RoadVitals

1990 Chrysler Imperial

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
108
Latest Feb 9, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 13, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 108 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Chrysler Imperial, most frequently naming the brakes, suspension and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 41 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes9278.6%
  • Suspension54.3%
  • Fuel system43.4%
  • Interior & seats32.6%
  • Powertrain (other)21.7%
  • Transmission21.7%
  • Driver assistance21.7%
  • Electrical21.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Jun 13, 1996
321,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number 685View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Nov 1, 1991
80,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE MAY LEAK OR DETACH AT ITS CRIMPED END FITTING RESULTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
The risk: FLUID DISCHARGE EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE LOSS OF BOTH THEANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND HYDRAULIC ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, RESULTING ININCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF BRAKE LOCKUP AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WITH A HOSE OF DIFFERENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95016ClosedEngineering Analysis

ABS BRAKING MALFUNCTION

Opened May 26, 1995
Closed Jun 24, 1996

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 96V099000
PE91094ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKING PERFORMANCE LOSS

Opened Jul 5, 1991
Closed Nov 26, 1991

ABS SYSTEM LEAKS ARE ALLEGED BY CONSUMERS WHICH RESULT IN COMPLETE BRAKEFAILURE. SEVERRE LEAKING OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE SITS FOR SEVERAL HOURSRESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID. LEAKS ARE APPEARING IN BOTH THE HIGHAND LOW PRESSURE LINES POSSIBLY DUE TO A FAULTY SEAL OR COUPLING. ONECOMPLAINT ALLEGES FLUID BEING FORCED OUT OF BRAKE RESERVOIR WHEN ENGINE ISSTARTED, POSSIBLE POINTING TO A FAULTY CHECK VALVE IN THE ACCUMULATOR.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 91V191000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES EVENTUALLY RESPONDED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10825120
Incident
Nov 14, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULAR PUMP FAILED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED SINCE IT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A BOSCH ABS SYSTEM PUMP. THE RECALL WAS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BENDIX ABS SYSTEM PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10469498
Incident
Jul 27, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 2012
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO A SCHOOL BUS BUT INSTEAD, CRASHED AGAINST THE CURB. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,565. UPDATED 7/26/12 *CN

NHTSA ID
10463377
Incident
Jun 18, 2012
Mileage
96,565 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 20, 2012

THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE PRESSURE. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THE PART INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED BY CHRYSLER, AND THAT CHRYSLER WAS TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. HOWEVER, I'VE BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. LOOKING ONLINE I'VE FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON MANY WEBSITES OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME OF WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS, MANY PAID FOR REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS PART IS KNOWN TO FAIL TO AN EXTENT IT HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT THEY HAVE MANAGED TO AVOID REPLACING A HUGE PERCENTAGE OF FAILED PARTS ON CARS BE EXCLUDING VINS FROM THE RECALL. MY CAR, AND HUNDREDS JUST LIKE IT HAVE A PART THAT IS KNOWN TO FAIL AND CAUSE INJURY, OR WORSE, AND THEY HAVE FOUND SOME LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO PUT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AT RISK, OR COST THEM OUT OF POCKET FOR THEIR MISTAKE. HERE IS ONE OF THE WEBSITES THAT MAKES THE POINT: HTTP://ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/1990/CHRYSLER/IMPERIAL/SERVICE_BRAKES_HYDRAULIC/PROBLEM.ASPX *JS

NHTSA ID
10455933
Incident
Apr 20, 2012
Mileage
89,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PROPERLY BRAKE AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE STORE, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS ADDRESS BY THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTI LOCK). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000.

NHTSA ID
10455921
Incident
Apr 20, 2012
Mileage
88,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2010

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. IN JANUARY 2010, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT WHEN SHE SAID THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WHEN SHE PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR BARELY SLOWED DOWN EVEN WITH MAXIMUM FORCE BEING APPLIED. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT. I ACTUALLY DROVE IT TO THE DEALER TAKING EXTREME CARE TO MAINTAIN ?A LOT? OF SPACE BETWEEN ME AND VEHICLES IN FRONT. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE PUMP HAD FAILED. HOWEVER THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR?S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 1990 IMPERIAL ANTI LOCK BRAKE RECALL THAT I FOUND LISTED ON THE INTERNET. THEY INDICATED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THIS FAILURE WOULD BE ~$4,000. THE GOOD NEWS IS THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME THEIR NORMAL $79 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE BECAUSE THEY WERE EMBARRASSED ABOUT THE COST OF THIS REPAIR FOR A FAILURE THAT IS IDENTICAL TO THAT COVERED BY A RECALL THAT RESULTED IN A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE PUMP ASSEMBLY ON THE IMPERIALS THAT WERE COVERED. I AM A LOYAL MOPAR MAN BEGINNING WITH MY 1966 SPORT FURY, DRIVING DODGE CARS AND TRUCKS SINCE AND CURRENTLY HAVE A 2006 CHRYSLER 300C. I AM SURPRISED AND SADDENED WITH THE STANCE OF CHRYSLER AND THIS ISSUE WITH MY IMPERIAL. THIS CAR IS STILL A DREAM TO DRIVE AND RIDE IN. IT JUST DOESN'T STOP NOW! *TR

NHTSA ID
10319088
Incident
Jan 15, 2010
Mileage
141,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SLOPE, HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT HE HAD REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81000.

NHTSA ID
10289454
Incident
Oct 17, 2009
Mileage
81,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 2009

I HAVE A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL WITH BENDIX 10 ABS BRAKES. CAN I STILL GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THEM?? ITS SUPPOSED TO BE LIFETIME WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10282867
Incident
Sep 2, 2009
Mileage
107,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23027

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Return: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock packaged before 2016/07/31 (31 July, 2016)of follow ing part numbers:68176457AF, 68176459AF. Please return suspect parts back to your facing depot using Return Code 02, before 13 September, 2016.

23137

EQUIPMENT

Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part numbers: 1ZA04DX9AE, 1ZA05DX9AE. See attachments for identifying suspect stock. Replacement part can be obtained by reordering the same part number. Please return suspect parts back to your facing depot using Return Code 02, before 12 September, 2016.

23104

EQUIPMENT; EXTERIOR LIGHTING

05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 05182535AD . See attachments for identifying suspect stock. Please return suspect parts back to your facing depot using Return Code 02, before 12 September, 2016.

Volume 2, Issue

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations

20244

EQUIPMENT

CBXDP361AA Return: Spacer Kit - Visor You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock of part number CBXDP361AA. Replacement part number is CBXDP361AB w hich is in stock and available for order. Please return suspect parts back to your facing depot using Return Code 02, before 16 September, 2016.

22958

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

1NT30XDVAC - Inspect and Return: Panel - Instrument Panel You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 1N T30XDVAC. See attachments for identifying suspect stock. Replacement part can be obtained by reordering the same part number. Please return suspect parts back to your facing depot using Return Code 02, before 07 September, 2016.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chrysler Imperial by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1995101
1994301
1993351250.1
1992492152.0
1991843156.5
1990Viewing1082258.8
1982010
1981010
1975020
1974040
1972010
1971030
1970010
1969100
1967080
1966100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.