1990 Plymouth Laser: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 1995
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cracks developed in tire after only 6000 miles of use and dealer would not refund for faulty product.( dot number: e4 027269 tire size: 205/55 r16 )”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2000
“Timing belt cut off. Complete power shut off in the middle of highway at a 65 miles/ hour zone, including steering. Extremely dangerous situation almost resulting in the injury and death of the driver and other vehicle drivers on highway. There was no previous warning although belt was changed at dealership 35,000 miles ago. Manufacturer suggests changing timing belt every 60,000 miles or more.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2000
“Recall 95v103.003/active restraints belt buckeles: recall notice received and consumer been trying to get dealer to honor it since dec/1998. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine and timing belt failed causing vehicle to stall while stopped, upon service dealer found 4 broken valves, one of which was lodged into head, holes in 1 piston, scarred cylinder block. *et”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 1999
“Seat belt system malfunctions in which the 3point seat belt will not come out of the seatb elt housing, makes the seat belts inoperable in event of an accident there is no protection for the consumer. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 1997
“Under headlight, wiring harness "pop ups" has worn out, resulting in vehicle fire in area behind headlights. Please describe details. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 1996
“Head lamp doors do not go up when you select lights on..also sometimes when they are up and on they do not go down, when lights are turned off.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 1996
“The gear is threaded in the same direction as the shaft ,and has the ablity to come off, and damage the engine enough to need replacement. Tt”Owner report · Power Train · May 1995
“Engine: motor on car eats timing belt on vehicle. Driving on freeway and vehicle stopped ,loss of all power. Timing belt had 30,000 miles. There was a national recall in 1993, had new engine and timing belt put on. The problem is still an existing one. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1995
“Regarding the headlights we had problems with the wiring harness more then once. Regarding the passenger side door window I was told by a body shop man that a peice was broken inside the door assembly I took the car to the dealer and because it was about 200 miles pas the 12,000 mile warranty they refused to fix it. The window will not roll up when its down. Regarding the defrosting systems and air conditioner the coil in the front rotted out and now the air doesnt work also the defroster doesnt defrost the windows very well and the rear defroster the piece fell off.”Owner report · Equipment · Nov 1990
Recalls - 4 campaigns
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.
Remedy: REPLACE MALE HINGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO INCREASE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER RETENTION ABILITY.
DILUTED PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGES PRIOR TO WINDSHIELD GLASS INSTALLATION WHICH WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.
Remedy: REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.
WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLAMPS MAY BREAK DUE TO THE STRESS CREATED BY THE HEADLAMP POP UP DEVICES.
Remedy: HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS ROUTING WILL BE MODIFIED AND DAMAGED WIRES REPAIRED.
How other years compare
Check your exact Laser by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Plymouth Laser reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Plymouth Laser. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1990 Plymouth Laser have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:buckle assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.