Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1989 Chrysler LeBaron: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron, most recently filed February 1992. Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1989 Chrysler LeBaron. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 92V017000 Filed Feb 11, 1992

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:DISC:PADS AND SHOES

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc · pads
Official NHTSA text
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.
Repair progress not yet reported41,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 92V017000
Listed for 1989 Chrysler LeBaron. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 89V237000 Filed Dec 27, 1989

ENGINE:GASKETS:VALVE COVER

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
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.
Repair progress not yet reported634,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 89V237000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (49)

49 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

10involved a crash
7involved a fire
7injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 49.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1989 compares with other LeBaron years

Best and worst LeBaron years →
1985198619871988198919901991199219931994
This year (1989)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
21
city
31
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,700
CO₂ tailpipe
356 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1989 Chrysler LeBaron configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25$2,700356
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 24$2,800370
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 24$2,800370
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23$2,900386
2.2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23$2,900386
2.5 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.5 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.5 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19$4,350468
2.5 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19$4,350468
2.5 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$4,550494
2.5 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$4,550494

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1989 LeBaron for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All LeBaron years

Where to next

1989 Chrysler LeBaron FAQ

How many recalls does the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 92V017000 (brake), 89V237000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1989 Chrysler LeBaron problems?

Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (15), Air bags (11), Electrical system (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron get?

EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1989 LeBaron compare with other years?

Among the 1985–1994 Chrysler LeBaron model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (10) and the 1994 the most (107). The 1989 drew 49. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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