AI Damage1990 Chrysler Lebaron: common problems
Owners of the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron filed 68 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 68
- involving a crash
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 41% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 12% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 28 complaints (41% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 8 complaints (12% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (9% of all).
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 · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 68 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 28 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
Valve cover has allow an engine oil leak at the gasket. Frontal air bag failed to deploy during accident.
When driving the air bag light keeps coming on and the air bag light won't go back in may of 1998 the consumer was in an accident and the air bags did'nt deploy.
Sudden acceleration, causing accident/no deployment of airbag during collision.
Loose lug nuts caused left front wheel to come off of car, causing accident. (ohio state police report)
No deployment of drivers air bag in accident, resulting in head/chest injuries to driver.
Dt: the caller said his friend was turning into driveway and the engine caught on fire. She was going about 15 mph. Fire department came to put out the fire. A report was filed. No other property was damaged. They do not know what started the fire, but the caller said it started towards the bottom of the engine.
Rear brake lining separated from the brake shoe. The loose shoe was still in place captured by the caliper. Consumer's 1990 vehicle was not part of recall 92v017000. Dealer replaced the rear brakes. However, one of the brake linings separated from the shoe again. Consumer felt this was a serious safety issue.
(limp mode). There are at least 32 tsb's covering various problems on the a604/41te transmissions. I called chrysler about this and they tell me there is no recall or extended warranty. Estimated repairs to date are $1950 - $2100. The car is like new otherwise, but useless as is.
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 4,491 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lebaron has 32 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 68, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 68. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (9%), transmission slipping (6%), jerking, harsh shifts (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 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 1990 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 1990 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.