1987 Plymouth Sundance Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 148,000miles, 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
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and seat belts (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 148,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign 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.
- Electrical system3 25%
- Engine cooling2 17%
- Seat belts2 17%
- Body and structure2 17%
- Exterior lighting1 8.3%
- Fuel system1 8.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 8.3%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Driving when it acted like it was running out of gas no power, went from 35 to 20 MPH then started smoking as I pulled into the parking lot. Went to get help but no one was at work, men next door noticed smoke and ran over with fire extinguisher. The hood latch would not release. Police dept responded and tired to extinguished but could not get into the engine compartment. Fire shorted all wiring. Car wiring was totally destroyed and car was totaled. Second engine compartment fire due to wiring harness failure. Last failure was on april 1991.”
NHTSA complaint #718389, filed 2000-02Engine cooling: “The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The hood blew open because it was so hot. The vehicle was taken to the dealer due to a rebuilt motor that kept running hot and stopping. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer 15 times and the dealer stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle still wasn't fixed and was unable to be used. The consumer requested a refund for the repair or a new vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10022014, filed 2003-06, 148,000 milesBody and structure: “Light bulb under automatic gear selector console assembly was no longer functioning. After purchasing replacement light bulb as per number specified in owners manual, removed gear selector console to discover that bulb had nearly completed melted lens around it. Bulb was encased in melted plastic and smelled burned. Bulbs melting plastic is a recurring problem with this particular vehicle. See also my recent report odi 701361 and also odi 371625 (another person). Burning plastic may cause fire in interior of vehicle and is a safety hazard. …”
NHTSA complaint #702547, filed 1999-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 148,000 and 148,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Plymouth Sundance 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 19 | $4,350 |
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
- 88V105000Jul 1, 1988Fuel system, gasolineCovers: Plymouth Sundance 1985–1987, Dodge 600 1985–1987, Chrysler NEW Yorker 1985–1987 +8 more
Fuel leakage may occur in low ambient temperature operation at connections of an engine compartment fuel supply hose to the pressure regulator and to the fuel rail.
Recall details for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance.
Other model years of the Plymouth Sundance
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 59 | 121,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 60 | 53,500 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 49 | 116,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 30 | — | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 36 | — | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 33 | 99,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 27 | — | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 12 | 148,000 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
All Plymouth Sundance model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Plymouth Sundance have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Plymouth Sundance is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1987 Plymouth Sundance 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 1987 Plymouth Sundance get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Plymouth Sundance (Sundance, 2.2L 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 1987 Plymouth Sundance reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 148,000 miles and the middle half falls between 148,000 and 148,000 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. 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.