Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron, and it carries 3 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 | 14 | 22% |
| Air bags | 11 | 17% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 9% |
| Power train | 6 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 5% |
| Seats | 2 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING SEVERE BURNS TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RELATED RECALL AND CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING REMEDY 89V237000 WHO ADVISED THE RECALL WAS TOO OLD AND T
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
KEY CAME OUT OF IGNITION WHILE CAR STILL RUNNING AND ABLE TO BE PUT INTO GEAR. CAR ROLLED BACKWARD KNOCKING DOWN DRIVER CAUSING FATAL INJURIES. DT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 MPH THE VEHICLE TRAVELING AHEAD SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP, CAUSING A REAR IN COLLISION BY CONSUMER. CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND A PUDDY LIKE SUBSTAINS FROM A
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WAS FRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SUDDENLY MY SEAT BROKE I SWERVED AL OVER THE ROAD AND FINALLY GOT CONTROL AN PULLED OVER AND FOUN OUT THAT THE FRAME OF THE SEAT BROKE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seats
WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE. *AK RECALL 89V237000 TO REPLACE GASKET COVER. *TT
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WELDS ON DRIVER SIDE DOORS ARE MALFUNCTION MAKEING THE DOOR HARD TO CLOSE AND CRUSHING THE FENDER. CONVERTIBLE TOP WILL NOT LATCH DOWN. ALL POWER WINDOWS ON THE CAR ARE MALFUNCTIONING( MOTORS AND GEARS MALFUNCTION) WITH
NHTSA complaint: Structure
ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD COVER GASKET LEAKS- NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL #467 -(SHOULD BE INCLUDED). *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1989 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.
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
THE BONDED DISC BRAKE LININGS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE SHOES DUE TO A BONDING DEFICIENCY WHICH MAY ALLOW CORROSION DEGRADATION OF THE BOND ATTACHMENT.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE DISC BRAKE LININGS RESULTS IN ANINCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE.
Fix: REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR LININGS ON VEHICLES WITH 15 INCH BRAKES. REPLACE ONLY THE REAR BRAKE LININGS ON VEHICLES WITH 14 INCH BRAKES BECAUSE THE FRONT LININGS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE RIVETED.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 14 of them (22%). There are 3 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 1989 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 73/100. 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.