Model year guide

1989 Plymouth Acclaim

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Plymouth Acclaim is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1989 Plymouth Acclaim — representative photo
Representative photo

1989 Plymouth Acclaim at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints45
Combined19–24 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Plymouth Acclaim recalls 2

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #08E033000 · 14/04/2008

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.

Fix: 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #89V237000 · 27/12/1989

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1989 Plymouth Acclaim common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1989 Plymouth Acclaim MPG & running costs

Combined19–24 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,425
EPA size classMidsize Cars
Transmission3 options
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,125 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1989 Plymouth Acclaim costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,125
Fuel only$17,125
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Engine

ON VEHICLES WITH 2.2 LITRE OR 2.5 LITRE EFI(NON-TURBO) ENGINE, THE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY LEAK OIL CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: VALVE COVER GASKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED COVER AND RTV SEALANT APPLIED IN PLACE OF THE GASKET.

Transport Canada #1989178 · Dec 1989

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Plymouth Acclaim

The Plymouth Acclaim is a four-door, front-engine, front-drive mid-size sedan manufactured and marketed for 1989–1995 model years, replacing Plymouth's E-body Caravelle and the K-body Reliant. Chrysler marketed badge engineered AA-body variants for its Dodge and Chrysler brands, the Dodge Spirit, the Chrysler LeBaron sedan, and the export-market Chrysler Saratoga. The Acclaim was replaced by the Plymouth Breeze in 1996.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1989 Plymouth Acclaim vehicles on record

1989 Plymouth Acclaim 1989 Plymouth Acclaim1P3BA46J2KF499431

Other Plymouth Acclaim model years

1993 1991 1990

1989 Plymouth Acclaim — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim?

Across all 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, power train, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Plymouth Acclaim get?

The 1989 Plymouth Acclaim has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.