1988 Plymouth Sundance Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Plymouth Sundance (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1988 Plymouth Sundance. The part named most often is seat belts, with 10 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and fuel system (4). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the retractor filed under the same part.
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.
- Seat belts10 37%
- Engine cooling6 22%
- Fuel system4 15%
- Steering3 11%
- Brakes2 7.4%
- Seats2 7.4%
- Electrical system1 3.7%
- Equipment1 3.7%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Rear seat belt isn't working properly, and when trying to pull the seat belt out of the retractor, the seat belt will freeze. Consumer can't pull the seat belt out.”
NHTSA complaint #845194, filed 1999-08Fuel system: “I came home from work on the 20th of november and when I pulled into my drive way my car wen't up in flames from what the fire department said was a as leak that was leaking from my fuel injecter onto my manifold. My car was totaled from this fire. Is there anything I can do about this.”
NHTSA complaint #736883, filed 2000-11Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 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 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
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
- 92V053000Apr 13, 1992Seat beltsCovers: Plymouth Sundance 1988–1989, Dodge Shadow 1988–1989
The automatic shoulder restraint systems can malfunction and become inoperative.
- 88V129000Aug 1, 1988Seat belts › Front › RetractorCovers: Plymouth Sundance 1988, Dodge Shadow 1988
Front passenger seat lap belt retractor, which incorporates a child seat belt locking feature, may malfunction.
Recall details for the 1988 Plymouth Sundance → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA89001LOGIC MODULEClosed · Oct 5, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 1988 Plymouth Sundance have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1988 Plymouth Sundance as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Plymouth Sundance is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 10 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.
Has the 1988 Plymouth Sundance been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Plymouth Sundance get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Plymouth Sundance (Sundance, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 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 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.