PlymouthLaser1991Overview/plymouth/laser/1991/base/

1991 Plymouth Laser

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Laser.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1991 Plymouth Laser is a passenger car that takes 4.5 quarts of oil with filter and can run on 15W‑40, 10W‑30, or 5W‑30 viscosity. Owner feedback for that year totals 38 complaints, with seat belts the most frequent problem and one recall issued. Compared with the Laser’s complaint history from 1990‑1998—peaking at 46 complaints in 1992 and bottoming out at just 2 in 1995—the 1991 model sits in the middle of the range, indicating average reliability for the line.

Model year19941993199219911990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length170.5 in
Overall width66.5 in
Overall height51.6 in
Wheelbase97.2 in
Curb weight2524 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 50,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1991 the Laser generated 38 complaints, which exceeds the 30 recorded in 1990 but is well below the 46 complaints of 1992. The model had one recall and two investigations, matching the recall count of 1992‑1994 and the investigation level of 1990 and 1992. Across the generation complaints peaked in 1992 then declined sharply, placing 1991 in the mid‑range of the complaint arc. The 1991 figures therefore represent a moderate level of reported problems, higher than the earliest year but lower than the peak year. Consequently, while a 1991 Laser can be found, later model years offer comparatively fewer complaints and may be a better purchase choice.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
8
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
38
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 38 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts9
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Electrical System4
Suspension3
Structure3
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Seats2
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103003Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 8 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
2300800B2000-11-24SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
2308002000-03-03SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
0806002000-02-25Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT
233599REVA1999-10-01StructureSUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Laser. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Laser take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F 30W SJ, SL, ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40 SJ, SL, ABOVE 0 degrees F 10W-30 SJ, SL, BELOW 32 degrees F 5W-30 SJ, SL, BELOW 100 degrees F 5W-30 SJ, SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Laser have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.