Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Chrysler LeBaron, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 25% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 21% |
| Power train | 2 | 7% |
| Structure | 2 | 7% |
| Tires | 1 | 4% |
| Power train | 1 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 4% |
| Parking brake | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 CHRYSLER LEBARON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWENTY INCHES OF TREAD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FIRESTONE RESPONSE SE (P18575R14) TIRE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON JUNE 15, 2007, WHILE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THE DRIVER WAS SECURING A GATE WHEN THE SELECTOR LEVER IN HIS 1986 CHRYSLER LEBARON MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS STRIKING THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER DIED FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WITH ENGINE RUNNING, DRIVER EXITED VEHICLE TO OPEN GATE. TRANSMISSION SELF SHIFTED FROM APPARENT PARK INTO REVERSE AND VEHICLE BACKED OVER DRIVER AND KILLED HIM.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER STATES RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRONIC PANEL CLUSTER CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT OVER LOAD DUE TO FAILURE OF SWITCHING TRANSISTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A STALLING PROBLEM , WHEN THIS HAPPENS POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE DEFECT WHICH HAS OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, AND IT WAS GRADUALLY BECOMING WORSE. CONSUMER HAS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN DURING THE DAY, THEN PARKED IN RESIDENCE GARAGE. APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS LATER, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE MARSHALL INVESTIGATED AND SAID IT WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ENGINE ELE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
RACK AND PINION STEERING FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED POOR STEERING AND VIBRATION. ALSO, THERE IS SOME KNOCKING NOISE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1986 Chrysler LeBaron. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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
Fix: 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.
A SERVICE REPLACEMENT DRIVERS SEAT CUSHION (MANUAL SEAT TYPE) MAY CONTAIN WRONG CUSHION WITH A BRACE THAT COULD INTERFERE WITH POWER SEAT ADJUSTER MECHANISM AND CAUSE STRESS ON THE FRAME.
Risk: SEAT FRAME COULD FRACTURE AND RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTREARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT BACK.
Fix: REPLACE FRAME WITH PROPER POWER SEAT FRAME.
BATTERY CAP VENTS MAY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH PLASTIC FLASHING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BUILD UP OF INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE COULD OCCUR WHICH
Fix: REWORK BATTERIES BY PROBING BOTH VENT ORIFICES TO ELIMINATE ANY VENT OBSTRUCTION.
A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRONIC PANEL CLUSTER MAY BE SUBJECTED TO AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT OVERLOAD DUE TO FAILURE OF A SWITCHING TRANSISTOR.
Fix: MODIFY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BY REPLACING THE RESISTOR WITH A FUSED RESISTOR THAT WILL NOT IGNITE IF OVERLOADED.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 7 of them (25%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.