1990-1994 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Full Review

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Chrysler LeBaron Sedan. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Chrysler LeBaron Sedan.

1990-1994 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Review

The new LeBaron sedan was a derivative of the front-drive Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim. All three shared the same chassis, but the 6-passenger LeBaron came only with V6 power. The three differed mainly in detail and trim choices--and the fact that the Spirit and Acclaim could have 4-cylinder engines. All LeBaron sedans have a driver-side airbag. The LeBaron's touring suspension package included front gas-charged struts, plus front and rear anti-sway bars.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan: Antilock braking became optional in LeBaron sedans for 1991. A new electronic analog speedometer with a secondary metric scale was accompanied by a tachometer, as well as odometer and gauge readouts.

1992 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan: An expanded lineup for '92 gave LeBaron buyers more powertrain choices. Base, LX, and Landau editions now were available, the latter with a distinctive vinyl roof. Base and Landau LeBarons dropped to a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, which sent 100 horsepower to a 3-speed automatic transmission. A V6 engine and 4-speed automatic was standard in the LX sedan and optional in other models.

1993 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan: LeBaron sedans gained fresh taillamps and a new rear fascia for '93. The mid-level LX disappeared, leaving only a base model (renamed LE) and the top-of-the-line Landau.

1994 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan: LE and Landau LeBaron sedans returned for '94, adding a motorized shoulder belt for the front passenger, to meet passive restraint requirements. No more 4-cylinder engines were installed, leaving only the V6, now driving a 3-speed automatic transmission. The 4-speed overdrive automatic was an option.

1990-1994 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Automatic-transmission performance

Antilock brakes (optional)

Quietness

Passenger and cargo room

Visibility

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Quiet and competent, the luxurious compact LeBaron sedan is quite a pleasant surprise. Handling is reasonably good and the ride is pleasing, helped by a touring-type suspension. Acceleration with the 6-cylinder engine, at least, is smooth and responsive. On the downside, early automatic transmissions downshift too sluggishly for easy passing on the highway. Brake feel and control are good, too, though the nose dives a bit in hard stops. A tauter handling suspension might be found on later models, and LeBarons had a choice of several fixed and split bench seats. On the whole, though, new LeBarons did not come with the suspension and seating choices that faced buyers of the Dodge Spirit. Chrysler promised more rear leg room than any domestic sedan in its class. Roomy interiors offer top-notch visibility. Bench seats are comfortable in the traditional mode, if not quite sufficiently supportive to suit everyone. The LeBaron's big, flat-floored trunk is easy to load.

Value for the Money
No, there's nothing startling about a 4-door LeBaron, but these are solid, capable family sedans offering entry-level luxury and a likable persona, plus a distinctive appearance. Although they lag behind Japanese rivals in overall quality, they're also cheaper secondhand.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Chrysler Lebaron	Rating

Performance	4

Fuel Economy	5

Ride Quality	5

Steering/Handling/Braking	5

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	5

Total:	45

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1994 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: If the air conditioner gradually stops cooling and/or the airflow from the vents decreases, the computer (PCM) may not be sending a signal to the compressor clutch relay to cycle off, which causes the AC evaporator to freeze up. (1991-94)

Alternator belt: Unless a shield is installed under the engine on the right side, deep snow could knock the serpentine belt off the pulleys of 3.0-liter engines. (1991-94)

Automatic transmission: 41TE or 42LE automatic transaxles could take several seconds to engage at startup because of a problem with the valve body. (1993-94)

Cold-starting problems: 2.2- or 2.5-liter engines may idle rough or stumble when first started below freezing temperatures unless a revised intake manifold (with an "X" cast into the number 1 runner) was installed (1992), a revised computer (PCM) was installed (1992-93), or the computer was reprogrammed (1994).

Engine noise: The motor mount on the left side of the engine tends to break. (1992-93)

Oil consumption: High oil consumption and smoke from the exhaust at idle and deceleration on 3.0-liter engines is caused by exhaust valve guides that slide out of the heads. (1990-93)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$450

Alternator	$315

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$905

Brakes	$240

Constant Velocity Joints	$375

Exhaust System	$310

Radiator	$315

Shocks and/or Struts	$340

Timing Chain or Belt	$345

NHTSA Recall History

1990: Engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow oil leak, which could cause a fire.

1990: On cars with grey interior, airbag inflator modules may not contain diffuser holes between ignitor and propellant chambers, so airbag would not deploy in an impact, which could lead to driver injury.

1991: Both airbag system front impact sensors may not be secured to mounting brackets, so airbag would not deploy in a frontal collision.

1991: Front disc brake caliper guide pin bolts may not be adequately tightened and could loosen, which could cause reduced braking effectiveness that might result in accident.

1991: Front-outboard seatbelt may become difficult to latch and/or unlatch; latch may then open during accident or sudden stop, increasing risk of injury.

1992: Zinc plating of some upper steering column shaft coupling bolts could cause hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.

1994: Seatbelt assembly on small number of cars may fail in accident.

1990-1994 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
LeBaron	$0	$0	$0

1991
LeBaron	$1,000-1,300	$600-800	$100

1992
LeBaron	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200

1993
LeBaron	$1,300-1,700	$800-1,100	$200

1994
LeBaron	$1,500-2,000	$1,000-1,300	$200-300

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1994 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	103.5

Overall Length, in.	182.7

Overall Width, in.	68.1

Overall Height, in.	55.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	2971

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.0

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	38.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.9

Rear Head Room, in.	37.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

For 1990-91, the LeBaron sedan employed just one powertrain: a Mitsubishi-built 3.0-liter V6 engine with multi-point fuel injection, connected to an Ultradrive 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. A 4-cylinder engine arrived in 1992, standard on base and Landau sedans, while mid-range LX sedans used the V6. A year later, the LX was gone but Landaus got the V6 as standard fare. For their final season, all LeBarons carried a V6, with a choice of 3- or 4-speed automatic.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I4	2.5 / 153	100	135	3-speed automatic: 23/28	3-speed automatic: --

ohc V6	3.0 / 181	141	171	4-speed automatic: 20/28	4-speed automatic: 21.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1994 LeBaron

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Mexico, USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1994 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Review:

Chrysler LeBaron Sedan

Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Road Test

Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Reliability

Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Prices

Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Specs & Safety

Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Photos

Chrysler LeBaron Sedan Full Review