Owners have filed 87 complaints
about the 1993 Chrysler Lebaron with NHTSA between 1995 and 2005.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 42
Against the median year of the Chrysler Lebaron. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 59
11.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1993 compares with every other Chrysler Lebaron
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
1029.4%
Ignition
514.7%
Axle Assembly
411.8%
Rear
411.8%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
38.8%
Front
38.8%
Frontal
38.8%
Torsion BAR
25.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
250.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
150,000+ 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.
Feb 1995peak 11May 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Chrysler Lebaron
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP03002Opened 7 May 2003Closed 22 Jul 2003STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENT...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Killeen, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10009027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fortescue, MOCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING OCCURRED A COLLISION, RESULTING IN AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, CAUSING DRIVER MINOR FACIAL INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8005502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG EXPERIENCED VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT INDICATION, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. *YCET.
NHTSA complaint #842585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mequou, WICrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER PARKED CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE GEAR SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, ROLLED DOWN DRIVEWAY AND HIT TREE.
NHTSA complaint #803561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS VIOLENT, CAUSING SEVERE BURNS TO RIGHT EAR/CHEEK/LEFT HAND.
NHTSA complaint #503068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Haywo, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN APPLYING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL ON A WET ROAD, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #485775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 170,000 milesTuckerton, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CONTACT STATES: 1993 CHRYSLER LEBARON GASOLINE UNDER CARRIAGE OR LINE DEVELOPED A LEAK IS SUSPECTED. HAS NOT TAKEN THIS TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. JUST NOTICED THIS YESTERDAY. CAN SMELL GAS AND SEE LEAKAGE, INFACT IT LOST A QUARTER OF A TANK WITHIN 20 MILES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10119511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #10102860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesWellsville, UT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN. THE SECOND GEAR IS GONE. *AK THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE VEHICLE JERKED EXTREMELY HARD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND CURRENTLY IT WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10089215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesWellsville, UT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN. THE SECOND GEAR IS GONE. *AK THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE VEHICLE JERKED EXTREMELY HARD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND CURRENTLY IT WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10089215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Killeen, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10009027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #766888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WENT INTO "LIMP-HOME" MODE (LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR. ALSO SHOWED SLIPPAGE IN R-D SHIFT. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS FAILURE IN INTERNAL VALVING. HE ALSO FOUND A DSCARDED CIGARETTE BET IN THE VALVE BODY. TRANSMISSION NOT REPAIRABLE. REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION SENSORS, TO THE TUNE OF $2,800. SPOKE TO CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT BEFORE AUTHORIZING REPAIR. THEY FLATLY REFUSED TO OFFER ANY GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT, BECAUSE I WAS SECOND OWNER. HOWOVER, I HAVE ORIGINAL OWNER'S STATEMENT THAT CAR WAS SERVICED ACCORDING TO MANUAL, AND TRANSMISSION WAS NEVER OPENED WHILE SHE OWNED IT. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSIONS USED IN THE EARLY 1990S. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS SOON, AND CHRYSLER SHOULD BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF ITS POOR DESIGN PRACTICES.
NHTSA complaint #761204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orion, MI
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THE TORQUE TUBE CRACKS INSIDE OF WELD ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH WEAKENS THE TRAILING ARM. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8007827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fortescue, MOCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING OCCURRED A COLLISION, RESULTING IN AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, CAUSING DRIVER MINOR FACIAL INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8005502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapoli, MN
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FEELS UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicsville, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
HEAVY GAS VAPOR SMELL COMING FROM CAR - INSPECTION INDCIATES NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #740778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
DEALER WELDED ENDS OF BROKEN TORSION BARS TO TRAILING ARMS 9/8/99 THE WELD BROKE 8/30/00 CHRYSLER SAYS IT IS NOT A MANF. DEFECT. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SO WHAT CAUSED IT TO BREAK 2 TIMES? IT SURE SEEM TO ME LIKE A MANAF. DEFECT. ONE OF THE REPAIR PLACES I HAD LOOK AT IT THOUGHT THE ENTIRE REAR END NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD THAT IN PRESENT CONDITION WHEN GOING AT 60-70 MPH & TURN ONE MAY LOSE CONTROL. ALSO, THE REAR END IS WOBELLY.
NHTSA complaint #730677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
DEALER WELDED ENDS OF BROKEN TORSION BARS TO TRAILING ARMS 9/8/99 THE WELD BROKE 8/30/00 CHRYSLER SAYS IT IS NOT A MANF. DEFECT. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SO WHAT CAUSED IT TO BREAK 2 TIMES? IT SURE SEEM TO ME LIKE A MANAF. DEFECT. ONE OF THE REPAIR PLACES I HAD LOOK AT IT THOUGHT THE ENTIRE REAR END NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD THAT IN PRESENT CONDITION WHEN GOING AT 60-70 MPH & TURN ONE MAY LOSE CONTROL. ALSO, THE REAR END IS WOBELLY.
NHTSA complaint #730677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prairie Village, KS
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WELD JOINTS ON BOTH ENDS OF THE AXLE FAILED, BACK WHEELS COULD FALL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #723116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VAN Nuys, CA
POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER / SPEEDOMETER READINGS ARE 10% HIGH, THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT RE-CALCULATION OF SPEED WHILE DRIVING. POLICE HAVE STOPPED CAR FOR GOING UNDER SPEED LIMIT.
NHTSA complaint #722735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Preston Hallow, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED RESULTING IN THE TRANSMISSION HAVING TO BE REBUILT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cerro Gordo, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW SERPENTINE BELT WOULD BECOME DISLODGED DUE TO SNOW GETTING INSIDE OF ENGINE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP & INFORMED CONSUMER OF A FACTORY DEFECT. SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED REPLACING. NO WAY TO BLOCK SNOW FROM GETTING INTO ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #857718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Preston Hollow, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REFUNDED FOR REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pentwater, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH HEARD A NOISE THAT CAME FROM UNDER VEHICLE. THEN, TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #855917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lugoff, SC
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEN NOTICED VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. CONSUMER LOOKED AROUND VEHICLE AND NOTICED LOWER BALL JONT BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON.
NHTSA complaint #853189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lindenwold, NJ
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL . THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF TOO MANY BROKEN WELDS ON REAR WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #849754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lindenwold, NJ
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE WELDS ON THE BACK WHEEL FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION. ALL THE WELDS DID NOT FAIL, BUT ENOUGH FAILED SO THE SUSPENTION COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS SO BAD A COMPLETE NEW READ SUSPENTION HAD TO BE DONE. A DEALER COMMENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED ME TO FILL OUT THIS REPORT. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CHRYSLER REF 630-5949. I HAVE NOT SEEN A FAILURE SUCH AS THIS IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS. CRYSLER SEEMED UNCONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #712766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG EXPERIENCED VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT INDICATION, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. *YCET.
NHTSA complaint #842585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Charles, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT TWICE AND REPLACED ENTIRELY ONCE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #702932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Charles, MO
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN HE HEARD A METAL GRINDING NOISE, AT THAT TIME CONSUMER DECIDED TO PARK VEHICLE AND TIED IT IN.
NHTSA complaint #834491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.