1990 Chrysler Imperial recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
What could happen: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBUR…
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 1990 IMPERIAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V099000.
- 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:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Summary: THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; ANTI-SKID SYSTEM. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI-VANS EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS). NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE MAY LEAK OR DETACH AT ITS CRIMPED END FITTING RESULTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
What could happen: FLUID DISCHARGE EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE LOSS OF BOTH THEANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND HYDRAULIC ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, RESULTING ININCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF BRAKE LOCKUP AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WITH A HOSE OF DIFFERENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
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 1990 IMPERIAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V191000.
- 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: THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE MAY LEAK OR DETACH AT ITS CRIMPED END FITTING RESULTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Consequence: FLUID DISCHARGE EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE LOSS OF BOTH THEANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND HYDRAULIC ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, RESULTING ININCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF BRAKE LOCKUP AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WITH A HOSE OF DIFFERENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS AND VANS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Chrysler Imperial owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (102), Hydraulic (97), Suspension (5), Electrical system (5), Fuel system (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/09/2016 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES EVENTUALLY RESPONDED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE…
08/07/2012 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULAR PUMP FAILED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS…
06/28/2012 · Brakes · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO A SCHOOL BUS BUT INSTEAD, CRASHED AGAINST THE CURB. THE ANTI…
04/20/2012 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PROPERLY BRAKE AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE STORE, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME…
04/20/2012 · Brakes
THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE PRESSURE. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THE PART INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED BY CHRYSLER, AND THAT CHRYSLER WAS TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. HOWEVER, I'VE BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. LOOKING ONLINE I'VE FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS…
03/11/2010 · Brakes
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. IN JANUARY 2010, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT WHEN SHE SAID THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WHEN SHE PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR BARELY SLOWED DOWN EVEN WITH MAXIMUM FORCE BEING APPLIED. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT. I ACTUALLY…
10/23/2009 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SLOPE, HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT HE HAD REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81000.
09/04/2009 · Brakes
I HAVE A 1990 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL WITH BENDIX 10 ABS BRAKES. CAN I STILL GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THEM?? ITS SUPPOSED TO BE LIFETIME WARRANTY. *TR