The 1990 Chrysler LeBaron has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission slipping and shift failure.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1990 Chrysler LeBaron.
POWER TRAIN
19 NHTSA complaints · 1995-02 → 2002-05
“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKS INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AND WILL NOT UPSHIFT”
“THE CAR AT 47,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP AND THEN LOCKS UP COMPLETELY, AND NOW IS BROKEN AGAIN”
“TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN STOPPED AND CAR JERKS - AT 75,000 MILES AND ALL THAT IS IN THE DATA BANK”
VISIBILITY
7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-06 → 2001-05
“REAR SEAT, BOTH SIDE WINDOWS DO NOT WORK DUE TO THE POWER WINDOWS MOTORS FAILING”
“REAR RIGHT SIDE ELECTRICAL WINDOW MOTOR FAILED 5 TIMES,”
“REPLACED POWER WINDOW MOTORS 5 TIMES”
SEATS
4 NHTSA complaints · 1995-01 → 1997-05
“SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS BECAUSE THE BOLT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE”
“WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, THE SEAT ANCHOR BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS INTO THE REAR SEAT”
“DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, BOLT FRACTURED”
POWER TRAIN
5 NHTSA complaints · 1995-03 → 2005-05
“UPON DRIVER EXITING VEHICLE, VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DUE TO INTERLOCK SYSTEM ALLOWING KEY TO BE REMOVED WITHOUT TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK GEAR”
“LACK OF INTERLOCK SYSTEM, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL”
“TOOK THE KEY OUT AND WITHOUT PUTTING VEHICLE INTO PARK THE CAR WILL ROLL EVEN WHEN THE MOTOR IS TURNED OFF”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-02 → 2003-01
“REAR BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE SHOE”
“BACKING OUT WHEN BRAKES/EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY”
“A REAR BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE SHOE”
AIR BAGS
7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-02 → 2000-07
“NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN HEAD/CHEST INJURIES TO DRIVER”
“WHILE DRIVING, OVER DIP IN ROAD, AIRBAG DEPLOYED, NO COLLISION, RESULT DRIVER SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS”
“WHEN DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WON'T GO BACK IN MAY OF 1998 THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID'NT DEPLOY”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 NHTSA complaints · 1995-02 → 2002-05
“CAR TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING”
“ELETRICAL: WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE TOTALLY SHUT DOWN”
“VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS OUT AT ANY SPEED”
SUSPENSION
7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-03 → 1998-07
“TRAILING ARM ON REAR AXLE BROKE”
“REAR AXLE SWAY BAR SEEMS TO BE STRUCTURALLY WEAK, WHICH IF BROKEN COULD RESULT IN LOSE OF CONTROL OF STEERING”
“REAR TORSION BAR FAILED, AFFECTING VEHICLE'S STABILITY”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1990 Chrysler LeBaron reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.