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1986 Plymouth ReliantProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 1986 Plymouth Reliant, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints41 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 7, 2000. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Plymouth Reliant has problems

4 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
Engine and engine cooling20
Fuel system, gasoline11
Electrical system10
Steering10
Structure10
Vehicle speed control10
Power train10

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

1 recall

1986 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.

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

1986 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Plymouth Reliant, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT ATTACHMENT FAILUREC88001 · closed Oct 30, 1989
    No recall
  2. SEAT ATTACHMENTEA88008 · closed May 18, 1988
    Led to recall 88V-061
  3. TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILUREEA91010 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Reliant owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. *AK ALL POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS FAIL, SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL RESTART RIGHT AWAY, MORE OFTEN IN SEVERAL HOURS, RECENTLY IT WOULD NOT START FOR DAYS AFTER IT WOULD STALL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, COMPUTER POWER MODULE, AND COMPUTER LOGIC MODULE HAVE…
Complaint 983337 · Apr 23, 1996

Own a 1986 Reliant?

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