Owners have filed 89 complaints
about the 1995 Chrysler Lebaron with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 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 — 43
Against the median year of the Chrysler Lebaron. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 93
18% 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 1995 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.
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.
Sep 1995peak 7Oct 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 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.
Aurora, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER STATED THAT INSURANCE COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP DID NOT THINK THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. LICENSE PLATE WAS BENT.
NHTSA complaint #894569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Roya, OHFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PLASTIC MATERIAL USED TO MAKE THE ASHTRAY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN CONSUMER PUT A MATCH IN IT WHICH WAS NOT COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rowlett, TXCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DURING REAR END COLLISION T 5 MPH, RESULTED IN TEARING OFF PASSENGER'S THUMB AND SEVERE HAND DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #821668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rowlett, TXCrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DURING REAR END COLLISION T 5 MPH, RESULTED IN TEARING OFF PASSENGER'S THUMB AND SEVERE HAND DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #821668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinson, ALCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION , THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE'S BODY WAS NOT DENTED.
NHTSA complaint #816872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroeville, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, LST ONE RESULTIN GIN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #513014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
East Peoria, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MADE A LOT OF NOISE WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. DEALERS MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTTOM HINGE BROKE OFF THE DOOR, AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK CONSUMER THOUGHT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE DOOR AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. WITH A REPAIR BILL OF OVER $2000.00 DOLLARS, THE CONSUMER FELT CHRYSLER SHOULD'VE ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DOOR. THE CONSUMER HAS OWNED A '49 FORD CONVERTIBLE, '65 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE, '86 PONTIAC CONVERTIBLE AND '89 CHRYSLER CONVERTIBLE BEFORE THIS CONVERTIBLE IN QUESTION. IN ADDITION, SHE NOTED THAT HAVING TO REPLACED AN ENTIRE DOOR WAS SOMETHING SHE DIDN'T THINK WOULD HAPPEN IN HER WILDEST DREAMS. *PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10044587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE CLAMP THAT TIGHTENS THE FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE AT THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER HOSE LOOSEND 3 TIMES, AFTER THE CLAMP WAS REPLACED, THE HOSE DEVELOPED A LEAK AT THE HOSE. *AK *TS
NHTSA complaint #10034368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Augustine, FL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT STAYS IN RECLINING POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10024664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesST. Augustine, FL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT SEATS ARE STUCK IN THE RECLINING MODE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10024374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesFalls Church, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE HAS FAILED. DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. SINCE DOOR HAS "FALLED" AND IS NOT ALIGNED, THE OPENING ACTION HAS CRUMPLED THE FRONT QUARTERPANEL, PAINT IS NOW FLAWED. NOW A REPAINT AND BODY WORK IS NEEDED. HAVE NOTICED OTHER LEBARONS WITH THIS SAME TELL-TALE DAMAGE; THIS IS EVIDENTLY A DESIGN DEFECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT JEEP PRODUCTS SUFFER FROM THIS FLAW ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10007943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,020 milesMarinette, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE DROPS OUT OF THIRD GEAR TO SECOND GEAR SLOWING VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. VEHICLE IS ON SECOND REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER STATES DOOR HANGS DOOR TOO FAR CAUSING DOOR NOT TO CLOSE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO LIFT DOOR UP TO CLOSE PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8014787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, IL
SEATS
LATCH PLATE IN DRIVER'S SEAT HAS CRACKED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #8007591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bonita Springs, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE LENS ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BECOME VERY CLOUDED. THEREFORE RESTRICTING FORWARD VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING, THUS CREATING A HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER VECHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME CONDITION. YET I HAVE SEEN OTHERS WITH CLEAR LENS.
NHTSA complaint #758068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montreal, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HANGS IN SECOND GEAR WHILE CITY DRIVING, WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND UNTIL SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS.SAFETY CONCERN IS NOT KNOWING YOU CANT ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC UNTIL YOU ARE ALREADY ON THE EXIT TRYING TO GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED AND CANT GET BEYOND SECOND GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #754770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER STATED THAT INSURANCE COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP DID NOT THINK THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. LICENSE PLATE WAS BENT.
NHTSA complaint #894569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valparaiso, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S DOOR CRACKED OFF WHERE HINGES MEET THE SHEET METAL, BOTH UPPER AND LOWER HINGES ARE INVOLVED. DOOR CREAKED 2 DAYS BEFORE. I WAS GOING TO LUBRICATE THE HINGES, BUT I SAW CRACKING AROUND THE TOP HINGE. THE NEXT DAY, YESTERDAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE LOCAL BODY SHOP. ON THE WAY I STOPPED FOR LUNCH. WHEN I GINGERLY OPENED THE DOOR TO GET OUT, THERE WAS A SOUND. I ONLY OPENED IT ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE WAY AND SQUEEZED OUT. THE DOOR WAS NOW HANGING VISIBLY WRONG, AND HAD PUSHED IN THE SHEET METAL OF THE BODY PANEL IN FRONT OF IT. NOW I ONLY USE THE 1 OTHER DOOR, AND I KEEP THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKED. THE BODY SHOP OWNER SAID THAT HE HAD WORKED ON QUITE A FEW JUST THE SAME AS MINE, HE EVEN FINISHED MY STATEMENT TO HIM WHEN HE HEARD CHRYSLER CONVERTIBLE DOOR PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD! BODYSHOP GUY SAID A NEW DOOR NEEDED AND ITS EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #750158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valparaiso, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S DOOR CRACKED OFF WHERE HINGES MEET THE SHEET METAL, BOTH UPPER AND LOWER HINGES ARE INVOLVED. DOOR CREAKED 2 DAYS BEFORE. I WAS GOING TO LUBRICATE THE HINGES, BUT I SAW CRACKING AROUND THE TOP HINGE. THE NEXT DAY, YESTERDAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE LOCAL BODY SHOP. ON THE WAY I STOPPED FOR LUNCH. WHEN I GINGERLY OPENED THE DOOR TO GET OUT, THERE WAS A SOUND. I ONLY OPENED IT ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE WAY AND SQUEEZED OUT. THE DOOR WAS NOW HANGING VISIBLY WRONG, AND HAD PUSHED IN THE SHEET METAL OF THE BODY PANEL IN FRONT OF IT. NOW I ONLY USE THE 1 OTHER DOOR, AND I KEEP THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKED. THE BODY SHOP OWNER SAID THAT HE HAD WORKED ON QUITE A FEW JUST THE SAME AS MINE, HE EVEN FINISHED MY STATEMENT TO HIM WHEN HE HEARD CHRYSLER CONVERTIBLE DOOR PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD! BODYSHOP GUY SAID A NEW DOOR NEEDED AND ITS EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #750158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dillerica, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGES ARE BECOMING DISTORTED AND WILL NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO OPEN/CLOSE DOOR. AN AUTOBODY SHOP WELDED COMPONENTS TO REINFORCE DOOR, BUT WELDING FAILED 6 MONTHS LATER. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #885231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Mills, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THERMOSTAT WAS STICKING, DEALER REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Mills, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, IT EXPERIENCED HARSH DOWNSHIFTS AND UPSHIFTS, WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AND THERE WAS A HARD SHIFT FROM SECOND TO FIRST, DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A FULL REFUND SINCE THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM AND BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE UNDER WARRANTY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Mills, MI
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
ALARM WENT OFF ON ITS OWN, DEALER CHECKED THE HOOD PIN SWITCH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomington, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S DOOR COMING OFF HINGES AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE BECAUSE VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #881958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomington, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR GETS STUCK OPEN, AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT SHUT. THIS IS DUE TO ENGINEERED STRUCTURE OF DOOR, AND PANEL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER STATES DOOR WAS REPAIRED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Billerica, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS BREAKING AT HINGE AWAY FROM BODY OF VEHICLE. EVERY TIME DOOR IS OPENED AND SHUT IT DROPS MORE. TO ENTER AND EXIT VEHICLE HAS TO BE DONE THROUGH PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALR HAS BEEN OCNTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #878424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alsip, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE TRYING TO OPEN DOOR PASSANGER'S DOOR FELL OFF ITS HINGES. MECHANIC NOTICED UPON VISUAL INSPECTION THAT THERE WAS RUST PRESENT WHICH WAS AFFECTING STRUCTURE OF BODY. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR EXPERIENCED SAME SOUNDS AND PROBLEMS AS THE OTHER DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #877548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #733412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quincy, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HINGE PIN FELL OUT. LOCAL DEALER SOLD AND INSTALLED REPLACEMENT. SUSPECTED RUST CAUSED FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #732632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut Creek, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF IN THE RAIN. VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. FELT LIKE A TRUCK & HARD TO STEER. TOOK TO A DEALERSHIP & INDICATED BELT DID NOT FIT IN GROOVE PROPERLY. SHIELD INSTALLED ON BELT TO PREVENT PROBLEM FROM REOCCURRING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #865453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
ON MAKING A LEFT TURN, IN TRAFFIC, FROM A DEAD STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TIE ROD END PULLED APART, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PLOWED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, NARROWLY MISSING OTHER VEHICLES, AND THROUGH SHEER LUCK, WITHOUT INJURY TO ANYONE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY.NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN A MULTIPLE FATALITY ACCIDENT. THIS CAR HAS SUPPOSEDLY BEEN LUBRICATED AT 4,000 MILE INTERVALS, AT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THE MOST RECENT LUBE JOBS WERE 04/22/1999 AT 38,090 MILES, 09/09/1999 AT 42,615 MILES, AND 01/27/2000 AT 46,718 MILES. THE FALILURE OF THE TIE ROD END OCCURED 05/10/2000 AT 49,748 MILES. AS OF THIS DATE, CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS FAILED TO INVESTIGATE THIS NEAR FATAL INCIDENT. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ABOUT MAY 12, 2000. I WAS GIVEN A CASE REFERENCE NUMBER OF :717-1415 . I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM CHRYSLER SINCE THEN. I WILL CONTACT THEM AGAIN, AS I CONSIDER THIS A VERY SERIOUS FAILURE, THAT COULD EASILY HAVE COST SEVERAL LIVES. YOUR HELP IN INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I HAVE THE PART THAT FAILED. I CAN EMAIL YOU A SCANNED IMAGE OF THE FAILED TIE ROD END. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #724731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.