Model year record

1991 Chrysler LeBaron recalls & problems

The 1991 Chrysler LeBaron has 5 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (22 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints63filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureFeb 11, 1992

Body › Door

Recall 92V01600057,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE OWNER'S MANUAL INCORRECTLY STATES THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED UNTIL THE LOCK CONTROL HANDLE HAS BEEN PULLED UP. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CAN BE OPENED BY THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE EVEN IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED.
Risk: THE ERROR IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL MAY LEAD A FRONT SEATPASSENGER TO MISTAKENLY OPEN THE CAR DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION,BELIEVING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN IF THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. THISCOULD RESULT IN AN INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Fix: NOTIFY THE VEHICLE OWNERS OF THE ERROR IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND INFORM THEM OF THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRONT DOOR LOCK SYSTEM.

Seat beltsJul 11, 1991

Front › Anchorage

Recall 91V122000130,000 vehicles

Problem: FRONT OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND OR UNLATCH DUE TO A WEBBING STIFFENER ENTERING THE BUCKLE HOUSING AND DISLODGING THE BUCKLE LATCH GUIDE.
Risk: LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.

Parking brakeMay 14, 1991

Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable

Recall 91V07800090 vehicles

Problem: MISMATCHED PARKING BRAKE CABLE LENGTHS TO THE REAR WHEELS REDUCES BRAKING ABILITY OF ONE OF THE REAR WHEELS, IN VIOLATION OF FMVSS 105.
Risk: INSUFFICIENT BRAKING ABLITY COULD RESULT IN INADVERTENTVEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE MISMATCHED PARKING BRAKE CABLE WITH ONE OF CORRECT LENGTH.

Air bagsNov 19, 1990

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 90V194000398 vehicles

Problem: THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Risk: AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.
Fix: REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 4, 1990

Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 90V16200018,000 vehicles

Problem: FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.

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.

Fuel economy

LeBaron

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

LeBaron

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

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

LeBaron

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/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

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/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; Axle assembly	22	1	1	2	—
Air bagsFrontal	10	5	0	3	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	10	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Horn	8	0	2	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	7	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly	7	0	2	0	—
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body	6	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Springs › Torsion bar; Front › Wheel bearing	5	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	4	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	4	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal	2	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor	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

Parking brake
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER LEBARON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES BECAME HARD TO APPLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: NUMBER: 90V162000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER) BUT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT TO DEPLOY IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT HAD ALSO FAILED AND COULD NOT BE SECURED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE HAD FAILED AND THE…
Feb 16, 2012 · 36,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER LEBARON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL THEN INTO SECOND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR UNLESS SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SENSORS CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE MULTIPLE SENSORS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AS OF MAY 16, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,564.
May 2, 2008 · 33,564 miles
Power train
THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ARE POOR SHIFTING QUALITIES AND SUDDEN LOCKS INTO SECOND GEAR.ALSO THE TRANSMISSION NEVER SHIFTS INTO THIRD GEAR. THIS ADDS MORE STRESS TO THE ENGINE.I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCEEDED THE ALLOWED MILEAGE AND OR WARRANTY, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO.I HAVE SINCE WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT OF CHRYSLER, AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM HIM YET. I DON'T WANT TO LET CHRYSLER GET AWAY WITH POOR ENGINEERING DECISIONS.
Sep 15, 2003 · 20,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor systemFire
CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS SMELLING GASOLINE INSIDE OF VEHICLE, GOT OUT AND TRIED TO LOCATE FROM WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. HE HAD BEEN SMELLING THIS ODOR FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN, FINALLY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR REPAIR HE WAS TOLD THAT THE RUBBER TUBING UNDER THE HOOD THAT LEADS TO THE GASOLINE HAD CRACKS AND BREAKS IN IT, ALLOWING GAS TO POUR OUT, CAUSING A SPARK TO IGNITE WHILE STARING THE AUTOMOBILE. *AK
Jul 23, 2003
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, CAUSING $ 700.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK
Aug 3, 2002
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFire
FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED BY A AFTERMARKET CAR CARE CENTER. POSSIBILITY OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION,OR DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND WORKMAN SHIP.*AK
Sep 13, 2001
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, AND AFTER THE TURN IS COMPLETED, TURN SIGNALS WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED TURN SIGNAL SWITCH, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Jul 16, 2001
Power train › Automatic transmission
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP AND NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SOUNDING FUNNY. WHEN PUTTING GEAR INTO A SHIFT POSITION, IT DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE. THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID INSIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS AT REPAIR SHOP, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR AT ALL.*AK
Mar 1, 2001

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

NHTSA defect investigations

THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITIONClosed
UNCONTROLLED ENGINE SPEED CONDITION RESULTS FRO THROTTLE SHAFT BINDING
PE96036 · opened May 14, 1996 · closed Oct 31, 1996