Owners have filed 96 complaints
about the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron with NHTSA between 1995 and 2005.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Automatic Transmission
1938.8%
Ignition
612.2%
Frontal
612.2%
Rear
510.2%
Engine
510.2%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
48.2%
AIR Conditioner
24.1%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
24.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
250.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
125.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 8Aug 2005
Recalls on the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E033000
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.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
90V080000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES MAY NOT CONTAIN DIFFUSER HOLES BETWEEN THE IGNITOR AND PROPELLANT CHAMBERS.
Risk: AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT SITUATION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DRIVER INJURY.
89V237000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199100847,845 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN ONTARIO, QUEBEC, NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AND NEWFOUNDLAND. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING DUE TO CORROSION FAILURE OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE. CORRECTION: DRL MODULE WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE HAVING ADDITIONAL POTTING MATERIAL THAT COVERS ALL PREVIOUSLY EXPOSED COMPONENTS.
Recall 198917887,817 units in Canada
Engine
ON VEHICLES WITH 2.2 LITRE OR 2.5 LITRE EFI(NON-TURBO) ENGINE, THE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY LEAK OIL CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: VALVE COVER GASKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED COVER AND RTV SEALANT APPLIED IN PLACE OF THE GASKET.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 98,000 milesVerginia Beach, VAFire
AIR BAGS
DT: THE CALLER SAID HIS FRIEND WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED. NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE, BUT THE CALLER SAID IT STARTED TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. DEALER SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY COULD SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAGS AND ON A OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10134279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesVerginia Beach, VAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CALLER SAID HIS FRIEND WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED. NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE, BUT THE CALLER SAID IT STARTED TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. DEALER SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY COULD SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAGS AND ON A OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10134279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Studio City, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS LISTED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 5730. VALVE COVER HAS ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET. *AK FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #865535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Studio City, CACrash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS LISTED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 5730. VALVE COVER HAS ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET. *AK FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #865535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WON'T GO BACK IN MAY OF 1998 THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID'NT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #831061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clifton, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, SMOKE WAS SEEN AT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, THEN MORE SMOKE AT THE ENGINE PART OF THE VEHICLE, FIRE STARTED FIRE DEPT. CAUSED WAS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATED WHILE ON AN INCLINEN VEHICLE STARTED LOOSING ACCELERATION, WHEN CONSUMER PULLED OVER EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT HOLD AND TRANSMISSION PARK DID N OT HOLD ON SLIGHT INCLINE, CONSUMER JUMPED OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE MOVING BACKWARD, VEHICLE ROLLED INTO DITCH AND WENT UP IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #813200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 98,000 milesVerginia Beach, VAFire
AIR BAGS
DT: THE CALLER SAID HIS FRIEND WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED. NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE, BUT THE CALLER SAID IT STARTED TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. DEALER SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY COULD SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAGS AND ON A OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10134279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesVerginia Beach, VAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CALLER SAID HIS FRIEND WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED. NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE, BUT THE CALLER SAID IT STARTED TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. DEALER SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY COULD SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAGS AND ON A OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10134279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomingdale, NJ
POWER TRAIN
PAINT CONTINUES TO PEEL FROM TOP SURFACES
NHTSA complaint #10069039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomingdale, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT CONTINUES TO PEEL FROM TOP SURFACES
NHTSA complaint #10069039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesS.i., NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR IS A LEMON!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10043113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,205 milesOrfordville, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE SHOE. THE LOOSE SHOE WAS STILL IN PLACE CAPTURED BY THE CALIPER. CONSUMER'S 1990 VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 92V017000. DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES. HOWEVER, ONE OF THE BRAKE LININGS SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE AGAIN. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #564667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKS INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AND WILL NOT UPSHIFT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME. (LIMP MODE). THERE ARE AT LEAST 32 TSB'S COVERING VARIOUS PROBLEMS ON THE A604/41TE TRANSMISSIONS. I CALLED CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NO RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. ESTIMATED REPAIRS TO DATE ARE $1950 - $2100. THE CAR IS LIKE NEW OTHERWISE, BUT USELESS AS IS.
NHTSA complaint #761937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES (MORE THAN 20+) OVER LAST 8 MONTHS. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART IN APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IT WON'T. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR AS IT HAS HAPPENED AT 30 MPH AS WELL AS 65. WEATHER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THIS PROBLEM IS SPORADIC - SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY OVER A DISTANCE OF 5 MILES, OTHER TIMES IT WILL RUN FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THEN SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT PROBLEM IS DUE TO IT NOT ACTING UP WHEN THEY HAVE IT. I CALLED THE CHRYSLER GARAGE IN PLYMOUTH, IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME UNLESS THEY ACTUALLY SEE THE PROBLEM HAPPEN. I CANNOT PREDICT WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AND HAVE NO WARNING AHEAD OF TIME. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SCARY WHEN DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH SEMIS.
NHTSA complaint #761756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orfordville, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
A REAR BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE. I FOUND THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME WHILE GREASING THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOOSE SHOE WAS STILL IN PLACE CAPTURED BY THE CALIPER. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL: CAMPAIGN NUMBER 92V017000, BUT MY 1990 VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL SINCE IT EFFECTED 1989 MODELS. HOWEVER, I CONVINCED THE DEALER I DID HAVE THE PROBLEM SINCE I HAD A LINING THAT SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE. THE DEALER REPLACED MY REAR BRAKES AT THAT TIME. I HAVE NO RECORD OF THE SERVICE DATE, AND THE DEALER CLAIMS HE HAS NO RECORD, ALTHOUGH HE ALSO HAS NO RECORD OF THE RECALL SERVICE THAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH WATER COLLECTING IN A REAR WHEEL WELL EITHER. TWO DAYS AGO, I WAS AGAIN GREASING THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THIS VEHICLE AND I DISCOVERED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! ONE OF THE BRAKE LININGS WAS SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE AGAIN! I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, THE ORIGINAL RECALL DID NOT CORRECT ALL THE DEFECTIVE BRAKES. MY 1990 CHRYSLER LEBARON OBVIOUSLY HAD THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH CHRYSLER INSISTED IT EFFECTED ONLY 1989 MODELS AND MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. SECOND, PARTS USED AFTER THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED, STILL EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!
NHTSA complaint #754947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Warwick, RI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SEAL WITHIN TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AND IS CAUSING PROBLEM WITH DOWNSHIFTING. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED SEAL.*AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Warwick, RI
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SEAL WITHIN TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AND IS CAUSING PROBLEM WITH DOWNSHIFTING. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED SEAL.*AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON TWO OCCASIONS AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BURNED WIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ON BOTH OCCASIONS, AND MADE REPAIRS. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #881881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ON TWO OCCASIONS AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BURNED WIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ON BOTH OCCASIONS, AND MADE REPAIRS. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #881881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Presque Isle, ME
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL FOR THE GAS COVER GASKET AND WAS REPLACED WITH SILICONE! SILICONE CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS! THE LIFTER HAS A BAD TICKING TO IT! AND AN OCCASSIONAL SPARK KNOCK! THE STRUTS DO NOT WEAR WELL AND TEND TO GIVE OUT AFTER 5,000 MILES!
NHTSA complaint #727431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Presque Isle, ME
POWER TRAIN
THE ODOMETER NEEDLE HAS BROKEN INSIDE AND I CANNOT REPAIR IT.
NHTSA complaint #725591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Studio City, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS LISTED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 5730. VALVE COVER HAS ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET. *AK FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #865535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Studio City, CACrash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS LISTED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 5730. VALVE COVER HAS ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET. *AK FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #865535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS BALD WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR HOME. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #722323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
TIRES
THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS BALD WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR HOME. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #722323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS BALD WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR HOME. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #722323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #722369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEARS. ALSO LOSS OF FLUID OCCURS AND ENGINE OVERHEATS. OWNER HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT SHE BELIEVES IT WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN SHE BOUGHT IT. TRANSMISSION IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #861808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEARS. ALSO LOSS OF FLUID OCCURS AND ENGINE OVERHEATS. OWNER HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT SHE BELIEVES IT WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN SHE BOUGHT IT. TRANSMISSION IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #861808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHEN TRAVELING ON THE ROAD WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #860467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Petersburg, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EXPERIENCED REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH "JERKING" IN THE VEHICLE AND GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO OPEREATED PROPERLY (NOT MEETING THE GEAR RATIO). UPON MECHANICS CHECK AND COMMPUTER ANALYSIS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A VEHICLE RECALL OF THE CARS COMPUTER HAD NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED. THE MECHANIC HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND I REQUEST FINANCIAL REIMBURSEMENT. MY TOTAL COST TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS WAS $1,084.38.
NHTSA complaint #714476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.