1987 Plymouth Reliant Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Plymouth Reliant (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1987 Plymouth Reliant. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and brakes (1). NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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 cooling4 40%
- Body and structure2 20%
- Brakes1 10%
- Seat belts1 10%
- Seats1 10%
- Steering1 10%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “This car intermitently stalls it sometimes starts right up other times it takes 15 min. To restart parts that have been changed logic module computer , fuel injecter, map senser, ignition wires and spark plugs electric fuel pump and shutoff relay this car was taken to a chrysler dealer and no problem could be found so iam wondering if there were any recall items for this car I spending too much money on this car with out finding a solution to the problem”
NHTSA complaint #730683, filed 2000-09Body and structure: “The k-frame on the passenger side broke bringing the car to a halt. The mechanic who repaired it said this is a common fault with the k-cars. He also said I was very lucky I was going very slow. He said if it had busted on the interstate while going 60 MPH, there could have been a very serious accident. Has there ever been a recall on the k-cars? Even though it has been repaired, I'll be thinking about what the mechanic said each time I'm in the car.”
NHTSA complaint #703998, filed 1999-03Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Plymouth Reliant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Reliant Wagon FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Reliant Wagon FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Reliant Wagon FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
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 1987 Plymouth Reliant 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
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Plymouth Reliant.
Other model years of the Plymouth Reliant
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 7 | 42,320 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 16 | — | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 10 | — | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Plymouth Reliant model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Plymouth Reliant have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1987 Plymouth Reliant as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Plymouth Reliant is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.
Has the 1987 Plymouth Reliant 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 1987 Plymouth Reliant get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Plymouth Reliant (Reliant, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 20 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.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.