1994 Plymouth Duster Hatchback review from North America

The car has been good to me except the one quirk it has from time to time. First it started on only rainy days where all the gauges would not work. The battery gage, tachometer, and speedometer would drop to zero while I was driving the vehicle; the temperature and fuel gage would read extremely high. This was quite annoying for the first couple months I had the car. Thought it was a "lemon." The dealership where I purchased this car tried to fix the problem, but they couldn't find a reason to why this would happen, they even lent me their diagnostic computer. The computer was plugged into my car's computer, but in the two months I had their computer hooked up, my car stopped having this problem. The dealership disconnected the computer and told me if the car still runs and I can drive it what really is the problem? Sorry, but on the highway I am conscious about how fast I'm going and I do not want to be explaining to a police officer why my car gages don't work. Well, this problem went away for several months. Popped up again only instead of occurring only on rainy days the gages were messing up on dry days! This was very frustrating. I was ready to sell the car in 1998 with 36k miles on it.

But as you can see I kept the car. Car still has this intermittent problem today, the only thing I do now is I hit the dashboard and the gages come back on. It is probably a loose connection somewhere? I have taken apart the cluster gages, but there are no wires in back just pin connections that plugs in. I did find a grounding wire broken in the engine compartment and had that replaced, but it didn't solve the problem. If I ever sell this car maybe the next owner can figure this out?

Two major problems after that was the head gasket blew at 63k miles, I had the timing belt, head gasket, thermostat, and water pump replaced along with having the repair shop taking the car's block to a machine shop before they reassembled the engine. They told me I had an exhaust valve leak and this was fixed at no charge to me. I also told the repair shop to go ahead and replace all the belts: steering, serpentine, etc, change the oil, and flush out the radiator. Repair bill was reasonable at $700; dealership price would have cost $1500.

The second major problem was the car developed a hesitation problem; the repair shop told me it was the fuel

pump, $500 later it didn't correct the problem. I brought the car to another repair shop and they said it was the Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve. Valve replace, cost $80 and car ran great again!

Other work done to car: oxygen sensor and MAP sensor replaced at 80k.

The Hall effect sensor was replaced, along with the cap/rotor, spark plugs/wires.

Regular oil and filter changes ever 3k miles.

Brakes/rotors/ wheel bearings have been replaced due to one year of auto-crossing the car.

The transmission has been regularly serviced and maintained, there are no problems in shifting.

I am the second owner of this Duster; I had purchased the car in late 1994 with 13k miles on it for book value. First owner was a rental car company that operated this car as a daily rental passenger vehicle in NY.

I still own this car today, great car to drive and great car to auto-cross.

My needs are changing and I would like to get a truck for towing purposes, I have seen Duster/Shadows with tow hitches, but I do not want to burn out the auto transmission on this car.

One can hold a lot of stuff in the trunk/hatchback area. Great for moving, I had to replace the back shock absorbers from the heavy use of moving my friends and myself.

The car has never left me stranded! Always starts up and has been maintained throughout its 11yrs.

Paint is still glossy with it being waxed twice per year, no rust on upper body. Under carriage is rusting from being driven in winter.

Winter driving is some much fun with this car. I have been on the roads in near white-out conditions, on ice and in deep snow. I love to watch everyone else dig out their SUV while my Duster can drive right out without shoveling.