PLYMOUTH LASER · model year

1992 PLYMOUTH LASER

46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992PLYMOUTHLASER carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 LASER is engine and engine cooling:engine with 8 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (7) and power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1992 LASER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

46
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

46 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT4
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD3
SEAT BELTS2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1

Recent Complaints

20080809POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1992 PLYMOUTH LASER BADLY SLIPPING TRANSMISSION CAR QUIT IN TRAFFIC ABLE TO GET IT TOWED TO REPAIR A FULL TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT COST OF 1150.00 $ BY TRANSMISSION KINT TEMPLE TX IN 2002 ALL PARTS REPLACED OCT 10 2002. *TR

Mileage: 97,572

20080204POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC HAVE NOT YET INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V069002 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,502. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR

Mileage: 126,502

20070322POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSFER CASE ON MY 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER. I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE OWNED IT FOR SIX YEARS. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THSI RECALL ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I HAVE REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES ALREADY AND THE FIRST TIME IT BLEW UP THE SYMPTOMS SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL. IN THE SUMMER OF 2002 MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND AN INTERNAL PART OF IT BLEW A HOLE THROUGH MY TRANSMISSION AND THE PART FEEL ON THE ROADWAY LEAVING ME STRANDED. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRSYLER ABOUT THIS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT ISN'T THERE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RECALL I FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE. I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I CAN DO OR WHAT YOU COULD DO TO HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU!!!!

Mileage: 150,000

20050712POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSFER CASE IN HIS VEHICLE. THE RECALL NUMBER GIVEN BY THE DEALER IS 13781167. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR IT INITIALLY. THE REPAIR WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED LAST WEEK. HOWEVER TODAY THE DEALER CALLED TO SAY THE VEHICLE RECALL WOULD NOT BE HONORED. THE VEHICLE OWNER CALLED CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT MAKE THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE HAD BEEN REDESIGNED. THE VEHICLE OWNERS SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A DIRT ROAD AT 10 TO 15 MPH AND THE WHEELS LOCKED. THIS OCCURRED TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN INTO THE SHOP FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AFTER THE RECALL WAS SEEN ONLINE. TWO YEARS THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THIS RECALL WORK COMPLETED AND THE PAPERWORK INDICATED THAT IT SHOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

Mileage: 165,000

20030912POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WITHOUT WARNING, ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP DUE TO A LEAKING SEAL FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH

20020820FatalSEAT BELTS

WHILE IN MOTION CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT APPEARS THE SHOULDER BELT RELEASED FROM THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS. THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT WAS NOT BUCLKED. THIS CRASH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER. *JG

20010507POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTION FOR RECALL 98V-069 FOR THE FAULTY TRANSFER CASE BUT AT THAT TIME THE DEFECT DID NOT EXIST, THE VEHICLE TRANSFER CASE BEGAN TO FAIL AFTER THE INSPECTION AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIR, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

20010507ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

THE TURBOCHARGER FAILED. NLM

20001101POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION JUMPING WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK AT 60K MILES...PAINT FAILED AT 41K MILES AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED BY DEALER 2 OR 3 TIMES(STILL A MESS) ...COMPUTER FAILED AROUND 70K MILES(ALONG WITH A FUEL INJECTOR AND A SENSOR)....HATCHBACK WOULDN'T STAY UP AT ABOUT 40K-60K MILES...... MILES ARE ESTIMATED TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE

20001101ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

TRANSMISSION JUMPING WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK AT 60K MILES...PAINT FAILED AT 41K MILES AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED BY DEALER 2 OR 3 TIMES(STILL A MESS) ...COMPUTER FAILED AROUND 70K MILES(ALONG WITH A FUEL INJECTOR AND A SENSOR)....HATCHBACK WOULDN'T STAY UP AT ABOUT 40K-60K MILES...... MILES ARE ESTIMATED TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE

20000918ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, AND AGAIN A YEAR LATER. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME, YET IT BLEW A YEAR LATER. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VALVES WHEN THE TIMING BELT WENT OUT. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE!

20000914ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, AND AGAIN A YEAR LATER. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME, YET IT BLEW A YEAR LATER. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VALVES WHEN THE TIMING BELT WENT OUT. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE!

20000322POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE WAS RECALL FOR TRANSFER CASE AND DURING INSPECTION DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO INDICATE LEAKAGE, OWNER LATER DISCOVERED LEAKAGE AND DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION THE TRANSFER CASE IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. (98V-069) MJS

19990831ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

COMPUTER WENT BAD

19990823CrashPOWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

I RECEIVED A MANUFACTURES RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A YEAR AGO ON THE TRANSFER CASE OF MY VEHICLE. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSFER CASE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THIS FORM I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED O.K. WITH IT. NOW A YEAR AND 22,000 MILES LATER, ON 8/22/99 I WAS HEADED NORTH BOUND ON THE PA TURNPIKE AT APPROXIMATELY 2145 HOURS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SENT ME INTO A SPIN. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP THE CAR WAS RUNNING, BUT INMOBILE. SOMEHOW I MANAGED NOT TO HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. HOWEVER I WAS STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURNPIKE. AFTER ROCKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES I WAS ABLE TO FREE UP THE WHEELS ENOUGH TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY TOLLED ME THAT IT WAS MY TRANSFER CASE WHICH HAD FORZEN MY WHEELS MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. S

19990615ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIED SPEEDS THE ENGINE COOLING ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM ENGINE AND BLEW OUT ALL THE OIL IN ABOUT 30 SECONDS. I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED 10 TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE CARE WAS ONLY 2 YRS OLD, AND THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY BROKE DOWN. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT THEY DID NOT HOLD UP. THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ANOTHER 9 TIMES OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS. *AK

19990317VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE FRONT PASSENGER LAP BELT WOULD CLICK AND SOUND LIKE IT WAS LATCHED BUT IF YOU GAVE IT PULL IT WOULD COME OUT. GOETSCH & IRVINE MOTOR THE PLYMOUTH DEALER WHERE I CURRENTLY LIVE REPLACED THE LAP BELT AND INNER LAP BELT ASSEMBLY AT NO CHARGE. THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 785-776-4875. THEY ARE LOCATED AT 4TH & LEAVENWORTH, P.O. BOX 707 MANHATTAN, KS. 66505-0707. I WAS SATISFIED WITH THEIR REPAIRS BUT WONDER IF THEIR IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN. SOMEONE WOULD THINK THEIR BELT IS LATCHED, HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND LATCH WOULD COME FREE. THE ASSEMBLY ON DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES

19990317SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

THE FRONT PASSENGER LAP BELT WOULD CLICK AND SOUND LIKE IT WAS LATCHED BUT IF YOU GAVE IT PULL IT WOULD COME OUT. GOETSCH & IRVINE MOTOR THE PLYMOUTH DEALER WHERE I CURRENTLY LIVE REPLACED THE LAP BELT AND INNER LAP BELT ASSEMBLY AT NO CHARGE. THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 785-776-4875. THEY ARE LOCATED AT 4TH & LEAVENWORTH, P.O. BOX 707 MANHATTAN, KS. 66505-0707. I WAS SATISFIED WITH THEIR REPAIRS BUT WONDER IF THEIR IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN. SOMEONE WOULD THINK THEIR BELT IS LATCHED, HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND LATCH WOULD COME FREE. THE ASSEMBLY ON DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES

19990217POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

RECALL 98V069002..780; DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE CONSUMER IS UNSATISFIED WITH CHRYSLER'S INSPECTION GUIDELINES FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AS STATED IN RECALL. CONSUMER STATES MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SUBMITTED COMPLAINT ID #5069653. *AK

19990112VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IS DIFFICULT TO ROLL UP DUE TO GOING OFF TRACK.. *AK.ET.

Compare 1992PLYMOUTHLASER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER have?
The 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER has 46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER?
The most-complained component for the 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT.
Is the 1992 PLYMOUTH LASER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.