Transmission slipping and failure
POWER TRAIN
4 NHTSA complaints · 1997-01 → 1997-05
“TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING INTERMITTENTLY”
“TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND CLOSE TO FAILING”
“TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT”
1990 Plymouth Sundance Recalls, Problems & Maintenance
The 1990 Plymouth Sundance carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering suspension and engine. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission slipping and failure.” Plymouth ended in 2001, and everything with the badge is a Chrysler or Dodge underneath. The Voyager is a Caravan, the Neon is a Dodge Neon, the Laser is an Eagle Talon and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Parts are shared and easy to find. Two things decide whether one of these lasts. First, the four-speed automatic in the minivans and Neons requires Chrysler ATF+4 fluid specifically. Generic Dexron will make it shudder and then fail, and this is the most common way these transmissions die. Second, several engines here use a rubber timing belt, including the 3.0 liter Mitsubishi V6 in the minivans, the 2.0 in the Neon, and the turbocharged four in the Laser. On the Laser's engine a snapped belt bends valves. If you cannot document the last belt, treat it as due.
Save this car as:
2 Open Recalls
Source: NHTSASUSPENSION
Campaign #08E033000 · Apr 14, 2008
SUSPENSION
Campaign #08E033000 · Apr 14, 2008
Issue: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Campaign #89V237000 · Dec 27, 1989
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Campaign #89V237000 · Dec 27, 1989
Issue: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
Recall data refreshed Jul 20, 2026.
Known issues & problems for this vehicle
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1990 Plymouth Sundance.
Reported to NHTSA
Valve cover gasket failure and oil leak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3 NHTSA complaints · 1995-07 → 2001-02
“THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET BLOWS OFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF OIL, THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE DESCRIBED IN RECALL 89V-237 BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN”
“VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. (89V-237)”
Key removal without selecting park
POWER TRAIN
2 NHTSA complaints · 1996-12 → 2002-01
“KEYS CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT GEAR BEING IN PARK POSITION, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD/BACKWARDS”
“VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED OUT OF GEAR AND REMOVED KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONDITION CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD INTO A NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY WALL”
Hatch and trunk lid support strut failure
STRUCTURE
2 NHTSA complaints · 1996-03 → 1996-09
“W/HATCHBACK; STRUTS THAT SUPPORT HATCH WHEN UPRIGHT SEEM TO FAIL/WEAKEN WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE 30 DEGREES OR BELOW STRIKING OWNER IN HEAD”
“IN HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS THE TRUNK LID DOES NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION”
Air bag deployment with reported injuries
AIR BAGS
9 NHTSA complaints · 1996-01 → 1998-09
“WAITING AT STOP LIGHT WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON”
“HAD JUST STARTED VEHICLE, BEGAN TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN INJURIES ON FACE AND NECK”
“CONSUMER REAR ENDED A TRUCK AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, THERE WAS A FLAME THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAG, CAUSING THIRD DEGREE BURNS”
Engine compartment fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3 NHTSA complaints · 1995-01 → 1999-04
“CAR WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT”
“WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT”
Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Essential maintenance
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Engine Oil & Filter
Every 3,000 miChrysler specified 3,000 miles under the severe schedule, which is where an engine of this age belongs. Change at least once a year even if the car barely moves. Nothing in this lineup has an oil life monitor, so the interval is on you.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF+4)
Every 30,000 miUse Chrysler ATF+4 and nothing else. The 41TE transaxle, still often called the Ultradrive, is sensitive to fluid friction characteristics in a way most automatics are not. Drain and fill every 30,000 miles. If a shop offers to top it off with universal fluid, decline.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Timing Belt
Every 90,000 miApplies to the 3.0 V6 in the Voyager and Acclaim, the 2.0 in the Neon, and the turbo four in the Laser and Colt. Replace every 90,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first, and change the water pump and tensioner at the same time. The Laser's 4G63 is an interference engine, so a failed belt is engine damage rather than a tow. The 3.3 and 3.8 V6 use a chain instead and are not on this schedule.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Tire Rotation
Every 7,500 miRotate every 7,500 miles. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall. On a car this old, tires almost always age out before the tread runs out.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Brake Inspection
Every 7,500 miInspect pads, rotors, hoses, and hard lines at every service. Rear drums on the Neon, Sundance, and Acclaim seize on cars that sit, and rusted steel lines are a real concern anywhere road salt is used.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Brake Fluid
Every 24,000 miReplace every 2 years. On a twenty-five-year-old car this is what keeps the master cylinder and the ABS unit from becoming the repair bill.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Important maintenance
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Spark Plugs
Every 30,000 miCopper plugs run 30,000 miles, platinum closer to 100,000. Replace the plug wires at the same time on anything with a distributorless coil pack. After this many years the wires break down before the plugs do.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Engine Air Filter
Every 30,000 miReplace every 30,000 miles. Simple on every model in the lineup.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Serpentine Belt & Tensioner
Every 60,000 miThis is the accessory belt, not the timing belt. Replace the belt and tensioner together once either is cracked, glazed, or noisy.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Recommended maintenance
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Coolant Replacement
Every 60,000 miEvery 3 to 5 years. Most of this era uses conventional green coolant rather than a long-life formula, so do not stretch it on the assumption that modern intervals apply. The 2.0 Neon engine has a known head gasket history, and clean coolant with a correct pressure cap is the cheapest defense.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Battery & Charging System Test
Every 25,000 miTest the battery and alternator once a year. Corroded ground straps are common at this age and produce electrical faults that look far worse than they are.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1990 Plymouth Sundance reflects Plymouth's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.