Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Chrysler New Yorker, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 36 | 39% |
| Power train | 21 | 23% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 5% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
| Seats | 2 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS FROM DRIVE TO LOW AND STAYS IN LOW UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
CAR JURKS BAD WHEN STOPPING,NOT SURE IF IF IS BRAKE OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRASH. MANUFACTURER'S UNIT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
DRIVER SEAT BROKE FROM BACK TO BOTTOM ON RIGHT HAND SIDE, CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE. DEALER CLAIMED SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHRYSLER OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF REPAIRS. *AK *ML
NHTSA complaint: Seats
FRONT POWER TRAIN WILL NOT ACCEPT SNOW CHAINS, SO STATE IN OWNER'S MANUAL. MANUFACTURE CONTACTED. NO REMEDY AVAILABLE AUTHORIZED BY MANUAFACTURER. NOT BEING ABLE TO USE SNOW CHAINS (SNOW TIRES NOT LEGAL) IN MOUNTAINOUS T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE STALLED, AND THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF NOISE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP FIVE TIMES, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 36 of them (39%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (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 77/100, 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: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. 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.