VehicleVerdict

1987 Plymouth Sundance problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 1987 Plymouth Sundance — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Sundance years?

Sundance NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted70 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 12 complaints1988: 45 complaints1989: 51 complaints1990: 59 complaints1991: 32 complaints1992: 69 complaints1993: 67 complaints1994: 70 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 0 complaints1998: 1 complaints
Sundance NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sundance years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Plymouth Sundance problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System325%
Seat Belts217%
Engine217%
Body & Structure217%
Lighting18%
Fuel System18%
Speed Control18%

Does the 1987 Plymouth Sundance have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

88V105000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 1988 · 580,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 26, 2000 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 23, 1999

“THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 18, 2003 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING, THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, THE CONSUMER HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND LIFT THE ACCELERATOR WITH HIS TOE IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control

1987 Plymouth Sundance — common questions

Is the 1987 Plymouth Sundance reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1987 Sundance problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (3 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints).

Does the 1987 Plymouth Sundance have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Plymouth Sundance. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Plymouth Sundance under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Plymouth Sundance years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sundance years to avoid are 1994, 1992, 1993, 1990, 1989. The cleanest record among Sundance years belongs to 1996.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.