Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 69 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Sundance year — the 1992 model ranks #2 of 13 Sundance years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (10), visibility & wipers (9), and suspension (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
69
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
5
Investigations
8
Crash-involved
4
Fires reported
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 9 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 8 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 7 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 7 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 5 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 4 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 4 | 6% | — flat |
| Other | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 2 | 3% | — flat |
| Steering | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Consequence
IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH BOLT THAT INCLUDES A SELF LOCKING NYLON PATCH.
Defect
THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Consequence
IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH BOLT THAT INCLUDES A SELF LOCKING NYLON PATCH.
Defect
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Consequence
IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
Defect
THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Consequence
FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.
Remedy
REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“A FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, AND ALL WINDOW CLOSED. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK”
“I BOUGHT A NEW PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE IN MAY, 1992. A FEW YEARS LATER THE PAINT CRACKED AND BEGAN TO PEEL OFF ESPECIALLY AFTER A HARD RAIN.I TOOK THE CAR TO D&M CHRYSLER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THE SERVICE DEPT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I THEN TOOK PICTURES OF THE CAR AND SENT A COMPLAINT TO…”
“SUSEPNSION DEFECT ON MY 1992 PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE I WAS TOLD BY THREE MECHANICS THAT THEY ARE ALL DEFECTIVE AND THAT CAR IS NOT SAFE CHRYSLER SAYS THEY HAVE NO SUCH KNOWLEGED OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR CAR”
“WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN OWNER WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE,THE AIR BAG IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SEAT PUSHED THE DRIVER TO THE STEERING WHEEL. MANUFACTURER'S TELEPHONE LINE HAS BEEN BUSY. *AK”
“LEAVING WORK, SMELLED SMOKE, STOPPED & CHECKED IT OUT, CAR FILLED W/SMOKE FROM REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE DEPT. PUT FIRE OUT . *AK *JB”
NHTSA data argues against it: 69 complaints put the 1992 model at #2 of 13 Sundance years. It is one of the Sundance years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (10 complaints), visibility & wipers (9 complaints), suspension (8 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Plymouth Sundance. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.