1990-1995 Plymouth Acclaim: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1995 Plymouth Acclaim and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Passenger and cargo room
- Antilock brakes (optional)
- Acceleration (V6)
Cons
- Noise
- Ride
- Automatic-transmission performance
Vehicle Highlights
Introduced in 1989, using many of the old K-car chassis components, Chrysler began offering a trio of new cars with similar looks. The Acclaim was nearly identical to the Dodge Spirit and Chrysler LeBaron sedan, but was the lowest-priced model of the three. Acclaim was available in base, LE, and LX trim, with base and LE models provided with Chrysler's 100-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic. Optional for the two lower models was a 150-horsepower turbocharged version of the same engine, paired with the same two transmissions. Available for the LX model was a 141-horsepower 3.0-liter V6, paired with a 4-speed automatic. For 1990, a driver-side airbag became standard and the 3.0-liter V6 was an across-the-board option.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Plymouth Acclaim 3.0-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1995 Plymouth Acclaim. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1995 Plymouth Acclaim.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Plymouth Acclaim:
Plymouth's compact front-drive sedan gains optional antilock brakes and loses its turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine.
1992 Plymouth Acclaim:
The Acclaim lineup has been trimmed from three models down to one, and the optional 3.0-liter V6 can be ordered with a low-cost 3-speed automatic.
1993 Plymouth Acclaim:
Acclaim gets a new grille, with a flush pentastar hood ornament. All glass is tinted, the exhaust system goes stainless steel, and the compact disc player is a new option.
1994 Plymouth Acclaim:
Acclaim models gain a motorized shoulder belt for the front passenger, as one of the few changes made to the 1993 models.
1995 Plymouth Acclaim:
The 4-speed automatic and antilock brakes are cut from the option list in anticipation of the arrival of a new compact sedan.
Our road test for the 1990-1995 Plymouth Acclaim includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1995 Plymouth Acclaim and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1995 Plymouth Acclaim is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
The Acclaim is best with the V6, which delivers ample power, smoothly and quietly. However, the 4-speed automatic transmission had sluggish, sloppy shift action in our tests of 1990 models. The base 2.5-liter is adequate with automatic transmission; the easy-shifting 5-speed manual coaxes a little more performance out of this engine. Road noise is prominent at highway speeds. The base engine is too loud, even while cruising. Because the suspension does not absorb bumps well, an Acclaim bangs and bounds over rough pavement. Acclaim's airy, pleasant interior is large enough for four adults to spread out and not feel cramped. Split folding rear seatbacks that flop down for extra cargo room are optional on the base model and standard on the others. The large trunk has a flat floor and a low liftover for easy loading. Acclaim also scored points for its standard airbag.
Value for the Money
If you're a budget-minded shopper in the market for a no-nonsense family compact, be sure to put the Acclaim on your list of must-see models.
If you're a budget-minded shopper in the market for a no-nonsense family compact, be sure to put the Acclaim on your list of must-see models.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Plymouth Acclaim 3.0-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Plymouth Acclaim includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Plymouth Acclaim .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
If the air conditioner gradually stops cooling and/or the air flow from the vents decreases, the computer (PCM) may not be sending a signal to the compressor-clutch relay to cycle off, which causes the A/C evaporator to freeze up. (1991-95)
Alternator belt:
Deep snow could knock the serpentine belt off the pulleys of 3.0-liter engines. Installing a shield will remedy the problem. (1991-95)
Automatic transmission:
If the transmission shudders under light to moderate acceleration, the transmission front pump could be leaking due to a worn bushing. (1990-95)
Automatic transmission:
41TE or 42LE automatic transaxles could take several seconds to engage at startup because of a problem with the valve body. (1993-95)
Automatic transmission:
Bad seals in the transmission lead to premature friction-component wear, which causes shudder when starting from a stop, a bump when coasting to a stop, and slipping between gears. (1993-95)
Engine mounts:
The motor mount on the left side of the engine tends to break. (1992-93)
Oil consumption and exhaust smoke:
High oil consumption and smoke from the exhaust at idle and deceleration on 3.0-liter engines is caused by exhaust-valve guides that slide out of the heads. (1990-93)
Rough idle:
2.2- or 2.5-liter engines may idle rough or stumble when first started unless a revised intake manifold (with an "X" cast into the number 1 runner) was installed (1992), or a revised computer (PCM) was installed (1992-93), or the computer was reprogrammed (1994).
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $415 |
| Alternator | $315 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $905 |
| Brakes | $250 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $660 |
| Exhaust System | $320 |
| Radiator | $335 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $340 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $290 |
Our price chart for this generation Plymouth Acclaim details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1995 | |||
| Acclaim | $1,500-1,800 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
| 1994 | |||
| Acclaim | $1,400-1,700 | $900-1,100 | $200 |
| 1993 | |||
| Acclaim | $1,300-1,600 | $800-1,000 | $200 |
| 1992 | |||
| Acclaim | $1,200-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1991 | |||
| Acclaim | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1990 | |||
| Acclaim | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Plymouth Acclaim include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 103.5 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 181.2 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 68.1 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2784 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 14.4 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 16.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 6 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.4 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.9 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.9 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 38.3 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Chrysler's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder comes standard on the Acclaim, paired with either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic. It produces 100 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 135 pound-feet of torque at 2800 rpm. The optional engine for the two lower models in 1989 was a turbocharged version of the same 2.5-liter engine, paired with the same two transmissions. Output from the turbocharged engine is 150 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 180 pound-feet of torque at 2000 rpm. Available for the LX model (1989-90) is Mitsubishi's 3.0-liter V6, paired with a 4-speed automatic. It delivers 141 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 171 pound-feet of torque at 2000 rpm. Chrysler dropped the turbocharged engine from the option list in 1991 and added the low-cost 3-speed automatic to the 3.0-liter Mitsubishi engine for 1992. For a couple of years (1993-94), Chrysler offered Acclaims equipped with 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engines adapted to run on unleaded gasoline or a blend of gas and methanol, containing up to 85-percent methanol. Using the "M85" blended fuel, the engine produces 106 horsepower and delivers 145 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rpm, compared to only 135 pound-feet for the standard gas version. The flex-fuel engine disappears in 1995, along with the 4-speed automatic transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 141-142 | 171 | 3-speed automatic: 20/27 4-speed automatic: 21/29 |
3-speed automatic: -- 4-speed automatic: 23.7 |
| ohc I4 | 2.5 / 153 | 100 | 135 | 5-speed manual: 25/32 3-speed automatic: 23/27 |
5-speed manual: 25.3 3-speed automatic: 22.9 |
| Turbocharged ohc I4 | 2.5 / 153 | 150 | 180 | 5-speed manual: 21/29 3-speed automatic: 19/23 |
5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Plymouth Acclaim include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1995 Acclaim |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 3 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1995 Plymouth Acclaim directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990:
Oil may leak from engine valve-cover gasket.
1991:
Both airbag-system front-impact sensors may not be secured to mounting brackets, so airbag would not deploy.
1991:
Front disc-brake-caliper guide-pin bolts may not be adequately tightened and could loosen.
1991:
Front-outboard seatbelt may become difficult to latch; latch may open in sudden stop or accident.
1992:
Zinc plating of some upper steering-column shaft-coupling bolts caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.
1994:
Seatbelt assembly on small number of cars may fail in accident, increasing risk of injury.
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