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1985 Chrysler LebaronProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 1985 Chrysler Lebaron, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints102 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 5, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Chrysler Lebaron has problems

10 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling42
Suspension20
Seat belts20
Electrical system10
Vehicle speed control10
Steering10
Structure10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1985 Chrysler Lebaron recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 89V-011 · Jan 31, 1989 · 60,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN SOME FORWARD, BACKWARD OR LATERALMOVEMENT OF SEAT, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLEWHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front assembly: power adjust

Recall 88V-061 · Apr 8, 1988 · 1,500 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chrysler.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other Lebaron year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lebaron median. How we score

'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Chrysler Lebaron, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT ATTACHMENT FAILUREC88001 · closed Oct 30, 1989
    No recall
  2. SEAT ATTACHMENTEA88008 · closed May 18, 1988
    Led to recall 88V-061
  3. TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILUREEA91010 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  4. SEAT FAILURESPE87045 · closed Nov 17, 1987
    No recall
In owners' words

What Lebaron owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AFTER BEING DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOUR TIMES, AND NOW THE VEHICLE DOESN'T START AT ALL. *JB
Complaint 10022446 · Jun 5, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO THE GASKET VALVE COVER CAMING DETACHED, CAUSING OIL TO ENTER IN THE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER STATE THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.…
Complaint 814939 · Aug 1, 1997

Own a 1985 Lebaron?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.