The 1992 Chrysler LeBaron has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear axle and stabilizer bar fractures.” 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 1992 Chrysler LeBaron.
SUSPENSION
10 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 1999-01
“THERE WERE WELD CRACKS IN THE REAR AXLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & INFORMED BY MECHANIC IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW REAR AXLE”
“STABILIZER BAR WELD BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE OF FRAME; DEALER/MSNUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS COST IS TO THE CONSUMER”
“THE REAR AXLE MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AXLE HAS SEVERAL CRACKS”
POWER TRAIN
8 NHTSA complaints · 1996-01 → 1999-01
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LOW GEAR WITH OUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED”
“WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO REVERSE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL”
“WHILE DRIVING AT <5 MPH (RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC), DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR AND CAR REACTED AS IF IN NEUTRAL (REVVING, NO MOVEMENT), LET OFF GAS AND TRIED AGAIN”
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 2002-04
“FUEL LINE BURST AT 70MPH CAUSING 3 GALLONS OF GASOLINE TO SPEW OVER ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT”
“FUEL UNDER PRESSURE STARTED POURING/SPRAYING ONTO ENGINE; COVERED ENGINE COMPARTMENT; INSULATION UNDERHOOD COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH FUEL; LOST 4 GALLONS FUEL”
“LINE RUNNING TO THE FUEL TANK SMELLED OF FUEL LEAKING, BRACKET THAT HOLDS TUBE RUBBED A HOLE IN FUEL LINE, IN FOR REPAIRS”
SEATS
5 NHTSA complaints · 1995-03 → 2001-02
“DRIVING VEHICLE AT VERY LOW SPEED, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE. *AK”
“WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S POWER BUCKET SEAT TRACK BROKE AWAY FROM ANCHOR POINT CAUSING SEAT TO ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE, NO PRIOR WARNING”
“WHILE AT A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WAS REARENDED. UPON IMPACT, DRIVERS SEAT BECAME LOOSE AND SHAKY, PARTIALLY DETATCHED FROM ANCHORS”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-07 → 1997-07
“WHEN MADE ATTEMPT TO STOP, EXPERIENCE BRAKE FAILURE, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, THEN CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE”
“WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE REAR ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP, OWNER NOTES THAT THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY IN RAINY WEATHER; ALSO, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR”
“ABS, BRAKE FAILURE, ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON, APPLIED BRAKES, HAD COMPLETE LOSS, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 25 MPH”
AIR BAGS
7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-11 → 2001-02
“WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED*AK. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND KNEE”
“WHILE DRIVING OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING INJURIES”
“NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IN AN ACCIDENT”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
6 NHTSA complaints · 1995-07 → 1998-07
“VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT LOW SPEED CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL”
“WAS IN TRAFFIC WHEN VEHICLE DIED FOR NO REASON. SPEED WAS NOT INVOLVED. TOOK TO DEALER”
“VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. TT”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 NHTSA complaints · 1994-12 → 2000-09
“STARTING UP VEHICLE AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM THE UNDER THE DASH OF THE STEERING COLUMN, AND SHUT OFF VEHICLE. GOT OUT AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE”
“WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE”
“COMPUTER SHORTED OUT, CAUSING A FIRE”
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 1992 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.