FaultScore

BMW 540I vs Chrysler Lebaron

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW 540I Chrysler Lebaron
Complaints on file 340 832
Model years covered 1994–2025 1978–2003
Worst model year 2018 1995
Best model year 1994 1993
Crashes reported 26 79
Fires reported 7 57
Injuries reported 14 48
Deaths reported 0 4
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Transmission & Drivetrain
Share of complaints involving harm 13.8% 22.6%

BMW 540I by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 70 20.6%
Airbags 49 14.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain 23 6.8%
Brakes 21 6.2%
Steering 17 5.0%
Seats 17 5.0%
Seat Belts 16 4.7%

Chrysler Lebaron by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 106 12.7%
Body & Structure 84 10.1%
Airbags 57 6.9%
Suspension 56 6.7%
Brakes 52 6.3%