Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 Reliant | 7 | 1 |
| 1988 | 16 | 0 |
| 1987 | 10 | 0 |
| 1986 | 4 | 1 |
| 1985 Reliant | 5 | 1 |
| 1984 | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 | 4 |
| 1982 | 2 | 4 |
| 1981 | 2 | 4 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Vehicle speed control7
- Structure6
- Steering5
- Seat belts4
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Suspension3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Recalls
12 campaigns cover the Reliant.
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY CORRODE AND FAIL AT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR PIVOT MOUNTS IF OPERATED WHERE SALT IS USED TO AID IN SNOW REMOVAL.
BATTERY CAP VENTS MAY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH PLASTIC FLASHING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BUILD UP OF INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN CASE RUPTURE, PARTICULARLY DURING POST CHARGING. SHOULD A PERSON BE IN THE VICINITY OF THE BATTERY WHEN THE CASE RUPTURES, THEY MAY BE INJURED BY THE RELEASED GASES AND/OR ACID.
THE POTENTIAL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE EXISTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE FUEL RESERVOIR SEAM AND ITS HOSE CONNECTIONS. THE FUEL RESERVOIR IS A SILVER COLORED CAN MOUNTED TO THE AIR CLEANER.
LOCATION OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBE TO BOTH REAR WHEELS CAUSES INTERFERENCE AND CHAFING BETWEEN THE TUBES AND REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM PIVOT BRACKETS.
HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBING ROUTED TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE SYSTEM MAY HAVE BEEN BENT OUT OF SHAPE DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD CHAFE AGAINST THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HANGER BOLT.
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBE COULD CAUSE IT TO CHAFE AGAINST THE PARK BRAKE CABLES. EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE TUBE MAY FAIL AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BAY BE EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING AN EXCESS OF WATER.
CLAMP BOLTS INSTALLED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN CRACKS. EVENTUALLY THESE BOLTS MAY BREAK THROUGH, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
THE AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SWITCH MAY STICK IN THE "RESUME" POSITION RESTRICTING RETURN MOVEMENT. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM.
THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES INSTALLED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE INTERNAL SWITCH CONTACT PRESSURE DUE TO AN INCORRECT FORMATION OF THE SWITCH CONTACT TERMINALS. THIS LACK OF SWITCH CONTACT CONTINUITY MAY RENDER THE (STOP) BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS INOPERATIVE.
BRAKE FLUID MAY CONTAIN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WATER. THIS CAN CAUSE DEGRADATION OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE OR BRAKE FAILURE UNDER A VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
NHTSA recalls