Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 24 | 25% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 7% |
| Suspension | 6 | 6% |
| Air bags | 5 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 4% |
| Visibility | 4 | 4% |
| Seats | 4 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 NO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DT: 1990, CHRYSLER, LEBARON TRANS AXLE FLOOR SHIFTER PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM. TOOK THE KEY OUT AND WITHOUT PUTTING VEHICLE INTO PARK THE CAR WILL ROLL EVEN WHEN THE MOTOR IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME CONSUMER
NHTSA complaint: Power train
REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE PERTAINING TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. (NAR) *PH *CB
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 TRANSMISSION
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 I
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, AT ANY SPEED IT WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOICE AND SOMETIMES WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN ( STEERING WHEEL WOULD JUST STOP SPINNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING THE WHEEL AND WOULD NEE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1990 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.
AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES MAY NOT CONTAIN DIFFUSER HOLES BETWEEN THE IGNITOR AND PROPELLANT CHAMBERS.
Risk: AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT SITUATION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DRIVER INJURY.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WITH PROPERLY MACHINED MODULES.
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.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 24 of them (25%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 1990 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 71/100. 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.