1989 Chrysler Lebaron problems & reliability
49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Chrysler Lebaron. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
7 complaints report injuries (7 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1989 Chrysler Lebaron vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 15 | 31% |
| Air Bags → | 11 | 22% |
| Electrical System | 8 | 16% |
| Power Train | 7 | 14% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 6% |
| Steering | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Unknown OR Other | 3 | 6% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 4% |
| Seats | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“While driving at 15 mph vehicle hit a pothole and air bags deployed, causing severe burns to the consumer. Dealer notified. *ak”
Air Bags · filed Aug 11, 2003
“The consumer discovered a related recall and confirmed the vehicle identification number was included in the recall, the consumer contacted the dealer regarding remedy 89v237000 who advised the recall was too old and they were no longer honoring it. *jb”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed May 12, 2003
“Key came out of ignition while car still running and able to be put into gear. Car rolled backward knocking down driver causing fatal injuries. Dt”
Electrical System · filed Dec 11, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- DISC BRAKE LINING SPLIT
Engineering Analysis EA91029 · opened Jun 18, 1991 · closed Feb 27, 1992 · led to recall 92V017000
- STEERING GEAR BOLTS LOOSEN
Preliminary Evaluation PE91065 · opened Apr 16, 1991 · closed Aug 30, 1991
- BRAKE LINING DELAMINATION
Preliminary Evaluation PE91049 · opened Feb 21, 1991 · closed Jun 18, 1991
- TIRE/FRAME INTERFERENCE
Preliminary Evaluation PE89168 · opened Sep 29, 1989 · closed Jan 30, 1990
Technical service bulletins
37 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Chrysler Lebaron. The 10 most recent:
Return: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock packaged before 2016/07/31 (31 July, 2016)of follow ing part…
23027 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 23, 2016
05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 05182535AD . See attachments for identifying…
23104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2016
Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part numbers: 1ZA04DX9AE, 1ZA05DX9AE. See…
23137 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2016
Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
Volume 2, Issue · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 18, 2016
CBXDP361AA Return: Spacer Kit - Visor You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock of part number CBXDP361AA. Replacement part number is CBXDP361AB w…
20244 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 18, 2016
1NT30XDVAC - Inspect and Return: Panel - Instrument Panel You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 1N T30XDVAC. See…
22958 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 17, 2016
Inspect and Return: Solenoid Module - Transmission You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of follow ing part numbers:52120000AA…
22867 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 17, 2016
Return: Lamp Assy - CHMSL& Cargo Light You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return all stock of follow ing part numbers:55372082AE, 55372082AD, 55372082AC…
22892 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 17, 2016
P/N CBSZR068AA: Inspect & Return: Module Kit - Occupant Restraint You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return part number CBSZR068AA as per the QIR…
20616 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 12, 2016
Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
Volume 2, Issue · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 2, 2016
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1989 Chrysler Lebaron in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1989 Chrysler Lebaron?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.