1978 Chrysler Lebaron Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1978 Chrysler Lebaron, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1978 Chrysler Lebaron
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
On the involved vehicles, the hood secondary catch system may be misaligned which may cause the secondary catch to malfunction. Consequently, the hood may not be securely latched.
Remedy: Dealer will adjust the catch system to fully secure the hood, without charge.
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Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
The columns may contain steering shafts in which the steering column coupling roll pin retaining notch was machined too deep. This may cause the steering wheel shaft to become disengaged from the rest of the steering assembly.
Remedy: Dealer will install a cotter pin through the roll pin to ensure retention, at no cost to owner.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
On the involved vehicles, damage to the front wheel brake hydraulic system could occur due to front wheel brake line tube corrosion. Front wheel brake hoses may become brittle and crack due to prolonged operation in cold temperatures.
Remedy: The dealer will replace both front hoses if found necessary and in addition, will install a plastic shield between the battery thermo-guard and the tubes to prevent corrosion.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1978 Chrysler Lebaron have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Vehicle's driveshaft broke causing loss of control and accident (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 28, 2000 · Power train
“Lower rear face of gas tank contacted by lower inboard hamper edge, resulting in gas tank puncture. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 20, 1996 · Fuel system, gasoline
Compare Chrysler Lebaron model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chrysler Lebaron model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 Chrysler Lebaron | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 Chrysler Lebaron | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 Chrysler Lebaron | 3 | 2 |
| 1979 Chrysler Lebaron | 0 | 1 |
| 1980 Chrysler Lebaron | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 Chrysler Lebaron | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 Chrysler Lebaron | 4 | 1 |
| 1983 Chrysler Lebaron | 4 | 2 |
| 1984 Chrysler Lebaron | 1 | 7 |
| 1985 Chrysler Lebaron | 5 | 10 |
| 1986 Chrysler Lebaron | 4 | 25 |
| 1987 Chrysler Lebaron | 2 | 42 |
| 1988 Chrysler Lebaron | 0 | 32 |
| 1989 Chrysler Lebaron | 2 | 49 |
| 1990 Chrysler Lebaron | 2 | 68 |
| 1991 Chrysler Lebaron | 5 | 63 |
| 1992 Chrysler Lebaron | 2 | 78 |
| 1993 Chrysler Lebaron | 0 | 66 |
| 1994 Chrysler Lebaron | 0 | 102 |
| 1995 Chrysler Lebaron | 0 | 75 |
| 1996 Chrysler Lebaron | 0 | 3 |
| 1997 Chrysler Lebaron | 0 | 2 |
| 2003 Chrysler Lebaron | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1978 Chrysler Lebaron
How do I know if my 1978 Chrysler Lebaron has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1978 Chrysler Lebaron; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chrysler dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 77V188000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chrysler models
- Town and Country13,517 complaints
- Pacifica7,008 complaints
- 3004,925 complaints
- 2004,187 complaints
- Sebring2,833 complaints
- Pt Cruiser2,524 complaints
- Concorde2,217 complaints
- 300C1,258 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.