The 1980 Plymouth Arrow is a rebadged Mitsubishi with solid mechanicals but aging rubber components, electrical gremlins, and rust issues typical of era Japanese imports. The engines are generally bulletproof if maintained, but finding parts is increasingly difficult.
Silent Shaft/Balance Shaft Belt Failure (2.6L only)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-80,000 mi intervals
Symptoms: Engine vibration increase, Catastrophic engine damage if belt breaks, No warning before failure, Oil pump driven by this belt on 2.6L
Fix: The 2.6L 'Astron' engine has TWO timing belts—one for cam, one for balance shafts that also drives oil pump. Mechanics unfamiliar with these engines miss the balance shaft belt. Both must be replaced together. 4-5 hours labor for someone experienced, 8+ if they've never done one.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Carburetor Accelerator Pump and Float Issues
Common · medium severitySymptoms: Hesitation on acceleration, Black smoke, Flooding after sitting, Hard cold starts, Fuel smell in cabin
Fix: Mikuni carbs used on these dry out after sitting. Accelerator pump diaphragms crack, float needles stick. Full rebuild kit plus proper adjustment needed. 2-3 hours labor, but finding someone who can properly tune a Mikuni is harder than the work itself.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Rear Hatch and Door Rust-Through
Common · medium severitySymptoms: Bubbling paint at lower hatch corners, Water leaks into cargo area, Rust perforation at door bottoms, Trunk floor rust (sedan), Fender lips rotting
Fix: Japanese steel from this era rusts aggressively. Lower hatch corners and door bottoms trap moisture. Proper fix requires cutting out rot and welding in patches, then seam sealing. 6-10 hours bodywork plus paint. Many are too far gone to save economically.
Estimated cost: $800-2,000
Rear Axle Bearing and Seal Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or humming from rear, Gear oil on inside of rear wheels, Vibration at highway speed
Fix: Rear wheel bearings and seals wear out. Axle must be pulled, bearing pressed off, new seal installed. 2-3 hours per side. Parts availability spotty—may need to cross-reference Mitsubishi Colt listings.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Ignition System Degradation
Common · low severityTypical onset: 70,000+ mi
Symptoms: Random stalling when hot, Hard starting after engine warm, Misfiring under load, No-start when humid
Fix: 40-year-old ignition components fail from heat cycling. Coil, distributor pickup, ignition module all common culprits. Requires systematic diagnosis. Replace cap/rotor/wires/coil as preventive set. 1-2 hours diagnostic, 1 hour replacement.
Estimated cost: $200-500
Transmission Input Shaft Bearing Noise
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 80,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling in neutral that disappears with clutch depressed, Whining in gear, Clutch pedal vibration
Fix: Input shaft bearing wears, especially on 2.6L models with more torque. Requires transmission removal, front case disassembly. 6-8 hours labor. Can live with the noise indefinitely if no lockup occurs.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Vacuum Line Deterioration
Common · low severitySymptoms: Rough idle, Poor fuel economy, HVAC controls not functioning properly, Hissing sounds under hood
Fix: Emissions-era vacuum spaghetti has 15+ connections. 40-year-old rubber lines crack and collapse. Map them before removal or use factory diagrams. 2-3 hours to systematically replace all vacuum lines.
Estimated cost: $150-300
Buy only if you're comfortable wrenching yourself and can find a rust-free example—parts scarcity and rust make these marginal daily drivers in 2024, but mechanically they're simple and durable.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.