1993 Plymouth Acclaim Problems
- Complaints
- 72filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 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 the car stalling or cutting out without warning, and automatic-transmission trouble such as slipping, delayed engagement or loss of reverse. A second cluster involves air bags that did not deploy in frontal impacts as owners expected, along with rear-suspension noises and water getting into the headlights. Many reports are on cars well past 80,000 miles, and several owners describe repeated visits without a definitive diagnosis.
- Air bags
Air bag did not deploy in a frontal impact
- 9 complaints (13%)
- typically at 6.5 yrs old
- 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2002
In several reports of front-end collisions, owners state the driver's air bag did not deploy; one mechanic told an owner the vehicle had no air bag sensor. A minority of reports go the other way, describing deployment at low speed with what owners felt was excessive force, and one describes the bag deploying partway after an electrical fault in the steering column wiring. Dealers in some cases told owners the bag was not designed to deploy in that situation. Reported across the model year's life, mostly in collision reports without mileage recorded.
What to check: Have the air bag warning lamp checked and confirm it lights at start-up and goes out; ask a mechanic to verify the sensors and wiring are intact, and be aware these are early-generation air bag systems with limited repair history.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While traveling approx. 8-10mph, had rearended vehicle in front. Upon impact, the driver's air bag deployed with excessive force. This caused injury to driver. Hand slammed into windshield & broke the knuckle.also, sustained upper body bruises.”
NHTSA complaint #830106, filed 1998-11“When vehicle crashed into the front passenger's side of a 1999 blazer, traveling at 55 MPH, there was no deployment of driver's side air bag. Also, entire front end of the Acclaim was smashed, and the Acclaim was totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #859722, filed 2000-04 - Engine cooling
Engine stalls or cuts out without warning
- 8 complaints (11%)
- typically at 4.9 yrs old
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2002
Owners describe the engine dying at any speed, sometimes while coming to a stop or while driving, with no warning and no consistent trigger. Several say the dealer or manufacturer could not identify the cause, and in one case the engine computer was replaced without changing the result. Related complaints mention a broken timing belt or repeated belt, pulley and water-pump replacements, and loss of power while turning. Reported across a wide mileage range, often on vehicles past 80,000 miles and in some cases after repeated belt and cooling-system repairs.
What to check: Ask for service records covering timing belt, water pump and ignition/electrical work, and take a test drive that includes idling in traffic and coming to repeated stops. A service bulletin on this model year mentions valve body overdrive cycling, so ask whether that was ever addressed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While driving a dark colored smoke came from exhaust, there was a noise in engine, resulting in a fire. Dealer contacted. Could not fix problem. When vehicle is at idle, it operates rough, then very dark smoke comes out of the exhaust, after 2 minutes the primary relay rattles and then the A/C relay, the accelerator races. The wires in the harness wire jacket discharge a white smoke and then the engine idles down with a smooth sound. …”
NHTSA complaint #8016193, filed 2002-08“Timing belt broke, causing the engine to stall which may cause a crash. Also problems with automatic transmission. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #849618, filed 1999-09 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission slips, hunts or loses gears
- 6 complaints (8%)
- median 80,000 mi at 19.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- filed 1996–2011
Owners report the automatic transmission slipping at stops until the car will barely move, then engaging abruptly with a squeal when the accelerator is pressed. Others describe the gear selector not going into reverse, reverse engaging from neutral, drive starting in second gear, or a loss of transmission fluid followed by no gear engagement except reverse. One owner reports the axle connection to the transmission breaking while slowing down. Commonly described between roughly 80,000 and 100,000 miles on cars used for ordinary driving.
What to check: Check transmission fluid level and colour, and test every gear including reverse from a cold start. Ask whether the transmission has been serviced or rebuilt, and watch for delayed or harsh engagement during the test drive.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My 93 Plymouth Acclaim 4 door sedan with a 3 speed automatic transmission the transmission at stops started to slip car wouldn't even move forward at all then when I pressed on the gas pedal to bring up the engine rpms it jump forward and I herd a high pitch squealing noise from under the hood and it started to move again...the transmission is slipping and now wont even shift... …”
NHTSA complaint #10424409, filed 2011-09, 80,000 miles“Consumer is having a problems with the automatic transmission, the vehicle will not go into gear in reverse, it will go into reverse in neutral and also will go into drive in second gear. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer repaired the part.”
NHTSA complaint #807997, filed 1997-01 - Electrical system
Ignition and engine-bay electrical faults
- 5 complaints (7%)
- typically at 4.0 yrs old
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2002
Complaints describe the ignition key cylinder binding so the key will not turn, wiring harness insulation burning or melting, smoke from under the hood, and a shorted ignition switch that lit the air bag lamp and shut down heater and air-conditioning controls. One owner links rough running, exhaust smoke and stalling to relay chatter and harness wiring. Reported on cars of varying age, often noticed when starting the car or after a short drive.
What to check: Try the key several times and check for stiffness or binding, look under the hood for darkened or melted wiring and a burning smell, and confirm the air bag and charging lamps behave normally.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Ignition switch shorted and caused the airbag light to come on and also shut down the air conditioning and heater controls. The wiring harness was burned with plastic melted in two separate areas.”
NHTSA complaint #522508, filed 1998-08“Vehicle had been parked for a short period of time. Driver returned and started the vehicle, smoke billowed out of the hood vents on the driver's side and driver could smell something burning.”
NHTSA complaint #537484, filed 1998-06
Buying note. This is an old model year, so condition and service history matter more than the complaint list: have a mechanic inspect the transmission, rear suspension and under-hood wiring before purchase, and confirm the air bag system passes a diagnostic check.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 31 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 72 consumer complaints for the 1993 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 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 12 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Suspension14 19%
- Air bags11 15%
- Engine cooling11 15%
- Electrical system10 14%
- Brakes4 5.6%
- Steering4 5.6%
- Vehicle speed control4 5.6%
- Exterior lighting3 4.2%
- Equipment2 2.8%
Also reported: Other or unknown (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Wheels (2), Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving the axle to the transmission just broke the owner did not drive over a pot hole or hit a bump, as she started to slow down she noticed it.”
NHTSA complaint #980587, filed 1996-03Suspension: “While driving the vehicle there is a rattling sound coming from the rear wheels. When the vehicle was checked by the dealership, the torsion bar was found to be unwelded. The problem has not been corrected. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #848899, filed 1999-09Air bags: “Vehicle was involved in a direct frontal collision. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy, resulting in minor injuries. Mechanic informed owner that vehicle had no airbag sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #874439, filed 2000-11Engine cooling: “Repeated repairsmade on these problems. Dealer informed of service bulletins and unresponsive to repeated complaints of problems,with this car,the belt had been replaced at least four times along with pulleys and water pumps,when informed of loss of problem I was told there wasn't any. After last repair the car lost power at least 5 times while turning and while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #718098, filed 2000-01Mileage 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 80,000 and 100,000 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 1993 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 1993 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 | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Acclaim FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Acclaim FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Engine cooling. Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
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 1993 Plymouth Acclaim?
Owners of this model year most often describe the car stalling or cutting out without warning, and automatic-transmission trouble such as slipping, delayed engagement or loss of reverse. The issues reported most often: Air bag did not deploy in a frontal impact; Engine stalls or cuts out without warning; Transmission slips, hunts or loses gears.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim have?
NHTSA recorded 72 consumer complaints for the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 15 complaints (21% of the total), followed by suspension with 14.
Has the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim (Acclaim, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 100,000 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.