Model year record

1990 Chrysler LeBaron recalls & problems

The 1990 Chrysler LeBaron has 3 safety recalls and 68 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (28 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints68filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionApr 14, 2008

Suspension

Recall 08E0330006,903 vehicles

Problem: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Air bagsApr 25, 1990

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 90V080000257 vehicles

Problem: AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES MAY NOT CONTAIN DIFFUSER HOLES BETWEEN THE IGNITOR AND PROPELLANT CHAMBERS.
Risk: AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT SITUATION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DRIVER INJURY.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WITH PROPERLY MACHINED MODULES.

Engine and engine coolingDec 27, 1989

Engine

Recall 89V237000634,000 vehicles

Problem: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Chrysler LeBaron 2-DR. Convertible

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

LeBaron Convertible

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

LeBaron

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

LeBaron Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

LeBaron Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

LeBaron

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

LeBaron

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

LeBaron Convertible

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

LeBaron

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

LeBaron Landau

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

LeBaron Convertible

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

LeBaron

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	28	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Interior/under dash	12	0	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys	9	1	1	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	8	6	1	4	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Master cylinder	7	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear; Rear › Springs › Coil springs	6	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	5	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	4	0	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls	4	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal › Flasher unit	3	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Webbing	2	0	0	0	—
Tires	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsFire
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. DEALER SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY COULD SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAGS AND ON A OIL LEAK.*AK
Aug 21, 2005 · 98,000 miles
Power train
PAINT CONTINUES TO PEEL FROM TOP SURFACES
Dec 15, 2002
Unknown or other
CAR IS A LEMON!!!!!!!! *LA
Jan 5, 1989 · 35,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
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. *TT
Nov 24, 2001 · 137,205 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKS INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AND WILL NOT UPSHIFT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME. (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.*AK
Mar 10, 2002
Electrical system › Ignition
CAR TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES (MORE THAN 20+) OVER LAST 8 MONTHS. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART IN APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IT WON'T. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR AS IT HAS HAPPENED AT 30 MPH AS WELL AS 65. WEATHER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THIS PROBLEM IS SPORADIC - SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY OVER A DISTANCE OF 5 MILES, OTHER TIMES IT WILL RUN FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THEN SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT PROBLEM IS DUE TO IT NOT ACTING UP WHEN THEY HAVE IT. I CALLED THE CHRYSLER GARAGE IN PLYMOUTH, IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME UNLESS THEY…
Apr 29, 2002
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings
A REAR BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE. I FOUND THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME WHILE GREASING THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE LOOSE SHOE WAS STILL IN PLACE CAPTURED BY THE CALIPER. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL: CAMPAIGN NUMBER 92V017000, BUT MY 1990 VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL SINCE IT EFFECTED 1989 MODELS. HOWEVER, I CONVINCED THE DEALER I DID HAVE THE PROBLEM SINCE I HAD A LINING THAT SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE. THE DEALER REPLACED MY REAR BRAKES AT THAT TIME. I HAVE NO RECORD OF THE SERVICE DATE, AND THE DEALER CLAIMS HE HAS NO RECORD, ALTHOUGH HE ALSO HAS NO RECORD OF THE RECALL SERVICE THAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH WATER COLLECTING…
Nov 24, 2001
Power train › Automatic transmission
SEAL WITHIN TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AND IS CAUSING PROBLEM WITH DOWNSHIFTING. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED SEAL.*AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN. *SLC
Jan 19, 1995

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.