RoadVitals

1991 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.
84
Latest Aug 26, 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.
3
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.
1
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.
6
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 84 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Chrysler Imperial, most frequently naming the brakes, suspension and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 42 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

  • Brakes5655.4%
  • Suspension1211.9%
  • Fuel system55.0%
  • Airbags44.0%
  • Engine44.0%
  • Steering44.0%
  • Transmission33.0%
  • Electrical33.0%

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

3 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

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Jul 11, 1991
130,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
The risk: LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy: REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Aug 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10898948
Incident
Jun 20, 2016
Brakes
Filed Dec 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VARIOUS ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING INDICATORS RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS ORDERED ON A SPECIFIC DATE AND WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART FROM THAT DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A SECOND DEALER, BUT THE PART WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,069.

NHTSA ID
10809172
Incident
Jul 13, 2015
Mileage
69,069 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 2015

MY CAR'S ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED. YOU HAVE TO STEP REALLY HARD ON THE BRAKE PAD TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THE DEALER HAS TESTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ABS PUMP IS FAILED AND COVERED BY A FEDERAL RECALL 96V099000. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED IN THE 90'S DURING THE RECALL, BUT IT'S FAILED AGAIN. CHRYSLER HAS GUARANTEED THAT THE RECALL WILL BE HONORED REGARDLESS OF WHEN (FOREVER BASICALLY) OR WHO OWNS THE CAR. THE DEALER HAS HAD MY CAR NOW 3 MONTHS STILL WAITING ON PARTS. PLEASE HELP STEP IN AND MAKE CHRYSLER HONOR THE RECALL AND FIX MY CAR.

NHTSA ID
10790014
Incident
Aug 4, 2015
Mileage
69,070 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,971. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN

NHTSA ID
10779105
Incident
Sep 30, 2015
Mileage
199,971 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 23, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND HE HAD HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10584517
Incident
Feb 1, 2012
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 16, 2013

1991 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN APRIL OF 2010, SHE BEGAN HAVING BRAKE ISSUES. UPON RESEARCH, IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION THAT CHRYSLER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE ABS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE ABS PUMP MODULE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 271.25. THE NEW ABS MODULE STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN JUNE OF 2012, STARTING WITH SMALL CHIRPING NOISES THEN GROWING LOUDER INTO SQUEALS AND GRINDING FROM THE ABS PUMP MOTOR ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE PUMP HAD FAILED AND A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER CALLED CHRYSLER TO INFORM THEM, THE PUMP THAT WAS INSTALLED IN 2010 HAD FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. WHEN THE CONSUMER'S SON PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE PARKING LOT, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST 90% OF ITS ABILITY TO STOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ABS PUMP MOTOR WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. AFTER CONTACTING CHRYSLER AGAIN, THEY AUTHORIZED ANOTHER ABS PUMP TO BE INSTALLED. AFTER THE INSTALLATION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT STARTED ILLUMINATING OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE DEALER RESOLVED THE ISSUE BY HAVING THEM KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR WEEKS AT A TIME, AND WE THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE CONSUMER LEARNED TO DEAL WITH THE LIGHT, UNTIL ONE DAY, WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING, THE ABS PUMP BEGAN MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. CHRYSLER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP OF HER CHOICE. THE CONSUMERS MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY ABS PUMP. WHEN CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED AGAIN, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THEY HAD ONE. CHRYSLER CLAIMED, THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PUMP UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY WERE CLOSING THE CASE.

NHTSA ID
10556686
Incident
Apr 1, 2010
Steering
Filed Jul 6, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LINKAGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

NHTSA ID
10341622
Incident
Jun 26, 2010
Mileage
82,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 2010

EMAILED REC'D ON BEHALF OF (NE) ISSUE WITH CHRYSLER CORPORATION CAR WARRANTY FOR HIS 1991 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ABS BRAKE REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR IS VEHICLE PROPERLY AND THEY CHARGED HIM FOR LABOR THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED HE ALMOST RAN A RED LIGHT THREE WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THE BRAKES HAD FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER FINALLY WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT AND ABS PUMP. THE CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER SENT A CHECK FOR $700.00, HE IS REQUESTING THE FULL AMOUNT FOR THE ABS REPAIRS.( RECALL 96V099000) *JB

NHTSA ID
10336961
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

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
1991Viewing843156.5
19901082258.8
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.