1989 Plymouth Sundance Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- 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 1989 Plymouth Sundance (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1989 Plymouth Sundance. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seat belts (8) and electrical system (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 99,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.
- Engine cooling10 30%
- Seat belts8 24%
- Electrical system4 12%
- Body and structure4 12%
- Equipment3 9.1%
- Other or unknown3 9.1%
- Seats2 6.1%
- Suspension2 6.1%
- Vehicle speed control2 6.1%
Also reported: Brakes (1), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Ongoing problem with lack of acceleration and hesitation while drving at 35 MPH or more. Vehicle been in/out of independent and dealer shops on several occasions, and problem is still occurring.”
NHTSA complaint #861100, filed 2000-04Seat belts: “We were notified of a recall involving the automatic safety belt assembly. We took the vehicle to the dealer and were given a small tube of lubricant to use on the tracks. Later, the driver's side shoulder harness failed and it was necessary to manually move it to the point at which it would normally be when the seat was occupied and the shoulder belt was in use. We have been operating this belt in this manual manner for over four years. The dealer claimed that they did not have to replace the parts involved if the vehicle had exceeded its economic life . …”
NHTSA complaint #712535, filed 1999-09Electrical system: “Problem: car shuts off while driving down the road;acts like the ignition is suddenly interrupted. Will start back up in a minute or less. Would like to know cause or what to look for. Help!”
NHTSA complaint #714873, filed 1999-11Mileage 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 99,000 and 99,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Sundance FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Sundance Convertible FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sundance Convertible FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sundance Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sundance Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sundance Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 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
- 92V053000Apr 13, 1992Seat beltsCovers: Plymouth Sundance 1988–1989, Dodge Shadow 1988–1989
The automatic shoulder restraint systems can malfunction and become inoperative.
- 89V237000Dec 27, 1989Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: Plymouth Sundance 1989–1990, 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 Sundance → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Plymouth Sundance have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1989 Plymouth Sundance as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Plymouth Sundance is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seat belts with 8.
Has the 1989 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 1989 Plymouth Sundance get?
The EPA rates the 1989 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Plymouth Sundance reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 99,000 miles and the middle half falls between 99,000 and 99,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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.