RoadVitals

1987 Chrysler Lebaron

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.
42
Latest Jun 26, 2013
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 Apr 14, 2008
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.
3
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.
12
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Chrysler Lebaron, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and seat belts categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 10 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

  • Engine1221.8%
  • Fuel system916.4%
  • Seat belts814.5%
  • Electrical610.9%
  • Steering59.1%
  • Transmission35.5%
  • Body & structure35.5%
  • Driver assistance35.5%

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
08E033000

SUSPENSION

Apr 14, 2008
6,903 units potentially affected
The defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
The risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov
88V105000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Jul 1, 1988
580,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
87V107000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Jul 16, 1987
4,400 units potentially affected
The defect: DRIVERS FLOORMAT MISPOSITIONED SUCH AS TO INTERFERE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
The risk: FLOORMAT MAY RESTRICT RETURN OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THEIDLE POSITION.
The remedy: FLOORMAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED MAT TO ELIMINATE THE INTERFERENCE.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE91065ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING GEAR BOLTS LOOSEN

Opened Apr 16, 1991
Closed Aug 30, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
EA91010ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE

Opened Dec 10, 1990
Closed Dec 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN
PE89168ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TIRE/FRAME INTERFERENCE

Opened Sep 29, 1989
Closed Jan 30, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 42
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 26, 2013
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, SMOKE BEGAN TO APPEAR FROM RIGHT DRIVER SIDE, ONCE THE TURN WAS MADE MORE SMOKE BEGAN TO BUILD UP. VEHICLE PULLED INTO PRIVATE PROPERTY WERE FLAMES BEGAN TO BECOME APPARENT ON DRIVER SIDE, FLAMES BEGAN TO MOVE TOWARDS PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO ASSIST IN EXTINGUISH FLAMES. ONCE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS SEEN ON DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE WHERE A MAJORITY OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM(ALTERNATOR POWER REGULATOR, BATTERY) IS LOCATED, FIRE PROGRESSED TOWARD ALT, POWER STEER, COMPRESSOR WHERE IT SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE BUT NOT EXTENSIVE NEAR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. PRIOR TO FIRE/SMOKE, ENGINE OPERATIONS WAS NORMAL, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO CHECK OIL LIGHT, NO OVERHEATING, NO POWER LOSS, VEHICLE PERFORMED WELL UP INTO THE FIRE BEGAN TO SPREAD AND FURTHER DAMAGE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LOUD POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD AT THE START OF THE FIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521814
Incident
Jun 25, 2013
Mileage
98,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 25, 2002
Fire reported

ON MONDAY, JULY 22, 2002, APPROXIMATELY 6:00PM, AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM LIMA, OHIO RETURNING TO MY HOME IN LAKEVIEW, OHIO, I PROCEEDED TO UNLOAD MY 3 GRANDCHILDREN AND TWO CHILDREN AND MYSELF INTO THE HOUSE. WHEN PUTING AWAY THE GROCERIES, WITHIN A MATTER OF SECONDS, WE ALL HEARD TWO BOOMS AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW OF THE KITCHEN AND SAW MY 1987 CHRYSLER LEBARON ENGOLFED IN SMOKE, COULD NOT EVEN SEE ANY FLAMES AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF ALL THE SMOKE. ALL THE CHILDREN (5) AND MYSELF HAD TO EVACUATE MY HOME BECAUSE OF ALL THE SMOKE AND FUMES, RAN DOWN THE STREET, SOMEONE DOWN THE STREET CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THEN WHEN I COULD GET TO A PHONE, I DID. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF INDICATED THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO A CAR THAT WAS ABOUT TWO BLOCKS OVER, WAS THE SAME YEAR AND EVERYTHING. THE CHIEF ALSO SAID THAT HE HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK ASAP ABOUT ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE ON THIS. IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, AND PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AND CALL ME AT THE HOME NUMBER INDICATED OR EMAIL MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AT THE EMAIL ADDRESS INDICATED.*JB

NHTSA ID
764731
Incident
Jul 22, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2001

CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUMES.THERE'S MANUFACTURER'S RECALL # 480 FOR FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE. *AK THE DEALER POINTED OUT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE BUT COULD FIX THE PROBLEM IF THE CONSUMER PAYS. *YH

NHTSA ID
878680
Incident
Nov 9, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Jun 23, 2000

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT LATCHES WILL NOT GO INTO THE BUCKLE ASSMEBLY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
864157
Body & structure
Filed Apr 6, 2000
Crash reported

CAR SOLD TO ME WITH A CRACKED/BROKEN FRAME, INFORMED BY RELIABLE SOURCES THAT SALE WAS ILLEGAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
721126
Engine
Filed Jul 19, 1999
Fire reported

ENGINE FAILED RESULTING IN FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA ID
547422
Incident
Jun 3, 1999
Steering
Filed Jul 13, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

STEERING FAILED,RESULTING IN A CRASH / UNABLE TO DIRECT VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
708554
Incident
Apr 18, 1999
Engine
Filed Jun 21, 1999

WHILE LOOKING OVER THE ENGINE NOTICED THAT TIMING BELTS WAS WORN OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. OUTSIDE EDGE OF BELT IS EATEN AWAY BY LIP ON TENSION PULLEY UNTIL BELT IS DESTROYED. *ADJ

NHTSA ID
840552
Incident
Feb 1, 1999

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.

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.

Volume 2, Issue

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations

22867

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Inspect and Return: Solenoid Module - Transmission You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of follow ing part numbers:52120000AA, 52119435AF, 05078709AB. See attachments for identifying suspect stock. 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 Lebaron by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003100—
1997200—
1996300—
1995750142.9
19941020143.7
1993660142.0
1992782159.3
1991635159.2
1990683054.7
1989493471.4
1988321152.9
1987Viewing423367.4
1986255473.0
1985106465.5
1984722—
1983242—
1982141—
1981020—
1980010—
1979101—
1978231—
1977020—
1976020—

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.