VehicleVerdict

1986 Chrysler LeBaron problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 31 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median LeBaron year — the 1986 model ranks #10 of 23 LeBaron years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (26% of the total).

31

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

2

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other LeBaron years?

LeBaron NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted133 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 7 complaints1985: 13 complaints1986: 31 complaints1987: 59 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 69 complaints1990: 96 complaints1991: 95 complaints1992: 100 complaints1993: 87 complaints1994: 133 complaints1995: 89 complaints1996: 4 complaints1997: 2 complaints2003: 1 complaints
LeBaron NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LeBaron years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Chrysler LeBaron problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine826%
Electrical System516%
Body & Structure413%
Steering310%
Transmission310%
Brakes26%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Child Seat13%
Fuel System13%
Seat Belts13%
Speed Control13%
Tires & Wheels13%

Does the 1986 Chrysler LeBaron have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

88V105000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 1988 · 580,000 units

Defect

FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.

88V061000SeatsApril 8, 1988 · 1,500 units

Defect

A SERVICE REPLACEMENT DRIVERS SEAT CUSHION (MANUAL SEAT TYPE) MAY CONTAIN WRONG CUSHION WITH A BRACE THAT COULD INTERFERE WITH POWER SEAT ADJUSTER MECHANISM AND CAUSE STRESS ON THE FRAME.

Consequence

SEAT FRAME COULD FRACTURE AND RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTREARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT BACK.

Remedy

REPLACE FRAME WITH PROPER POWER SEAT FRAME.

86V053000Electrical SystemApril 10, 1986 · 32,149 units

Defect

BATTERY CAP VENTS MAY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH PLASTIC FLASHING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BUILD UP OF INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN CASE RUPTURE, PARTICULARLY DURING POST CHARGING. SHOULD A PERSON BE IN THE VICINITY OF THE BATTERY WHEN THE CASE RUPTURES, THEY MAY BE INJURED BY THE RELEASED GASES AND/OR ACID.

Remedy

REWORK BATTERIES BY PROBING BOTH VENT ORIFICES TO ELIMINATE ANY VENT OBSTRUCTION.

86V028000Electrical SystemFebruary 19, 1986 · 7,600 units

Defect

A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRONIC PANEL CLUSTER MAY BE SUBJECTED TO AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT OVERLOAD DUE TO FAILURE OF A SWITCHING TRANSISTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE OVERHEATED RESISTOR COULD IGNITE AND START AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE.

Remedy

MODIFY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BY REPLACING THE RESISTOR WITH A FUSED RESISTOR THAT WILL NOT IGNITE IF OVERLOADED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A STALLING PROBLEM , WHEN THIS HAPPENS POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE DEFECT WHICH HAS OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, AND IT WAS GRADUALLY BECOMING WORSE. CONSUMER HAS BEEN ADVISED TO GET RID OF VEHICLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN DURING THE DAY, THEN PARKED IN RESIDENCE GARAGE. APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS LATER, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE MARSHALL INVESTIGATED AND SAID IT WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT STARTED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 8, 1998 · fire

“THE DRIVER WAS SECURING A GATE WHEN THE SELECTOR LEVER IN HIS 1986 CHRYSLER LEBARON MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS STRIKING THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER DIED FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THIS ACCIDENT. *NM COMPLAINANT IS A CONSULTANT ENGINEER WHO EVALUATES AUTOMOBILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 28, 2003

“VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF TRACTOR TRAILER,CAUSING THE TRACTOR TRAILER TO BROADSIDE VEHICLE.ALSO, COSCO CSS TO DISCONNECTED FROM BASE, AND EJECTED THE CHILD FROM VEHICLE. DETECTIVE PASSING THIS REPORT ON TO NHTSA.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 11, 1999 · crash

“CONSUMER TURNED OFF ENGINE, SHIFTED GEAR IN PARK POSITION, REMOVED KEY. MINUTES LATER VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ,DOWN A HILL, RAN INTO A PARKED TRUCK. CONSUMER HAD NOTICED THAT VEHICLE HAD JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, WENT FROM PARK POSITION TO A REVERSE POSTION.THIS DEFECT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 1997 · crash

1986 Chrysler LeBaron — common questions

Is the 1986 Chrysler LeBaron reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 31 complaints put the 1986 model at #10 of 23 LeBaron years. It is one of the LeBaron years to avoid.

What are the most common 1986 LeBaron problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (8 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), body & structure (4 complaints).

Does the 1986 Chrysler LeBaron have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Chrysler LeBaron. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Chrysler LeBaron under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chrysler LeBaron years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LeBaron years to avoid are 1994, 1992, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1993, 1989, 1987, 1988, 1986. The cleanest record among LeBaron years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.