AI Damage1987 Chrysler Lebaron: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Chrysler Lebaron filed 42 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 42
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 19% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 12 complaints (29% of all).
- Fuel system: 9 complaints (21% of all).
- Seat belts: 8 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (14% of all).
- Steering: 5 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 42 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Car sold to me with a cracked/broken frame, informed by reliable sources that sale was illegal.
Steering failed,resulting in a crash / unable to direct vehicle.
Consumer was driving and car accelerate and lost control consumer hit a pole manufacturer took back car a month later receive recall #87v107000 this problem.
During head on accident air bag did not deploy. No air bag installed. Tt
Vehicle was stopped with the engine running to make a left turn, smoke began to appear from right driver side, once the turn was made more smoke began to build up.
When puting away the groceries, within a matter of seconds, we all heard two booms and looked out the window of the kitchen and saw my 1987 chrysler lebaron engolfed in smoke, could not even see any flames at this time because of all the smoke.
Driver's and passenger's seat belt latches will not go into the buckle assmebly, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Engine failed resulting in fire. (ohio traffic crash report). Mjs
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,819 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lebaron has 32 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 42, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Chrysler Lebaron?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, seat belts. Total complaints: 42. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (19%), seat belts (12%), fuel system, fuel smell (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Chrysler Lebaron?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Chrysler Lebaron from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.