Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 151 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 29 | 19% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 24 | 16% |
| Power train | 22 | 15% |
| Visibility | 9 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 5% |
| Steering | 7 | 5% |
| Suspension | 7 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 3% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION KICKED DOWN INTO LOW GEAR. ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHEN FIRST STARTED IT GOES FINE THE MINUTE IT WARMS UP IT WILL KICK DOWN INTO LOW RANGE AGAIN, AND IT WILL DO IT ANY SPEED. *T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DOOR HAD CREAKED WITHOUT WARNING IT FLEW OPEN AND FELL OFF CATCHING ME AND MY SEATBELT PULLING ME OUT! THE DRIVERS DOOR FEEL OFF AND I SEE THAT THIS IS COMMON! YOU NEVER THOUGHT SOMEONE WOULD HIT THE ASPHALT OR ANOTHER C
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THERE WAS FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND, AS A RESULT, THERE WERE MI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 75,000 MILES ON IT. THOUGHT IT MIGHT LAST A LITTLE WHILE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, TRANSMISSION LEAK, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T WORK! GRINDS WHEN
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FELL OFF THE HINGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHEN CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD TO CHECK THE OIL AND THE HOOD FELL ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HURT. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HYDRAULIC BR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*PH WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE DRIVER PULLED TO THE SOUTH SHOULDER AND EXITED THE VE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | 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 151 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 29 of them (19%). No recalls are on record for it.
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 1994 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 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.