Model year record

1994 Plymouth Laser recalls & problems

The 1994 Plymouth Laser has 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints4filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainApr 7, 1998

Automatic transmission

Recall 98V06900242,214 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Plymouth Laser 2-DR. Hatchback

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Laser

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Laser

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Laser

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Laser

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Laser

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Laser

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Laser

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Laser

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	2	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition	1	0	0	—
Power trainClutch assembly	1	1	2	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train › Clutch assemblyFire2 injuries
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HOUSING EXPLODED, BLOWING TRANSMISSION AWAY FROM ENGINE, AND CAUSING AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT IT APPEARS THAT THE BOLTS CAME LOOSE OR BROKE IN THE PRESSURE PLATE, CHRYSLER IS STATING THAT ALL THE FAILURES ARE NOT THEIR PROBLEMS, TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. *SLC
Feb 11, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED, THERE IS A MITSUBISHI ENGINE IN THIS CAR AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE 1994 LASERS, ECLIPSES OR TALONS HAVE BLOWN THE VALVES IN THEIR ENGINES AS WELL. I FEEL THIS IS CHEAPLY PUT TOGETHER AND I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER CAR FROM PLYMOUTH. IN THE 1 YEAR AND 9 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE PUT $4000.00 IN IT FOR ENGINE REPAIRS.
Mar 1, 1999
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
STREAKS SEEMS TO APPEAR ON FRONT WINDSHIELD DURING RAINY WEATHER; WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT CLEAR WINDSHIELD; CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY; HAZARDOUS DRIVING. TT
Nov 5, 1994
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
Jun 1, 1994

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONClosed
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR…
DP03002 · opened May 7, 2003 · closed Jul 22, 2003
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUPClosedLed to recall 98V069001
EA98002 · opened Jan 30, 1998 · closed Apr 30, 1998
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUPClosed
ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.
PE97040 · opened Sep 4, 1997 · closed Jan 30, 1998