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1992 Chrysler Imperial Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1992 Chrysler Imperial has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS recall 96V099000 repair recurrence and coverage.” 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.

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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.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1992 Chrysler Imperial.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS recall 96V099000 repair recurrence and coverage

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

15 NHTSA complaints · 1996-07 → 2020-01

“ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE PEDAL WAS HARD TO PUSH TO MAKE A STOP. DEALER REPLACED ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS OVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10026352
“96 V 099 000/ANTI SKID SYSTEM; ABS PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS SINCE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. CURRENTLY, PROBLEM REOCCURRING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8018128
“CONSUMER CONTINUED TO HAVE ABS FAILURE EVEN AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, DEALER REFUSES TO SERVICE CAR UNDER 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WARRENTY BECAUSE THEY SAID IT'S TOO OLD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #552291

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal to floor or loss of braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

7 NHTSA complaints · 1994-11 → 2009-09

“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10059479
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE SWERVED OFF THE ROAD INTO A VINEYARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10244147
“ABS, EA95-016 ACTIVE, WHILE DRIVING ABS, LIGHT CAME ON, COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #970182

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air suspension strut and shock failure

SUSPENSION

3 NHTSA complaints · 1997-08 → 1999-06

“ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THE FRONT SUSPENSION AIR STRUT CRACKS, CAUSING THE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP DUE TO A RUBBER RING WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #815725
“HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE TO KEEP VEHICLE UP. MECHANIC WAS SUPPOSE TO REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #826917
“AIR SHOCKS WENT OUT SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER HAD REPAIRD VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #838890

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hard brake pedal with ABS warning light

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 1995-06 → 2013-04

“ABS:BRAKES ARE VERY HARD, HAVE TO PRESS VERY HARD ON PEDAL TO BRING TO STOP;DRIVER INJURED MEDITORSAL BONE IN RIGHT FOOT BECAUSE OF PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #970067
“UPON COLD START, ABS BRAKE PEDAL VERY TIGHT ASSOCIATED W/COLD WEATHER. ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES CONTINUOUSLY ALONG W/EMERGENCY LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #979093
“ABS: WHEN APPLIED, BRAKES FAILED; ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON; PEDAL HARD, WAY ABOVE NORMAL; EXTENDED STOPPING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #967349

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Gasoline odor and fuel rail leak

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2000-01 → 2002-12

“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD SMELL FUEL. CONSUMER STATES HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED FUEL COMING OUT OF FUEL RAIL ON TOP OF ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8023795
“STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. CHRYSLER SAYS VEHICLE YEAR FROM 1993- 1997 HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT THE 1992 YEAR BUT THAT CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE OF FIRE POSSIBILITY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #717988

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

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.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

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.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

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.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

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.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

134 crashes 1990–2024

How the 134 occupant deaths break down

91

driver deaths

43

passenger deaths

134

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1992 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

1

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

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 1992 Chrysler Imperial 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.

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