailing arm over the rear axle had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #803899, filed 1996-11
Buying note. This model year has an active steering column recall (92V015000) that some vehicles may not have had repaired; confirm recall completion before purchasing. Given the age of these vehicles, a pre-purchase inspection covering the rear suspension welds, ignition wiring, and steering column is advisable.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 28 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 63 consumer complaints for the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim. 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,000 miles. Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 8 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign 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 bags12 19%
- Suspension9 14%
- Electrical system7 11%
- Fuel system5 7.9%
- Steering5 7.9%
- Engine cooling4 6.3%
- Brakes3 4.8%
- Body and structure3 4.8%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Equipment (2), Exterior lighting (2), Seat belts (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Air bag nor seat belts protected the consumer during an accident when the consumer hit the back of another vehicle at 45mph. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #826495, filed 1998-08Transmission and drivetrain: “The vehicle was running ,it was in park gear. Dealer had told consumer to push gear towards consumer and up to make sure gear was in park. Suddenly gear jumped into reverse, causing vehicle to run into a tree. Consumer has to get door and left fender replaced ,consumer sustained bruises.”
NHTSA complaint #820263, filed 1998-01Suspension: “Vehicle has an out of balance vibration and wheel,tire,axle,and bearing assembly have been replaced. Problem persist. Cooling line clamps loosened and leaked coolant”
NHTSA complaint #721215, filed 2000-04Mileage when problems were reported
67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 90,000 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 1992 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 1992 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 | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Acclaim FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Acclaim FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Acclaim FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 3-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
- 92V015000Feb 14, 1992Steering › Steering wheel/handle barCovers: Plymouth Acclaim 1992, Dodge Caravan 1992, Plymouth Voyager 1992 +10 more
The zinc plating operation performed on the upper steering column shaft coupling bolt caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.
Recall details for the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1992 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 1992 Plymouth Acclaim?
Owners of the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim most commonly report concerns with airbag deployment, rear suspension weld failures, and electrical or fuel-system fires. The issues reported most often: Unexpected airbag deployment without collision; Electrical fires and ignition wiring smoke; Rear trailing arm weld failure.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim have?
NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints for the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 12 complaints (19% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 12.
Has the 1992 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 1992 Plymouth Acclaim get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Plymouth Acclaim (Acclaim, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 25 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 1992 Plymouth Acclaim reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 90,000 miles; 67% 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.