RoadVitals

1988 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.
32
Latest Sep 20, 2000
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.
1
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.
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.
7
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 32 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron, most frequently naming the steering, seat belts and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 13 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

  • Steering616.7%
  • Seat belts616.7%
  • Engine513.9%
  • Airbags411.1%
  • Body & structure411.1%
  • Fuel system25.6%
  • Electrical25.6%
  • Interior & seats25.6%

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

1 campaign 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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 32
Fuel system
Filed Sep 20, 2000

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE MAKING A LEFT TO RIGHT TURN IF GAS TANK IS SLIGHTLY BELOW THE 1/2 TANK MARK. DEALER HAS NO REMEDY & ADVISED CONSUMER TO KEEP THE GAS TANK FULL BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP IS IN THE GAS TANK.*AK

NHTSA ID
871073
Incident
Aug 1, 1999
Transmission
Filed Dec 6, 1999

VEHICLE TRANS DISINGAGED AND BECAME AS IF DROPPED INTO NEUTRAL,WHILE DRIVING. TRANS WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. VEHICLE ROLLED WHEN IN PARK. VEHICLE NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 44,500 MILES. TRANS FAILURE WHILE IN GEAR COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
715686
Incident
Nov 15, 1999
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Sep 29, 1999

THE PAINT CHIPPED OFF MY CAR. THEN THE ENGINE BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THEN MY HEATER WENT OUT, BUT TO START WITH . WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD A POWER STEERING LEAK WHICH WAS FIXED TWICE BUT STILL LEAKS. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THE TIMING BELT BLEW WHEN THE DELER PUT IN THE NEW TIMING BELT THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT. THEY WANT TO FIX THINGS THAT DON'T RELATE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE PROCESS. I WON'T LET THEM. I JUST WANT THE CRUISE CONTROL FIXED. I WOULD ALSO LIKE A NEW PAINT JOB.

NHTSA ID
712442
Incident
Jan 9, 1996
Airbags
Filed Feb 21, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

HIT GUARDRAILS, AIRBAG DEPLOYED SEVERELY BURNING NECK/ FACE/EAR AND BRUISING CHEST. *AK

NHTSA ID
703548
Incident
Feb 18, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Dec 10, 1998

PUSH BUTTON LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER'S LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COMBINATION WOULD NOT UNLOCK, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT WHICH RESULTED IN THE OCCUPANT CUTTING THE SEAT BELT OFF BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
832129
Filed Nov 24, 1998

INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID
831312
Incident
Nov 23, 1998
Steering
Filed Jun 12, 1998

STEERING COLUMN BROKE WHILE DRIVING. PLASTIC AROUND ADJUSTER BROKE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
824254
Body & structure
Filed Apr 22, 1998

PAINT ON THE VEHICLE IS FADING AWAY. THERE ARE BIG WHITE PATCHES EVERYWHERE.

NHTSA ID
534523

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.

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.

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.

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

22892

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Return: Lamp Assy - CHMSL& Cargo Light You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return all stock of follow ing part numbers:55372082AE, 55372082AD, 55372082AC, 55372082AB, 55372082AA. Replacement part number is 55372082AF w hich is in stock and available. 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
1988Viewing321152.9
1987423367.4
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.