1990 Chrysler Lebaron Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission2528.1%
- Electrical1011.2%
- Engine910.1%
- Airbags89.0%
- Brakes66.7%
- Suspension66.7%
- Interior & seats55.6%
- Visibility44.5%
- Exterior lighting33.4%
- Powertrain (other)33.4%
- Seat belts22.2%
- Tires & wheels22.2%
- Heating & air conditioning22.2%
- Body & structure11.1%
- Other / unspecified11.1%
- Steering11.1%
- Driver assistance11.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER MY WARRANTY OF 70,000/7YEAR. I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. BOTH POWER WINDOW MOTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE EXTERIOR PAINT IS ERODING AT AN ALARMING RATE. IS THE CHRYSLER MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THESE DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE? AM I ENTITLED TO ANY COMPENSATION FOR THESE FAULTY MECHANISMS THAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR? I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN, BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THESE MISFORTURNES HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY OF 70,000 MILES. THE CAR IS FALLING APART IN THE INTERIOR AND THE EXTERIOR. THE CAR IS MAINTENANCED EVERY 2500 MILES WITH OIL AND LUBE CHANGES.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL FOR THE GAS COVER GASKET AND WAS REPLACED WITH SILICONE! SILICONE CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS! THE LIFTER HAS A BAD TICKING TO IT! AND AN OCCASSIONAL SPARK KNOCK! THE STRUTS DO NOT WEAR WELL AND TEND TO GIVE OUT AFTER 5,000 MILES!
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS LISTED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 5730. VALVE COVER HAS ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET. *AK FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. *YH
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR AXEL FAILED.
REAR TORSION BAR FAILED, AFFECTING VEHICLE'S STABILITY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS BECAUSE THE BOLT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, THE SEAT ANCHOR BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS INTO THE REAR SEAT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
REAR SEAT, BOTH SIDE WINDOWS DO NOT WORK DUE TO THE POWER WINDOWS MOTORS FAILING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHEN TRAVELING ON THE ROAD WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK
WHEN TURNING ON LIGHTS COVERS ON LIGHTS WILL NOT OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
PAINT CONTINUES TO PEEL FROM TOP SURFACES
THE ODOMETER NEEDLE HAS BROKEN INSIDE AND I CANNOT REPAIR IT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
NEITHER FRONT SHOULDER HARNESSES LOCK WHEN VEHICLE STOPS SUDDENLY.
IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER SEAT BELTS THAT TAKATA HAS AND CAN NOT GET ANY ASSISTANCE FROM MANUFACTURER OR DEALER. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS BALD WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR HOME. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
BRAKES FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON TWO OCCASIONS AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BURNED WIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ON BOTH OCCASIONS, AND MADE REPAIRS. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ALSO. *YH
THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS BALD WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR HOME. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN 1992 THE FRAMING ON THE CONVERTIBLE WENT THRU THE ROOF CAUSING TEARS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOOSE LUG NUTS CAUSED LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO COME OFF OF CAR, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE, AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARS, THEN TURN SIGNAL AND POWER WINDOWS BECOME INOPERATIVE, DEALER CAN'T FIX. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT/NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING COLLISION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .