Owners have filed 133 complaints
about the 1994 Chrysler Lebaron with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 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 — 65
Against the median year of the Chrysler Lebaron. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 58
11.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 34
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1994 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.
Hinge AND Attachments
2130.0%
Automatic Transmission
1724.3%
Gasoline
912.9%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
68.6%
Door
68.6%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR
57.1%
FAN
34.3%
Axle Assembly
34.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
240.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
120.0%
150,000+ miles
120.0%
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 13Aug 2006
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 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...
Recalls on the 1994 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19940363,411 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 207 - ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. THE TRAVELLING SEAT BUCKLE LOCK BARS (SEAT BELT ANCHORS) ON SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE STRENGTH AND MAY NOT MEET THE STATIC LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: LOCK BAR ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Moscow, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*PH WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE DRIVER PULLED TO THE SOUTH SHOULDER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER NOTICED FLAMED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10053305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLSION AT 30MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #846725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeview, IL4 injured
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT TIGHTENED ON CONSUMER, BRUISING RIBS.
NHTSA complaint #534402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE RESULTED FROM A MINOR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #514061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alibion, INCrash
TIRES
WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY, CAUSING A COLLISION. OWNER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. VEHICLE LEFT SKID MARKS 10 FEET, CAUSING THE TIRES TO BECOME BALD. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #821700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alibion, INCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY, CAUSING A COLLISION. OWNER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. VEHICLE LEFT SKID MARKS 10 FEET, CAUSING THE TIRES TO BECOME BALD. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #821700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 80,000 milesRED Creek, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 75,000 MILES ON IT. THOUGHT IT MIGHT LAST A LITTLE WHILE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, TRANSMISSION LEAK, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T WORK! GRINDS WHEN I PUT IT INTO REVERSE, AND ALL THE OTHER GEARS NOTHING HAPPENS. I ALSO JUST PUT A NEW FILTER AND FLUID IN THREE MONTHS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10165173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesCarrollton, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FELL OFF THE HINGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10109740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesFloral Park, NY
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHEN CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10064606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moscow, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*PH WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE DRIVER PULLED TO THE SOUTH SHOULDER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER NOTICED FLAMED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10053305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesLinn Creek, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER STATES WHEN TRYING TO OPEN DOOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FELL OF THE HINGE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10029385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 605,001 milesCrystal, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON IS TOO EASY TO RELEASE BY JUST BUMPING WITH ELBOW OR ANY OTHER LOOSE OBJECT.
NHTSA complaint #10016682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE COMING APART AT THE HINGES MAKING THE DOOR LOOSE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8009969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerville, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DOOR HINGES BROKE. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8003675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountainside, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES AT 25-30 MPH. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8000880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Exeter, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
A DENT THAT IS LOCATED NEAR HINGE OF DRIVER'S DOOR HAS CAUSED DOOR NOT TO OPEN OR CLOSE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #887120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WITH OVERDRIVE FAILED AT ONLY 48,000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING AND WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. CONSUMER CLAIMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF. CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND WAS TOLD AN UPGRADE WOULD NEED TO BE DONE AT CONSUMER'S COST.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING IT OR UPGRADING IT.
NHTSA complaint #886192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colona, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S DOOR UPPER HINGES WELD ARE BROKEN AND CAUSING DOOR TO DROP AND UNABLE TO CLOSE PROPERLY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE ITS WARRANTY, AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #877641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Croton, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHEN GOING UP AN EMBANKMENT CAR WAS CHANGING TO NEUTRAL AND THEN TO 1ST GEAR. TOOK TO DEALER FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION, AND DEALER SAID THAT LIP SEAL THAT HELD PRESSURE WAS NOT HOLDING, AND WAS CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT UNEXPECTEDLY. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #874994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Airy, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
THIS CAR HAS HAD 5 MAP SENSORS INSTALED IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. OTHER SENSORS HAVE ALSO FAILED WHEN THE MAP SENSOR FAILED. THIS PROBLEM HAS CREATED A GREAT HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR CUTS OFF AND GOES DEAD ON STRAIGHT ROADS, TURNS OR GOING UP OR DOWNHILL.
NHTSA complaint #735060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monrovia, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE METAL TO WHICH THE DOOR HINGES ARE ATTACHED TORE, CAUSING THE HINGE TO BREAK AND THE DOOR TO DROP AND WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED IT SERIOUSLY DAMAGED THE FRONT FENDER. IT IS MY SUSPICION THAT THE DOOR METAL IS TOO THIN.
NHTSA complaint #733177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Hartford, CT
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE GENTELMAN WHO GAVE THE ESTIMATE SAID THE HINGES WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE DOOR WHEN MANUFACTURED.
NHTSA complaint #731684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stayton, OR
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
I BELIEVE THE CRACKED REAR AXEL IS PLAINLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #726210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED FROM 4TH TO 2ND GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RACE TO EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS, CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #867990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED FROM 4TH TO 2ND GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RACE TO EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS, CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #867990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
LOWER HINGE MOUNT ON DOOR, WELD FAILED AND SEPARATED. THIS ALLOWS DOOR TO DROOP, WILL NOT FULLY OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY, AND DAMAGES AREA WHERE DOOR MEETS FRONT QUARTER PANEL. ALSO DOOR IS SUPPORTED ONLY BY TOP HINGE, WHICH WHEN THIS FAILS, CAR DOOR WOULD COME OFF.
NHTSA complaint #724879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aloha, OR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT THREE TIMES. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TO BE PUT BACK ON THE TRACK BECAUSE NUTS : BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE, TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN PUT IN GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #863648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aloha, OR
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT THREE TIMES. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TO BE PUT BACK ON THE TRACK BECAUSE NUTS : BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE, TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN PUT IN GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #863648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aloha, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT THREE TIMES. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TO BE PUT BACK ON THE TRACK BECAUSE NUTS : BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE, TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN PUT IN GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #863648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annapolis, MD
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN MOVES SIDE TO SIDE IN ALL DIRECTIONS DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT. YH
NHTSA complaint #552113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ferndale, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PISTON SHEARED OFF INSIDE ENGINE AND PUT A LARGE WHOLE IN THE BLOCK. VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF.
NHTSA complaint #722123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.