Model year guide

1990 Plymouth Laser

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Plymouth Laser is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.

1990 Plymouth Laser — representative photo
Representative photo

1990 Plymouth Laser at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints30
Combined21–24 mpg

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

1990 Plymouth Laser recalls 4

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #95V103003 · 24/05/1995

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.

Fix: 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 SU…

Visibility:windshield NHTSA Campaign #90V106001 · 01/06/1990

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.

Fix: REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.

Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly NHTSA Campaign #90V056001 · 21/03/1990

OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.

Fix: REPLACE MALE HINGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO INCREASE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER RETENTION ABILITY.

Electrical System:wiring NHTSA Campaign #89V128000 · 31/07/1989

WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLAMPS MAY BREAK DUE TO THE STRESS CREATED BY THE HEADLAMP POP UP DEVICES.

Fix: HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS ROUTING WILL BE MODIFIED AND DAMAGED WIRES REPAIRED.

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.

1990 Plymouth Laser common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 30 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.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1990 Plymouth Laser safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1990 Plymouth Laser 2-DR. Hatchback. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1990 Plymouth Laser MPG & running costs

Combined21–24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,140
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume81 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,700 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 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 1990 Plymouth Laser costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,700
Fuel only$15,700
Per mile$0.21

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.

Dimensions & weight

Length
170.5 in
Width
66.5 in
Height
51.6 in
Wheelbase
97.2 in
Curb weight
2,524 lb
Front track
57.9 in
Rear track
57.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 Plymouth Laser. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP Closed

NHTSA #EA98002 · Wheels · opened Jan 1998 · closed Apr 1998

HOOD FLY-UP Closed

NHTSA #PE94074 · Structure · opened Oct 1994 · closed Feb 1995

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 8

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

Bulletin 0800600REV · Electrical System · Dec 2000

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Bulletin 2300800B · Seats · Nov 2000

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Bulletin 230800 · Seats · Mar 2000

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

Bulletin 080600 · Electrical System · Feb 2000

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

Bulletin 233599REVA · Structure · Oct 1999

INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Bulletin 233599 · Seats · Sep 1999

AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *YC

Bulletin 9709169738A · Air Bags · Sep 1997

DOOR GLASS ADJUSTMENT. *TW

Bulletin 232293 · Visibility · Apr 1993

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the LASER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Plymouth Laser

The Plymouth Laser is a two-door 2+2 sports coupe sold by Plymouth from 1989 until 1994. The Laser and its siblings, the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle Talon, were the first vehicles produced under the newly-formed Diamond-Star Motors, a joint venture between the Chrysler Corporation and the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

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

1990 Plymouth Laser vehicles on record

1990 Plymouth Laser 1990 Plymouth Laser4P3CS44R7LE097064 1990 Plymouth Laser 1990 Plymouth Laser4P3CS44U7LE103322 1990 Plymouth Laser 1990 Plymouth Laser4P3CS34T1LE012242 1990 Plymouth Laser 1990 Plymouth Laser4P3CS44R3LE030736 1990 Plymouth Laser 1990 Plymouth Laser4P3CS44U3LE070173 1990 Plymouth Laser 1990 Plymouth Laser4P3BS34T8LE053365 1990 Plymouth Laser 1990 Plymouth Laser4P3CS44T0LE002372

Other Plymouth Laser model years

1992 1991

1990 Plymouth Laser — frequently asked questions

Does the 1990 Plymouth Laser have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1990 Plymouth Laser. 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 1990 Plymouth Laser?

Across all 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, seat belts, structure.

What is the 1990 Plymouth Laser safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1990 Plymouth Laser crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1990 Plymouth Laser get?

The 1990 Plymouth Laser has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

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