1978 Chrysler Lebaron recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE HOOD SECONDARY CATCH SYSTEM MAY BE MISALIGNED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE SECONDARY CATCH TO MALFUNCTION. CONSEQUENTLY, THE HOOD MAY NOT BE SECURELY LATCHED.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL ADJUST THE CATCH SYSTEM TO FULLY SECURE THE HOOD, WITHOUT CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V240000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Summary: ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE HOOD SECONDARY CATCH SYSTEM MAY BE MISALIGNED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE SECONDARY CATCH TO MALFUNCTION. CONSEQUENTLY, THE HOOD MAY NOT BE SECURELY LATCHED.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL ADJUST THE CATCH SYSTEM TO FULLY SECURE THE HOOD, WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; HOOD SECONDARY LATCH/STRIKER.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE HOOD COULD SPRING OPEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION,OBSCURING THE DRIVER"S VIEW OF THE ROAD AND, POSSIBLY, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: IF THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR CORRECTION OF THE SERVICEBRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, THE SECONDARY HOOD CATCH SERVICE SHOULD ALSO HAVE BEENCOMPLETED.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM COULD OCCUR DUE TO FRONT WHEEL BRAKE LINE TUBE CORROSION. FRONT WHEEL BRAKE HOSES MAY BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK DUE TO PROLONGED OPERATION IN COLD TEMPERATURES.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HOSES IF FOUND NECESSARY AND IN ADDITION, WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC SHIELD BETWEEN THE BATTERY THERMO-GUARD AND THE TUBES TO PREVENT CORROSION.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V188000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM COULD OCCUR DUE TO FRONT WHEEL BRAKE LINE TUBE CORROSION. FRONT WHEEL BRAKE HOSES MAY BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK DUE TO PROLONGED OPERATION IN COLD TEMPERATURES.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HOSES IF FOUND NECESSARY AND IN ADDITION, WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC SHIELD BETWEEN THE BATTERY THERMO-GUARD AND THE TUBES TO PREVENT CORROSION.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; STEEL BRAKE TUBES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF FRONT WHEEL BRAKING CAPABILITY COULD RESULTWHICH WOULD INCREASE THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD LEAD TO ANACCIDENT.NOTE: ILLUMINATION OF THE RED WARNING SIGNAL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOULDALERT DRIVER THAT BRAKE MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED.
3. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. THE COLUMNS MAY CONTAIN STEERING SHAFTS IN WHICH THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLING ROLL PIN RETAINING NOTCH WAS MACHINED TOO DEEP. THIS MAY CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE REST OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL A COTTER PIN THROUGH THE ROLL PIN TO ENSURE RETENTION, AT NO COST TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V211000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Summary: THE COLUMNS MAY CONTAIN STEERING SHAFTS IN WHICH THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLING ROLL PIN RETAINING NOTCH WAS MACHINED TOO DEEP. THIS MAY CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE REST OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A COTTER PIN THROUGH THE ROLL PIN TO ENSURE RETENTION, AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TILT STEERING WHEELS.SYSTEM: STEERING ASSEMBLY; STEERING COLUMN COUPLING.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERINGCAPABILITY AND, POSSIBLY, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1978 Chrysler Lebaron owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (1), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
01/28/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain · crash
VEHICLE'S DRIVESHAFT BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
11/20/1996 · Fuel system · crash
LOWER REAR FACE OF GAS TANK CONTACTED BY LOWER INBOARD HAMPER EDGE, RESULTING IN GAS TANK PUNCTURE. *AK