AI Damage1994 Chrysler Lebaron: common problems
Owners of the 1994 Chrysler Lebaron filed 102 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 102
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 30% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 24% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 22% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 8 Electrical system 4% of all complaints
- Structure: 31 complaints (30% of all).
- Powertrain: 24 complaints (24% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 22 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 7 complaints (7% of all).
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 102 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 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.
Upon impact, the driver's side airbag did not deploy. Manufacturer has inspected vehicle.
When vehicle was put in drive, the vehicle accelerated suddenly, causing a collision. Owner's foot was on the brake. Vehicle left skid marks 10 feet, causing the tires to become bald. The dealer has been notified.
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 30mph and the airbag did not deploy. Please describe. Tt
Grinds when I put it into reverse, and all the other gears nothing happens. I also just put a new filter and fluid in three months ago.
When consumer started the vehicle rear window shattered without warning. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Vehicle lost power while driving/ engine compartment caught on fire. Vehicle was a total loss. While driving the vehicle lost all power. The driver pulled to the south shoulder and exited the vehicle. The driver noticed flamed coming from the engine compartment.
Seat belt release button is too easy to release by just bumping with elbow or any other loose object.
Vehicle has stalled numerous times at 25-30 mph. Dealer cannot find cause of problem.
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 3,514 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lebaron has 32 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 102, above average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Chrysler Lebaron?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 102. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (7%), seat belts (5%), jerking, harsh shifts (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1994 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 1994 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 1994 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.