VehicleVerdict

1991 Chrysler LeBaron problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 95 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 13.6 times the median LeBaron year — the 1991 model ranks #4 of 23 LeBaron years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (22), visibility & wipers (10), and airbags (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

95

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other LeBaron years?

LeBaron NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LeBaron years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Chrysler LeBaron problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2223%
Airbags1011%
Visibility & Wipers1011%
Fuel System88%
Brakes88%
Electrical System88%
Body & Structure66%
Suspension55%
Seats44%
Engine44%
Seat Belts22%
Lighting22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Other11%
Speed Control11%
Steering11%

Does the 1991 Chrysler LeBaron have recalls?

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

92V016000Body & StructureFebruary 11, 1992 · 57,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

91V122000Seat BeltsJuly 11, 1991 · 130,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LATCH MAY OPEN DURING ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP, EXPOSINGSEAT OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

REPLACE BUCKLE LATCH ENGAGEMENT.

91V078000BrakesMay 14, 1991 · 90 units

Defect

MISMATCHED PARKING BRAKE CABLE LENGTHS TO THE REAR WHEELS REDUCES BRAKING ABILITY OF ONE OF THE REAR WHEELS, IN VIOLATION OF FMVSS 105.

Consequence

INSUFFICIENT BRAKING ABLITY COULD RESULT IN INADVERTENTVEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE MISMATCHED PARKING BRAKE CABLE WITH ONE OF CORRECT LENGTH.

90V194000AirbagsNovember 19, 1990 · 398 units

Defect

THE TWO AIR BAG SYSTEM FRONT IMPACT SENSORS MAY NOT BE SECURED TO THEIR MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Consequence

AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IF THEFRONT IMPACT SENSORS ARE NOT ATTACHED.

Remedy

REPAIR TO ASSURE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF FRONT IMPACT SENSORS TO BRACKETS.

90V162000BrakesSeptember 4, 1990 · 18,000 units

Defect

FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

PROPERLY TORQUE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS TO 250 POUNDS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WE ARE NOW DOING THE SECOND REBUILD OF THIS TRANSMISSION. THE FIRST SHUT DOWN THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREEWAY. THERE IS ALOT WRITTEN ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION AND IT'S PROBLEMS YET CHRYSLER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE PROBLEMS. WE REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT WHEN AND WHERE WE WILL BE THE NEXT TIME THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 26, 1998

“BRAKES MAKE A CLICKING NOISE, 2. OIL LEAKAGE APPEARS UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE, 3. ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP AFTER BEING PUT DOWN, 4. ENGINE STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING AND VEHICLE DIES OUT. DEALER CONTACTED AND AWARE OF PROBLEMS. PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 1, 1999

“WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE VISIBILITY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 16, 1998

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 23, 2003 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS A FIRE LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER NOTICED THAT HE HAD PROBLEM STARTING THE VEHICLE UP BEFORE THE FIRE TOOK PLACE. THE WHOLE ENGINE IS GONE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 4, 1997 · fire

1991 Chrysler LeBaron — common questions

Is the 1991 Chrysler LeBaron reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 95 complaints put the 1991 model at #4 of 23 LeBaron years. It is one of the LeBaron years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 LeBaron problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (22 complaints), visibility & wipers (10 complaints), airbags (10 complaints).

Does the 1991 Chrysler LeBaron have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Chrysler LeBaron. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Chrysler LeBaron under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.