1992 Chrysler LeBaron

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

71/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Chrysler LeBaron, and it carries 2 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Power train	16	18%
Electrical system	10	11%
Suspension	10	11%
Service brakes	10	11%
Seats	7	8%
Air bags	6	7%
Fuel system	5	5%
Latches/locks/linkages	4	4%
Structure	4	4%
Unknown or other	2	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHRYSLER LEBARON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT WAS PEELING FROM THE ROOF AND FRONT BUMPER ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUI
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

MILEAGE INDICATOR NEVER CHANGED WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train

ENGINE BAY CAUGHT FIRE, SUSPECTED FUEL LEAK NEAR FIREWALL. CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

THE DRIVERS DOOR LATCH BROKE WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR HAD TO BE HELD SHUT BY THE DRIVER UNTIL SHE RETURNED HOME. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED*AK. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND KNEE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

WHILE AT A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WAS REARENDED. UPON IMPACT, DRIVERS SEAT BECAME LOOSE AND SHAKY, PARTIALLY DETATCHED FROM ANCHORS. *AK CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES.*JB
NHTSA complaint: Seats

TURN SIGNAL (LEFT) FAILED 3 TIMES; CIGARETTE LIGHTER HASN'T WORKED SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 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.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch 92V070000

THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED AND THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY BE PREVENTED FROM ENGAGING WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.

Risk: IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH ENGAGEMENT FAILS, THE LACK OFENGAGEMENT BY THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COULD CAUSE THE HOOD TO OPEN WHILE THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, REDUCING OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO SEE THE ROAD AN

Fix: ADJUST THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH TO ALLOW THE LATCH ASSEMBLY TO PROPERLY ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar 92V015000

THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.

Risk: FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.

Fix: REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	82	excellent
Longevity est.	77	good
Maintenance	88	excellent
Depreciation	54	average
Performance	50	average
Efficiency	41	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 38% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 41% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 77% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 19% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 82: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 77: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1992 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 88: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1992 Chrysler LeBaron?

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 16 of them (18%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1992 Chrysler LeBaron reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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.

How long will a 1992 Chrysler LeBaron last?

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 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1992 Chrysler LeBaron?

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.