1988 Chrysler Lebaron Problems
- Complaints
- 32filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron. The part named most often is seat belts, with 6 complaints (19% of the total), followed by steering (6) and engine cooling (5). Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 10 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts6 19%
- Steering6 19%
- Engine cooling5 16%
- Air bags4 13%
- Body and structure4 13%
- Electrical system2 6.3%
- Fuel system2 6.3%
- Seats2 6.3%
- Brakes1 3.1%
Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Push button locking mechanism on the driver's lap and shoulder belt combination would not unlock, causing the driver to become trapped in the seat which resulted in the occupant cutting the seat belt off before exiting the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #832129, filed 1998-12Steering: “The paint chipped off my car. Then the engine blew for no apparent reason, then my heater went out, but to start with . When I purchased the car it had a power steering leak which was fixed twice but still leaks. The engine was replaced and the timing belt blew when the deler put in the new timing belt the cruise control went out. They want to fix things that don't relate to the cruise control in the process. I won't let them. I just want the cruise control fixed. I would also like a new paint job.”
NHTSA complaint #712442, filed 1999-09Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Chrysler Lebaron version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeBaron FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| LeBaron FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| LeBaron FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,100 |
| LeBaron FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| LeBaron FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| LeBaron Convertible FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| LeBaron Convertible FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,100 |
| LeBaron Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| LeBaron Convertible FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| LeBaron GTS FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| LeBaron GTS FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| LeBaron GTS FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| LeBaron GTS FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,100 |
| LeBaron GTS FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
1 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- PE91065Steering gear bolts loosenClosed · Apr 16, 1991
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10130081Aug 23, 2016Electrical system. Return: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock packaged before 2016/07/31 (31 July, 2016)of follow ing…
- 10130080Aug 22, 2016Equipment, Exterior lighting. 05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 05182535AD . See…
- 10130079Aug 22, 2016Equipment. Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part numbers…
- 10129047Aug 18, 2016Equipment. Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
- 10129045Aug 18, 2016Equipment. CBXDP361AA Return: Spacer Kit - Visor You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock of part number CBXDP361AA. Replacement part…
- 10129044Aug 17, 2016Electrical system. 1NT30XDVAC - Inspect and Return: Panel - Instrument Panel You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 1N…
- 10129043Aug 17, 2016Electrical system. Inspect and Return: Solenoid Module - Transmission You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of follow ing part…
- 10129042Aug 17, 2016Equipment. Return: Lamp Assy - CHMSL& Cargo Light You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return all stock of follow ing part numbers:55372082AE…
- 10129041Aug 12, 2016Electrical system. P/N CBSZR068AA: Inspect & Return: Module Kit - Occupant Restraint You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return part number CBSZR068AA…
- 10129046Jun 2, 2016Equipment. Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
Other model years of the Chrysler Lebaron
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 75 | 65,020 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 102 | 87,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 66 | 70,349 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 78 | 96,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 63 | 33,564 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 68 | 98,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 49 | — | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 32 | — | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 42 | 98,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 25 | 63,858 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 5 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
All Chrysler Lebaron model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron have?
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 6 complaints (19% of the total), followed by steering with 6.
Has the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Chrysler Lebaron (LeBaron, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.