1988 Chrysler LeBaron

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

74/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron, and it carries 1 recall. 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Seat belts	6	16%
Steering	5	14%
Engine and engine cooling	5	14%
Air bags	4	11%
Structure	4	11%
Fuel system	3	8%
Power train	2	5%
Seats	2	5%
Steering	1	3%
Unknown or other	1	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

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 complaint: Fuel system

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
NHTSA complaint: Power train

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
NHTSA complaint: Steering

HIT GUARDRAILS, AIRBAG DEPLOYED SEVERELY BURNING NECK/ FACE/EAR AND BRUISING CHEST. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

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 T
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

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

PAINT ON THE VEHICLE IS FADING AWAY. THERE ARE BIG WHITE PATCHES EVERYWHERE.
NHTSA complaint: Structure

LOOSE BOLTS IN STEERING CAUSED STEERING PROBLEMS. ALSO WORN OUT INNER TIE RODS.
NHTSA complaint: Steering

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1988 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.

Suspension 08E033000

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.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	91	excellent
Longevity est.	81	excellent
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	54	average
Performance	47	below average
Efficiency	43	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 68% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 69% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 82% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 19% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 91: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 81: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1988 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron?

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 6 of them (16%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (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.

How long will a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1988 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. 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.