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 417 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Chrysler Concorde, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 59 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 43 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 41 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 40 | 10% |
| Seats | 26 | 6% |
| Steering | 24 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 19 | 5% |
| Suspension | 19 | 5% |
| Equipment | 19 | 5% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE L RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1994 CHRSLYER CONCORDE. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE WARMING UP, AND WHEN HE CAME BACK TO THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. ALSO, A RATTLING SOUND EMANATED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. AT TIMES THE CRUISE CONTROL IN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE A 1994 CHRYSLER CONCORDE WHICH HAS AIR-BAG PROBLEM WHICH I WAS TOLD WOULD COST ME $500 TO REPLACE A CLOCK SPRING BY BOB BAKER IN CARLSBAD, CA. I REFUSED STATING THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD TREAT THAT AS A DRIVE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ONE YEAR AGO THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK; THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED RECALL # 98V184000 FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE O-RINGS WERE REPLACED. THE LEAK DID NOT CEASE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SMELLED A STRONG GAS ODOR. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY SHOWED ME GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS I NEED THE CASH FIRST. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
OUR VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE IN MOTION. THIS IS UNSAFE, AND COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, SINCE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLS. SOMETIMES THE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING A RECALL FIXED ON HIS VEHICLE. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ONLY WAY THE RECALL COULD BE FIXED IS IF THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN BEFORE 7:00AM. RECALL CAMPAIGN#04V021000.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1994 Chrysler Concorde. 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BRACKETS CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION HALF-SHAFT COULD PULL OUT OF THE TRANSAXLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE ENGINE CRADLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO IT.
THE RIGHT STEERING TIE ROD CAN RUB THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH RESULTS IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING AND AN INOPERATIVE PARK/STARTER INTERLOCK SYSTEM.
Risk: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAUSING STALLING WHILE IN MOTION OR AN INOPERATIVE PARK/STARTER INTERLOCK SYSTEM, WHICH ALLOWS ENGINE START WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION, MAY RESULT
Fix: INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS BRACKET AND A PLASTIC CONVOLUTED SLEEVE TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 417 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 59 of them (14%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) 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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 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 67/100. 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.