1986 Chrysler Lebaron recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
5 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 1986 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. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.
What could happen: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.
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 1986 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V105000.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L TURBO CHARGED ENGINE.
3. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. A SERVICE REPLACEMENT DRIVERS SEAT CUSHION (MANUAL SEAT TYPE) MAY CONTAIN WRONG CUSHION WITH A BRACE THAT COULD INTERFERE WITH POWER SEAT ADJUSTER MECHANISM AND CAUSE STRESS ON THE FRAME.
What could happen: SEAT FRAME COULD FRACTURE AND RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTREARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT BACK.
The fix: REPLACE FRAME WITH PROPER POWER SEAT FRAME.
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 1986 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V061000.
- 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: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Summary: A SERVICE REPLACEMENT DRIVERS SEAT CUSHION (MANUAL SEAT TYPE) MAY CONTAIN WRONG CUSHION WITH A BRACE THAT COULD INTERFERE WITH POWER SEAT ADJUSTER MECHANISM AND CAUSE STRESS ON THE FRAME.
Consequence: SEAT FRAME COULD FRACTURE AND RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTREARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT BACK.
Remedy: REPLACE FRAME WITH PROPER POWER SEAT FRAME.
Notes: SYSTEM: SEAT FRAME.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL POWER ADJUSTER BUCKETOR 50/50 FRONT SEATS.
4. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. BATTERY CAP VENTS MAY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH PLASTIC FLASHING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BUILD UP OF INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN CASE RUPTURE, PARTICULARLY DURING POST CHARGING. SHOULD A PERSON BE IN THE VICINITY OF THE BATTERY WHEN THE CASE RUPTURES, THEY MAY BE INJURED BY THE RELEASED GASES AND/OR ACID.
What could happen:
The fix: REWORK BATTERIES BY PROBING BOTH VENT ORIFICES TO ELIMINATE ANY VENT OBSTRUCTION.
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 1986 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V053000.
- 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Summary: BATTERY CAP VENTS MAY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH PLASTIC FLASHING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BUILD UP OF INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN CASE RUPTURE, PARTICULARLY DURING POST CHARGING. SHOULD A PERSON BE IN THE VICINITY OF THE BATTERY WHEN THE CASE RUPTURES, THEY MAY BE INJURED BY THE RELEASED GASES AND/OR ACID.
Consequence:
Remedy: REWORK BATTERIES BY PROBING BOTH VENT ORIFICES TO ELIMINATE ANY VENT OBSTRUCTION.
Notes: SYSTEM: BATTERY, VENTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH BATTERIES FROM A SINGLE SUPPLIER.
5. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRONIC PANEL CLUSTER MAY BE SUBJECTED TO AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT OVERLOAD DUE TO FAILURE OF A SWITCHING TRANSISTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE OVERHEATED RESISTOR COULD IGNITE AND START AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE.
What could happen:
The fix: MODIFY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BY REPLACING THE RESISTOR WITH A FUSED RESISTOR THAT WILL NOT IGNITE IF OVERLOADED.
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 1986 LEBARON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V028000.
- 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Summary: A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRONIC PANEL CLUSTER MAY BE SUBJECTED TO AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT OVERLOAD DUE TO FAILURE OF A SWITCHING TRANSISTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE OVERHEATED RESISTOR COULD IGNITE AND START AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE.
Consequence:
Remedy: MODIFY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BY REPLACING THE RESISTOR WITH A FUSED RESISTOR THAT WILL NOT IGNITE IF OVERLOADED.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1986 Chrysler Lebaron owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (8), Electrical system (6), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Body / structure (3), Steering (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/15/2007 · Wheels / tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 CHRYSLER LEBARON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWENTY INCHES OF TREAD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FIRESTONE RESPONSE SE (P18575R14) TIRE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON JUNE 15, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. UPDATED 07/24/07. *JB
03/17/2005 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE DRIVER WAS SECURING A GATE WHEN THE SELECTOR LEVER IN HIS 1986 CHRYSLER LEBARON MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS STRIKING THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER DIED FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THIS ACCIDENT. *NM COMPLAINANT IS A CONSULTANT ENGINEER WHO EVALUATES AUTOMOBILE TRANSMISSIONS. *JB THE POSITION INDICATOR WAS VAGUE A…
11/06/2003 · Transmission / drivetrain · crash
WITH ENGINE RUNNING, DRIVER EXITED VEHICLE TO OPEN GATE. TRANSMISSION SELF SHIFTED FROM APPARENT PARK INTO REVERSE AND VEHICLE BACKED OVER DRIVER AND KILLED HIM.*AK
10/08/2002 · Electrical system
CONSUMER STATES RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRONIC PANEL CLUSTER CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT OVER LOAD DUE TO FAILURE OF SWITCHING TRANSISTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
03/22/2002 · Electrical system
VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
03/20/2001 · Steering
VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A STALLING PROBLEM , WHEN THIS HAPPENS POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE DEFECT WHICH HAS OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, AND IT WAS GRADUALLY BECOMING WORSE. CONSUMER HAS BEEN ADVISED TO GET RID OF VEHICLE. *AK
08/26/2000 · Electrical system · fire
VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN DURING THE DAY, THEN PARKED IN RESIDENCE GARAGE. APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS LATER, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE MARSHALL INVESTIGATED AND SAID IT WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT STARTED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
09/16/1999 · Steering
RACK AND PINION STEERING FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED POOR STEERING AND VIBRATION. ALSO, THERE IS SOME KNOCKING NOISE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK