1994 Plymouth Sundance Problems
- Complaints
- 59filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 121,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Plymouth Sundance (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe interior hardware problems rather than drivetrain failures: front seatbacks that will not stay locked upright, seat belts that unlatch or retract poorly, and windows that leave their tracks. Many complaints involve older, high-mileage cars, and several owners mention that a dealer either declined the work or said the condition was normal. Braking, cooling and electrical complaints are scattered, usually single reports rather than a shared pattern.
- Seats
Front seatback will not stay locked upright
- 5 complaints (8%)
- typically at 6.1 yrs old
- filed 1997–2001
Owners describe the driver or passenger seatback releasing and folding forward on its own, sometimes while driving, and in one case the seat dropping backward when someone got in. Some reports involve a broken lower seatback attaching bolt; others describe the seat simply not staying locked after a repair. Several owners say the dealer treated the movement as normal or declined to inspect the passenger seat. Reported across the sample from the late 1990s into the early 2000s, mostly on older cars without stated mileage.
What to check: Push each front seatback rearward and try to fold it forward while latched; it should lock firmly in the upright position. Ask whether the seat bolt recall work was done on both seats, and keep the receipt.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Reporting a recall failure; after dealer replacing seatback bolt consumer noticed seat would fall forward freely. Dealer notified and informed consumer that was normal. Can NHTSA provide additional information or help in this matter. Checked my owner manual and learned that was not normal, and would like to know why dealer is refusing to correct the problem correctly.”
NHTSA complaint #848458, filed 1999-09“The front seatbacks failed to remain locked in place. Would recline forward, pushing driver/passenger towards steering wheel/dashboard. Took vehicle to dealer , and mechanic refused to look at passenger's seatback. Driver's seatback was under recall and would repair it. The failure of front seat back was due to poor design.”
NHTSA complaint #884397, filed 2001-03 - Electrical system
Engine cut-out, stalling and electrical smoke
Mentioned in 4 of 27 sampled complaints
Owners describe the engine shutting off and refusing to restart while driving, with the dealer reseating a computer chip, running diagnostics and finding nothing, after which the stall returned. Other reports describe smoke and burning from the rear of the car near the speakers and light bulbs that melt repeatedly, with the dealer unable to identify a cause. Mostly reported on cars past 100,000 miles, with repeat episodes over weeks to months.
What to check: Ask for any history of stalling or electrical repairs, inspect rear speaker and lamp wiring for scorched or melted insulation, and have the charging system and grounds checked.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle shut off, and will not restart while driving. Dealership has unplugged and replugged the computer chip, ran a diagnostic test, and checked the sensors, every thing was okay. A month later and on 3 separate occasions the failure recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10099674, filed 2004-11, 121,000 miles“Car started burning, pouring smoke into the car from every vent and opening possible, back left window panel actually melted from the inside, possible due to ashes getting between the window panels.”
NHTSA complaint #511195, filed 1998-06
Buying note. These are old, high-mileage cars, so the state of the seats, belts, brakes and wiring matters more than the model's reputation. Inspect the seatback latches and every seat belt yourself, and ask for records of any recall work or electrical repairs before deciding.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 27 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 1994 Plymouth Sundance. 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 121,000 miles. Of all complaints, 12 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
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.
- Seats7 12%
- Air bags6 10%
- Brakes6 10%
- Engine cooling6 10%
- Body and structure5 8.5%
- Suspension5 8.5%
- Electrical system4 6.8%
- Fuel system4 6.8%
- Seat belts4 6.8%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (4), Vehicle speed control (3), Other or unknown (2), Steering (2), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Seats: “The vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in recall # 99 v 212 000, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10018265, filed 2003-05Air bags: “Consumer was involved in 20 MPH rear end collision in which the driver's air bag deployed. Please give any further details. 826514 dup 0f 825398; posted on 09-07-1999.”
NHTSA complaint #825398, filed 1998-07Brakes: “Vehicle was parked, emergency brakes on, unoccupied approximately 3 minutes, emergency brakes released on their own, vehicle rolled backwards down incline, hit a tree, owner engaged brakes again after moving vehicle, brakes released again on their own.”
NHTSA complaint #808060, filed 1997-01Mileage 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 121,000 and 121,000 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 1994 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/Duster FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sundance/Duster FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sundance/Duster FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sundance/Duster FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sundance/Duster FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Sundance/Duster FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
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
- 99V212000Aug 6, 1999Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCovers: Plymouth Sundance 1991–1994, Dodge Shadow 1991–1994
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver seat can fail and separate.
Recall details for the 1994 Plymouth Sundance → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Engine cooling. Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
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
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Plymouth Sundance?
Owners of this model year most often describe interior hardware problems rather than drivetrain failures: front seatbacks that will not stay locked upright, seat belts that unlatch or retract poorly, and windows that leave their tracks. The issues reported most often: Front seatback will not stay locked upright; Engine cut-out, stalling and electrical smoke.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1994 Plymouth Sundance have?
NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 1994 Plymouth Sundance as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1994 Plymouth Sundance is reported most often?
Seats is named most often, in 7 complaints (12% of the total), followed by air bags with 6.
Has the 1994 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 1994 Plymouth Sundance get?
The EPA rates the 1994 Plymouth Sundance (Sundance/Duster, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 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 1994 Plymouth Sundance reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 121,000 miles and the middle half falls between 121,000 and 121,000 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.