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 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Chrysler New Yorker, and it carries 4 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 | 25 | 22% |
| Fuel system | 22 | 19% |
| Steering | 12 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 9% |
| Power train | 9 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 6% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
ALWAYS OVERHEATED,WOULD SMELL HOT RUBBER(WIRING?)THEN COULDN'T START AND PUT IN NEW IGNITION(EARLIER NEW SHIFT COLUMN)2OTHER IGNITIONS FOLLOWED.(INITIAL$266.00)CAUSED KEY FAILURES? SUDDEN ALARMS.WHEN DOOR KEY FAILED,LOCK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I AM REPORTING A PROBLEM WHICH MAY RELATE TO ACCELERATION DUE TO COMPUTER FAILURE. MY 1991 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER REVVED UP CONSIDERABLY AS I SAT IN NEUTRAL AFTER TRAVELING AT 45 TO 50 MPH FOR 7 HOURS. I WAS DRIVING FROM RI
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED ONE YEAR AGO HAD RECALL 96V099000 REPAIR WORK DONE ON THE ABS. SHE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS NOW. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STOPPING. THE DEAL
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I HAVE A 1992 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER. I WAS DRIVING ON WILBETH RD., AKRON, OH AT A VERY SLOW RATE APPROX. 25 M.P.H. WHICH WAS THE SPEED LIMIT. I HIT A POTHOLE AND MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I HAVE INJURIES DUE TO THAT ACCIDEN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BROADSIDE, AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHILE DEPLOYING STEERING WHEEL COVER CAME OFF AND HIT THE DRIVER IN THE STERNUM AND INJURED THE DRI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM ON 1991 CHRYSLER NEW YORKERS. *MR *SC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
BLACK SMOKE AND LARGE FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THE FUEL RAIL FAILED. *AK WHILE PARKED IN THE PARKING
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION KEEPS BUCKLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE DRIVER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE JERKS REALLY HARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1991 Chrysler New Yorker. 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.
WATER LEAKING UNDER WINDSHIELD COWL IN AREA ABOVE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR BLOCK RESULTS IN CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR TERMINALS.
Risk: CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR TERMINALS INCREASES ELECTRICALRESISTANCE, LEADING TO OVERHEATING AND POSSBLE IGNITION OF THE WIRING CONNECTORSAND INSULATION, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE COWL AREA.
Fix: THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR BLOCK WILL BE REPLACED, AND A MASTIC PATCH APPLIED TO SEAL THE COWL AGAINST WATER ENTRY. DAMAGED WIRE CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE MAY LEAK OR DETACH AT ITS CRIMPED END FITTING RESULTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Risk: FLUID DISCHARGE EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE LOSS OF BOTH THEANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND HYDRAULIC ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, RESULTING ININCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF BRAKE LOCKUP AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE
Fix: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WITH A HOSE OF DIFFERENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
Risk: LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 56 | 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 116 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 25 of them (22%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
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 1991 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.