1989 Chrysler Lebaron recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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.
What could happen: 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, POS…
The fix: 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.
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 1989 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E033000.
- 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: SUSPENSION
Summary: 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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
What could happen: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
The fix: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
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 1989 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V237000.
- 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: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
Notes: SYSTEM: ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, LIGHT TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE BONDED DISC BRAKE LININGS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE SHOES DUE TO A BONDING DEFICIENCY WHICH MAY ALLOW CORROSION DEGRADATION OF THE BOND ATTACHMENT.
What could happen: SEPARATION OF THE DISC BRAKE LININGS RESULTS IN ANINCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE.
The fix: REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR LININGS ON VEHICLES WITH 15 INCH BRAKES. REPLACE ONLY THE REAR BRAKE LININGS ON VEHICLES WITH 14 INCH BRAKES BECAUSE THE FRONT LININGS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE RIVETED.
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 1989 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V017000.
- 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:DISC:PADS
Summary: THE BONDED DISC BRAKE LININGS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE SHOES DUE TO A BONDING DEFICIENCY WHICH MAY ALLOW CORROSION DEGRADATION OF THE BOND ATTACHMENT.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE DISC BRAKE LININGS RESULTS IN ANINCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR LININGS ON VEHICLES WITH 15 INCH BRAKES. REPLACE ONLY THE REAR BRAKE LININGS ON VEHICLES WITH 14 INCH BRAKES BECAUSE THE FRONT LININGS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE RIVETED.
Notes: SYSTEM: DISC BRAKES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.NOTE: THIS RECALL APPLIES ONLY TO CARS REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES THATUSE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT FOR SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL. CHRYSLER INCLUDESTHE FOLLOWING STATES: CT, DE, IL, IN, IA, ME, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY,OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, DC, WV, WI.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1989 Chrysler Lebaron owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (17), Airbags (11), Electrical system (9), Transmission / drivetrain (8), Brakes (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/11/2003 · Airbags · crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING SEVERE BURNS TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
05/12/2003 · Engine
THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RELATED RECALL AND CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING REMEDY 89V237000 WHO ADVISED THE RECALL WAS TOO OLD AND THEY WERE NO LONGER HONORING IT. *JB
12/11/2002 · Electrical system
KEY CAME OUT OF IGNITION WHILE CAR STILL RUNNING AND ABLE TO BE PUT INTO GEAR. CAR ROLLED BACKWARD KNOCKING DOWN DRIVER CAUSING FATAL INJURIES. DT
10/15/2002 · Airbags · crash
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 MPH THE VEHICLE TRAVELING AHEAD SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP, CAUSING A REAR IN COLLISION BY CONSUMER. CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND A PUDDY LIKE SUBSTAINS FROM AIRBAG CAUSED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO CONSUMERS FACE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
09/03/2002 · Vehicle Speed Control
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
08/17/2002 · Seats
I WAS FRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SUDDENLY MY SEAT BROKE I SWERVED AL OVER THE ROAD AND FINALLY GOT CONTROL AN PULLED OVER AND FOUN OUT THAT THE FRAME OF THE SEAT BROKE. *AK
03/20/2002 · Engine
WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE. *AK RECALL 89V237000 TO REPLACE GASKET COVER. *TT
04/14/2001 · Body / structure
WELDS ON DRIVER SIDE DOORS ARE MALFUNCTION MAKEING THE DOOR HARD TO CLOSE AND CRUSHING THE FENDER. CONVERTIBLE TOP WILL NOT LATCH DOWN. ALL POWER WINDOWS ON THE CAR ARE MALFUNCTIONING( MOTORS AND GEARS MALFUNCTION) WITH THE MILEGE OF THE CAR SOME THING ARE GOING TO FAIL BUT WELDS SHOULD HOLD FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR