Chrysler Imperial Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chrysler Imperial model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1995 drew the fewest (1) and the 1990 the most (108).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1994 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1993 Among the fewest complaints |
35 | 1 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1992 Among the most complaints |
49 | 2 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1991 Among the most complaints |
84 | 3 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1990 Among the most complaints |
108 | 2 | Service brakes | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chrysler Imperial years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1990 Chrysler Imperial: 108 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 92 (85%); Suspension 5 (5%); Fuel system 4 (4%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 89,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1991 Chrysler Imperial: 84 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 56 (67%); Suspension 12 (14%); Fuel system 5 (6%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 100,036 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
1992 Chrysler Imperial: 49 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 39 (80%); Power train 4 (8%); Suspension 4 (8%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 131,513 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Chrysler Imperial years with the fewest complaints
1995 Chrysler Imperial: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 1 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
1994 Chrysler Imperial: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (33%); Service brakes 1 (33%); Suspension 1 (33%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 0 recall campaigns listed.
1993 Chrysler Imperial: 35 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 24 (69%); Suspension 4 (11%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (6%).
Reports mention 2 fires, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 135,500 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chrysler Imperial owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 135,500 |
| 1992 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 131,513 |
| 1991 | 84 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 100,036 |
| 1990 | 108 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 89,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chrysler Imperial recalls
- CHRYSLER/BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:ANTI-SKID SYSTEM (1990–1993 model years; 321,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1996; 96V099000)
- EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL (1981–1982 model years; 150,000 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 1981; 81V111000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN (1991 model year; 130,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 1991; 91V122000)
- BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:HOSE:NON-METALLIC (1990–1991 model years; 80,000 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 1991; 91V191000)
- STEERING:COLUMN SHAFT UPPER (1992 model year; 20,000 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 1992; 92V015000)
All 5 Chrysler Imperial recall campaigns · Chrysler Imperial problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chrysler Imperial years FAQ
Which Chrysler Imperial year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1995 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chrysler Imperial years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1990, 1991 and 1992 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chrysler Imperial problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (213 of 280 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chrysler Imperial have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the Chrysler Imperial. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chrysler Imperial recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.