Plymouth Reliant

1,114,618 built

Produced

About

The Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries are mid-size cars introduced for model year 1981 as the first "K-cars" manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation. The Reliant and Aries were the smallest cars to have the traditional 6 passenger 2 bench seat with column shifter seating arrangement favored by customers in the United States, similar to larger rear-wheel drive cars such as the Dodge Dart and other front-wheel drive cars such as the Chevrolet Celebrity.

Photo & info: Wikipedia

Specifications

From Wikipedia — confirm against the actual car before purchase.

Engine: 2.2 L K I4
Transmission: 4-speed A460 manual
Drivetrain: Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform: K-body
Body: 2-door coupe (1981–1989)
Class: Mid-size car
Also sold as: Dodge Dart K/Plymouth Valiant Volare K (Mexico)
Wheelbase: 100 in
Length: 178 in
Width: 68 in
Height: Sedan: 52 in
Weight: 2,300 lb
Assembly: 🇺🇸 United States: Newark, Delaware (Newark Assembly: sedans and wagons)
Related: Chrysler LeBaron
Predecessor: Dodge Aspen / Plymouth Volaré
Successor: Dodge Spirit / Plymouth Acclaim

Photos

Real cars from Wikimedia Commons — colours and trims as photographed.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons — click any for full resolution & licence.

By year

Trims, economy and safety change year to year — pick one (US market).

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

Trim · engine	Drive	MPG comb (city/hwy)	CO₂ g/mi	Fuel cost
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS)	Front-Wheel Drive	22 (20/26)	404	$3,050/yr
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (POLICE) (FFS)	Front-Wheel Drive	21 (20/24)	423	$3,200/yr
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, (POLICE) (FFS)	Front-Wheel Drive	21 (19/24)	423	$3,200/yr
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, (FFS)	Front-Wheel Drive	21 (19/25)	423	$3,200/yr
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS)	Front-Wheel Drive	25 (22/29)	355	$2,700/yr

Economy & emissionsMidsize Cars

$1,500

more over 5 yrs vs. avg

11.9

Barrels/yr

Recalls & complaints

Recalls: 1 · Complaints: 11 · Investigations: 10

Suspension
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.

Top recall areas: Suspension

Investigations: Rear Toe Link May Separate · Automated Driving System (ADS) conflict avoidance, driving behavior competence and assertiveness · Front Steering Knuckle Fractures

Trims & economy: fueleconomy.gov · recalls & rating: NHTSA

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Reviews & research

Independent reviews, news and owner communities — off-site.

Video reviews

Road tests & walkarounds on YouTube

Expert reviews

Edmunds, Car and Driver, MotorTrend & more

News

Latest coverage and updates

Owner community

Real-world ownership on Reddit

Full history

The complete Wikipedia entry

For sale

Find one for sale

Search the open market for a Plymouth Reliant now — eBay Motors plus sellers who list directly with rTracer. Live listings land here as the feed goes live.

Market value. No used Plymouth Reliant has one set price — see what they actually sold for recently, then compare with what's on the market now.

Search eBay Motors ↗See sold prices ↗

Maintenance & ownership

Check the Plymouth Reliant's recall history, investigations and owner complaints at NHTSA — the best free read on reliability and what tends to go wrong before you buy.

Check at NHTSA ↗

The universe

Coming: a full spec sheet, and a drivable 3D model of the Reliant on any road in the rTracer atlas.

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