Selling an old or junk Chrysler LeBaron
The LeBaron's complaint count peaked near the end. Its 1994 drew 107 complaints, more than any other year, and 29 of them name the structure. Yet NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1993, 1994 or 1995 model years.
- Model years in EPA data
- 1984-1995
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 643
- Year with the most complaints
- 1994 (107)
- Component named most
- Power train (114)
- Recall campaigns
- 19
- EPA body variants
- LeBaron, Convertible, GTS, Landau
If your LeBaron is a convertible that hasn't moved in years or a sedan with a dead engine, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.
Which LeBarons this page covers
The EPA data on this site runs from 1984 to 1995 and lists LeBaron, LeBaron Convertible, LeBaron GTS and LeBaron Landau, in compact, midsize and subcompact classes. Wikipedia splits those years into:
- Second generation (1982-1988): the K-body, a transverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive car built in Newark, Delaware. Engines were the 2.2 K four, the 2.2 Turbo I, the 2.5 K four and a 2.6-liter Mitsubishi four.
- Third generation coupe and convertible (1987-1995) and third generation sedan (1990-1994).
The white car in the photo is a 1979, from the rear-drive first generation (1977-1981). It's older than the data here.
Problems by era, tied to the recalls
LeBaron complaints were counted in NHTSA owner records on October 10, 2026. Each recall's vehicle count covers the full campaign, and most reached other Chrysler models too.
1984-1988: fuel leaks and seats
The K-car years have few complaints (7 on the 1984, 42 on the 1987) but many campaigns. Fuel comes first. Campaign 84V147 covers a 1984 fuel reservoir, a silver can on the air cleaner, that could leak at its seam and hoses. Campaign 85V010 is about a 1985 fuel hose clamp that could come loose and start an engine fire. Campaign 88V105 is about 1985-1987 fuel hose joints that might leak when it's cold.
Seats and controls follow. Campaign 89V011 covers a 1985 driver's seat frame that could crack at one of its four mounts. Campaign 87V107 covers a 1987 floor mat that could catch the accelerator. Campaign 86V028 covers a 1986 instrument cluster resistor that could overheat and ignite.
Two of the 1986's 25 complaints report a death.
1989-1992: power train and air bags
Air bags top the 1989 (11 complaints). Two small air bag campaigns follow: 90V080, inflator modules built without diffuser holes on the 1990, and 90V194, front impact sensors that might not be bolted to their brackets on the 1991.
From 1990 the power train leads every year: 23 complaints on the 1990, 18 on the 1991, 17 on the 1992. Campaign 89V237 covers 1989-1990 valve cover gaskets that could slip and leak oil. Campaign 92V017 covers 1989 bonded brake linings that could separate from the shoes. Campaign 92V015 covers a 1992 steering column bolt that could break, and 92V070 a 1992 hood latch that might not catch.
1993-1995: structure, and no campaigns
The 1993 still leads with the power train (19), but the 1994 and 1995 turn to the body: structure tops both, at 29 and 24. The 1994 also has 20 engine and cooling complaints. None of these three years has a recall campaign in NHTSA's list.
Complaints and recall campaigns by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Deaths | Recall campaigns | Component named most |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Steering, fuel system (3 each) |
| 1985 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | Engine and cooling (3) |
| 1986 | 25 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | Engine and cooling (7) |
| 1987 | 42 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 2 | Engine and cooling (9) |
| 1988 | 32 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Seat belts (6) |
| 1989 | 49 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | Air bags (11) |
| 1990 | 70 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Power train (23) |
| 1991 | 66 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 5 | Power train (18) |
| 1992 | 80 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 2 | Power train (17) |
| 1993 | 70 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Power train (19) |
| 1994 | 107 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Structure (29) |
| 1995 | 82 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Structure (24) |
| 1996 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Air bags, brakes, visibility (1 each) |
A LeBaron campaign spanning several years appears in every one of those rows.
Worth fixing?
For most LeBarons the question is the repair quote against what the car brings running. A convertible in good shape is a different case from a rusty sedan, so get the quote in writing first.
- Engine or transmission gone: across all twelve years, owners cite the power train more than anything else (114). Our blown engine and bad transmission guides explain the math.
- Sitting for years: tires, fuel and brakes all go stale. Car sitting for years covers what to expect.
- Started a restoration and stopped: see old project car.
- Any recall question: run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How to sell the LeBaron whole
- Write down the VIN, mileage and body style (coupe, convertible, sedan or GTS), and whether it runs.
- Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
- Describe its spot and whether it rolls freely; a car that won't roll needs a winch.
- Leave every part on. If something's already been removed, list it with your request, because it changes the offer.
- Find the title. If it's lost, read selling with no title. For plates and insurance afterward, see after you sell.
Other Chryslers of the era: the New Yorker, Cirrus and Laser, or every Chrysler we cover.
Questions people ask
- Which LeBaron model year has the most NHTSA complaints?
- The 1994 leads with 107 on file at October 10, 2026; the 1995 (82) and 1992 (80) trail it. On the 1994, 29 complaints name the structure and 20 the engine and cooling system. Those final years were also on the road the shortest time before this count.
- Was there a recall for oil leaks on the 1989-1990 LeBaron?
- Yes. On 1989-1990 LeBarons, campaign 89V237 says the valve cover gasket may shift and leak oil. The remedy swaps in a revised cover sealed with RTV, no gasket. The 634,000 vehicles in that campaign include other Chrysler models.
- Are there recalls for the 1993-1995 LeBaron?
- The 1993, 1994 and 1995 LeBaron have 259 complaints between them, yet NHTSA shows zero recall campaigns for those years. You can still check any VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Will you buy a LeBaron convertible that's been parked for years?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits, flat tires and torn top included, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 84V147: fuel reservoir leak, 1984 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 85V010: fuel hose clamp, 1985 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 86V028: instrument cluster resistor, 1986 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 87V107: floor mat and accelerator, 1987 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 88V105: cold-weather fuel leak, 1985-1987 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 89V011: driver seat frame, 1985 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 89V237: valve cover gasket, 1989-1990 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 90V080: air bag inflator modules, 1990 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 90V194: air bag impact sensors, 1991 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 92V017: bonded brake linings, 1989 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 92V015: steering column coupling bolt, 1992 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 92V070: hood latch, 1992 nhtsa.gov
- EPA fuel economy data (model years, classes, name variants) fueleconomy.gov
- Wikipedia: Chrysler LeBaron en.wikipedia.org