Plymouth LASER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
60 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
126,502 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 to 1995 model years. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 60 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 15.0% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 4; Seat Belts: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Interior Lighting: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 51 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 16; 1996: 13; 2000: 12; 2001: 4; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10185952 · 2007-03-22 (March 22, 2007)
I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSFER CASE ON MY 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER. I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE OWNED IT FOR SIX YEARS. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THSI RECALL ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I HAVE REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES ALREADY AND THE FIRST TIME IT BLEW UP THE SYMPTOMS SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL. IN THE SUMMER OF 2002 MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND AN INTERNAL PART OF IT BLEW A HOLE THROUGH MY TRANSMISSION AND THE PART FEEL ON THE ROADWAY LEAVING ME STRANDED. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRSYLER ABOUT THIS AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10185952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10216854 · 2008-02-04 (February 4, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC HAVE NOT YET INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V069002 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,502. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 126,502 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484339 · 1995-07-26 (July 26, 1995)
REAR BRAKE FAILURE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976604 · 1995-12-14 (December 14, 1995)
BRAKES ARE VERY LOUD. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 6900715 · 1996-07-30 (July 30, 1996)
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TRUN THE VEHICLE STALLS/HESITATES/AND STUMBLES. **AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 6900715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723721 · 2000-06-07 (June 7, 2000)
THE CAR KEPT STALLING EVERY TIME I TRIED TO TURN IT ON. IT WOULD NOT IDLE, BUT WOULD RUN IF YOU CONTINUALLY GAVE IT GAS. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THEY CLEANED THE STARTER PLATE, WHICH HELPED FOR A DAY, BUT THE CAR HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. IT IS WORST WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. THE CAR HAS ALSO STARTED TICKING SINCE THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED, BUT THE CAR CAR HAS HAD ALL NEW BELTS AND A NEW TENSIONER FOR THE TIMING BELT PUT INTO IT, PLUS THE EXHAUST HAS BEEN CHECKED AN NO LEAKS HAVE BEEN FOUND. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984141 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
UNDER HEADLIGHT, WIRING HARNESS "POP UPS" HAS WORN OUT, RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE IN AREA BEHIND HEADLIGHTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732380 · 2000-09-24 (September 24, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735458 · 2000-10-30 (October 30, 2000)
TRANSMISSION JUMPING WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK AT 60K MILES...PAINT FAILED AT 41K MILES AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED BY DEALER 2 OR 3 TIMES(STILL A MESS) ...COMPUTER FAILED AROUND 70K MILES(ALONG WITH A FUEL INJECTOR AND A SENSOR)....HATCHBACK WOULDN'T STAY UP AT ABOUT 40K-60K MILES...... MILES ARE ESTIMATED TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735458 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
1987: 1; 1990: 4; 1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 0