Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 120 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Acclaim year — the 1991 model ranks #1 of 9 Acclaim years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (15), suspension (14), and transmission (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
120
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
3
Investigations
17
Crash-involved
5
Fires reported
20
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 15 | 13% | — flat |
| Transmission | 14 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 14 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 13 | 11% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 12 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 12 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 7 | 6% | new |
| Lighting | 6 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 5 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 5 | 4% | new |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 3 | 3% | — flat |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Other | 1 | 1% | — flat |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
Consequence
LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy
REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.
Defect
THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Consequence
AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
Remedy
REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.
Defect
FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“VEHICLE WAS STOLEN, TRAVELING WET ROAD, APPROX. 40MPH, LOST CONTROL, HIT AND BROKE TELEPHONE POLE, FRONTAL DAMAGE,BENT FRAME, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAR PURCHASED 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO INCIDENT, THIEF FLED SCENE. *AK”
“WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE JERKS. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL GO BACKWARDS, BUT WILL NOT GO FORWARDS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. THE DEALER SAID IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY TO REPLACE IT A 3RD TIME, AND STATED THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD…”
“VEHICLE SEEMS TO DOWNSHIFT, OR NOT GET ENOUGH GAS, DRIVING IT WILL GO INTO LOWER GEAR, ENGINE WILL REV, ODOMETER GOES OVER 5, IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM SHUTTING OFF, I DRIVE IT IN LOWER GEAR. FIRST STARTED AFTER DRIVING APP. 50 MILES, NOW IT WON'T STAY RUNNING. HAVE REPLACED THE COIL, DID NOT HELP*AK”
“1991 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON IR 76 IN THE RIGHT LANE, WHEN THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ONTO THE RIGHT BERM BECAUSE OF ENGINE TROUBLE, WHICH THE VEHICLE THEN IGNITED INTO FLAMES AND WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE FIRE MAY HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE…”
“WHILE DRIVING, MADE ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN, SUDDENLY SURGED THEN RACED OVER POWERING BRAKE, RESULT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. TT”
NHTSA data argues against it: 120 complaints put the 1991 model at #1 of 9 Acclaim years. It is one of the Acclaim years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (15 complaints), suspension (14 complaints), transmission (14 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Plymouth Acclaim. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Acclaim years to avoid are 1991. The cleanest record among Acclaim years belongs to 1996.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.