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1981 Plymouth ReliantProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1981 Plymouth Reliant, most often about the equipment. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Equipment

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 7, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Plymouth Reliant has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Equipment10
Structure11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1981 Plymouth Reliant recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Control arm: lower arm

Recall 89V-052 · Mar 29, 1989 · 500,000 vehicles

Risk. CONTROL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, ADVERSELYAFFECTING DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Plymouth.

Best & worst years

1981 vs. every other Reliant year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Reliant median. How we score

'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1981 Plymouth Reliant, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FRAME AND CHASSIS COMPONENTSDP86010 · closed Aug 20, 1986
    No recall
  2. TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILUREEA91010 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE85011 · closed Jul 31, 1985
    Led to recall 84V-147
  4. FRAME CORROSIONPE89093 · closed Mar 29, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-052
In owners' words

What Reliant owners report

Recent equipment complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1981 PLYMOUTH RELIANT K-CAR. CONSUMER STATES ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS PARENTS PURCHASED THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE. BUT, SINCE HE DID MOST OF THE DRIVING, HE ASKED THEM IF HE COULD INSTALL CRUISE CONTROL. HE THEN PURCHASED IT AND INSTALLED IT HIMSELF. THE UNIT RECEIVED…
Complaint 10323176 · Apr 7, 2010

Own a 1981 Reliant?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.