1993 Chrysler LeBaron

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

72/100

Worth a look

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

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Chrysler LeBaron, 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Power train	18	23%
Suspension	13	17%
Electrical system	8	10%
Engine and engine cooling	6	8%
Service brakes	5	6%
Air bags	4	5%
Seats	4	5%
Fuel system	3	4%
Structure	3	4%
Steering	3	4%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

CONTACT STATES: 1993 CHRYSLER LEBARON GASOLINE UNDER CARRIAGE OR LINE DEVELOPED A LEAK IS SUSPECTED. HAS NOT TAKEN THIS TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. JUST NOTICED THIS YESTERDAY. CAN SMELL GAS AND SEE LEAKAGE, INFACT IT L
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

REAR AXLE: REAR CROSS-MEMBER: WELD SEPARATION; INCIDENT #1 7/24/97 MILEAGE 32,640, INCIDENT #2 12/13/04 MILEAGE 70,349. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN. THE SECOND GEAR IS GONE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

TRANSMISSION WENT INTO "LIMP-HOME" MODE (LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR. ALSO SHOWED SLIPPAGE IN R-D SHIFT. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS FAILURE IN INTERNAL VALVING. HE ALSO FOUND A DSCARDED CIGARETTE BET IN THE VALVE BODY. TRANSMI
NHTSA complaint: Power train

CONSUMER STATED THE TORQUE TUBE CRACKS INSIDE OF WELD ON LEFT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH WEAKENS THE TRAILING ARM. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM *YH
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING OCCURRED A COLLISION, RESULTING IN AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, CAUSING DRIVER MINOR FACIAL INJURIES.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FEELS UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

The seven scores

Reliability raw	86	excellent
Longevity est.	78	good
Maintenance	88	excellent
Depreciation	54	average
Performance	50	average
Efficiency	43	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 50% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 47% 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 86: 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 78: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1993 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 1993 Chrysler LeBaron?

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 18 of them (23%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 1993 Chrysler LeBaron reliable?

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.

How long will a 1993 Chrysler LeBaron last?

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 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1993 Chrysler LeBaron?

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.