1989 Plymouth Reliant Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 42,320miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Plymouth Reliant (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1989 Plymouth Reliant. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (2) and brakes (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,320 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, 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.
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 cooling3 43%
- Brakes1 14%
- Tires1 14%
Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 42,320 and 42,320 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
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 Reliant 1989, 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 Reliant → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Plymouth Reliant have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1989 Plymouth Reliant as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Plymouth Reliant is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 2.
Has the 1989 Plymouth Reliant 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 Reliant get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Plymouth Reliant (Reliant, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Plymouth Reliant reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,320 miles and the middle half falls between 42,320 and 42,320 miles; 100% 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.