Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 19 | 23% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 10% |
| Air bags | 8 | 10% |
| Visibility | 7 | 9% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 7% |
| Structure | 5 | 6% |
| Suspension | 5 | 6% |
| Seats | 4 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER LEBARON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES BECAME HARD TO APPLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: NUMBER: 90V1620
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER LEBARON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL THEN INTO SECOND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR UN
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ARE POOR SHIFTING QUALITIES AND SUDDEN LOCKS INTO SECOND GEAR.ALSO THE TRANSMISSION NEVER SHIFTS INTO THIRD GEAR. THIS ADDS MORE STRESS TO THE ENGINE.I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AB
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS SMELLING GASOLINE INSIDE OF VEHICLE, GOT OUT AND TRIED TO LOCATE FROM WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. HE HAD BEEN SMELLING THIS ODOR FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN, FINALLY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, CAUSING $ 700.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED BY A AFTERMARKET CAR CARE CENTER. POSSIBILITY OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION,OR DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND WORKMAN SHIP.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, AND AFTER THE TURN IS COMPLETED, TURN SIGNALS WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED TURN SIGNAL SWITCH, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAI
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP AND NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SOUNDING FUNNY. WHEN PUTTING GEAR INTO A SHIFT POSITION, IT DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE. THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID INSIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS AT R
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
MISMATCHED PARKING BRAKE CABLE LENGTHS TO THE REAR WHEELS REDUCES BRAKING ABILITY OF ONE OF THE REAR WHEELS, IN VIOLATION OF FMVSS 105.
Risk: INSUFFICIENT BRAKING ABLITY COULD RESULT IN INADVERTENTVEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE MISMATCHED PARKING BRAKE CABLE WITH ONE OF CORRECT LENGTH.
THE OWNER'S MANUAL INCORRECTLY STATES THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED UNTIL THE LOCK CONTROL HANDLE HAS BEEN PULLED UP. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CAN BE OPENED BY THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE EVEN IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED.
Risk: THE ERROR IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL MAY LEAD A FRONT SEATPASSENGER TO MISTAKENLY OPEN THE CAR DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION,BELIEVING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN IF THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. TH
Fix: NOTIFY THE VEHICLE OWNERS OF THE ERROR IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND INFORM THEM OF THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRONT DOOR LOCK SYSTEM.
THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Risk: AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
Fix: REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.
FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 19 of them (23%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 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.