RoadVitals

1990 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.
68
Latest Aug 26, 2005
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.
0
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.
10
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 68 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron, most frequently naming the transmission, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 44 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

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

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

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Apr 25, 1990
257 units potentially affected
The defect: AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES MAY NOT CONTAIN DIFFUSER HOLES BETWEEN THE IGNITOR AND PROPELLANT CHAMBERS.
The risk: AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT SITUATION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DRIVER INJURY.
The remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WITH PROPERLY MACHINED MODULES.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Dec 27, 1989
634,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
The risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

AirbagsEngine
Filed Aug 26, 2005
Fire reported

DT: THE CALLER SAID HIS FRIEND WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED. NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE, BUT THE CALLER SAID IT STARTED TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. DEALER SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY COULD SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAGS AND ON A OIL LEAK.*AK

NHTSA ID
10134279
Incident
Aug 21, 2005
Mileage
98,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

PAINT CONTINUES TO PEEL FROM TOP SURFACES

NHTSA ID
10069039
Incident
Dec 15, 2002
Filed Oct 17, 2003

CAR IS A LEMON!!!!!!!! *LA

NHTSA ID
10043113
Incident
Jan 5, 1989
Mileage
35,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2003

REAR BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE SHOE. THE LOOSE SHOE WAS STILL IN PLACE CAPTURED BY THE CALIPER. CONSUMER'S 1990 VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 92V017000. DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES. HOWEVER, ONE OF THE BRAKE LININGS SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE AGAIN. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TT

NHTSA ID
564667
Incident
Nov 24, 2001
Mileage
137,205 mi
Transmission
Filed May 15, 2002

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKS INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AND WILL NOT UPSHIFT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME. (LIMP MODE). THERE ARE AT LEAST 32 TSB'S COVERING VARIOUS PROBLEMS ON THE A604/41TE TRANSMISSIONS. I CALLED CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NO RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. ESTIMATED REPAIRS TO DATE ARE $1950 - $2100. THE CAR IS LIKE NEW OTHERWISE, BUT USELESS AS IS.*AK

NHTSA ID
761937
Incident
Mar 10, 2002
Electrical
Filed May 10, 2002

CAR TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES (MORE THAN 20+) OVER LAST 8 MONTHS. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART IN APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IT WON'T. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR AS IT HAS HAPPENED AT 30 MPH AS WELL AS 65. WEATHER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THIS PROBLEM IS SPORADIC - SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY OVER A DISTANCE OF 5 MILES, OTHER TIMES IT WILL RUN FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THEN SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT PROBLEM IS DUE TO IT NOT ACTING UP WHEN THEY HAVE IT. I CALLED THE CHRYSLER GARAGE IN PLYMOUTH, IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME UNLESS THEY ACTUALLY SEE THE PROBLEM HAPPEN. I CANNOT PREDICT WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AND HAVE NO WARNING AHEAD OF TIME. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SCARY WHEN DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH SEMIS.*AK

NHTSA ID
761756
Incident
Apr 29, 2002
Brakes
Filed Nov 26, 2001

A REAR BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE. I FOUND THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME WHILE GREASING THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOOSE SHOE WAS STILL IN PLACE CAPTURED BY THE CALIPER. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL: CAMPAIGN NUMBER 92V017000, BUT MY 1990 VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL SINCE IT EFFECTED 1989 MODELS. HOWEVER, I CONVINCED THE DEALER I DID HAVE THE PROBLEM SINCE I HAD A LINING THAT SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE. THE DEALER REPLACED MY REAR BRAKES AT THAT TIME. I HAVE NO RECORD OF THE SERVICE DATE, AND THE DEALER CLAIMS HE HAS NO RECORD, ALTHOUGH HE ALSO HAS NO RECORD OF THE RECALL SERVICE THAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH WATER COLLECTING IN A REAR WHEEL WELL EITHER. TWO DAYS AGO, I WAS AGAIN GREASING THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THIS VEHICLE AND I DISCOVERED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! ONE OF THE BRAKE LININGS WAS SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE AGAIN! I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, THE ORIGINAL RECALL DID NOT CORRECT ALL THE DEFECTIVE BRAKES. MY 1990 CHRYSLER LEBARON OBVIOUSLY HAD THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH CHRYSLER INSISTED IT EFFECTED ONLY 1989 MODELS AND MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. SECOND, PARTS USED AFTER THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED, STILL EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA ID
754947
Incident
Nov 24, 2001
TransmissionVisibility
Filed May 16, 2001

SEAL WITHIN TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AND IS CAUSING PROBLEM WITH DOWNSHIFTING. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED SEAL.*AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN. *SLC

NHTSA ID
888338
Incident
Jan 19, 1995

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.

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
1990Viewing683054.7
1989493471.4
1988321152.9
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.