CHRYSLER IMPERIAL · model year

1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL

38 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993CHRYSLERIMPERIAL carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 IMPERIAL is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 15 filings, followed by service brakes (4) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning light (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 88 investigation files overlapping the 1993 IMPERIAL, and 7 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

38
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

38 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15
SERVICE BRAKES4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT2
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
SUSPENSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY1

Recent Complaints

20200610SERVICE BRAKES

CHRYSLER SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR FAILING TO ISSUE BETTER AND PERMANENT RECALLS FOR THIS CAR. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS! I WAS DRIVING MY CHRYSLER AND TRIED TO STOP FOR SOME KIDS CROSSING THE STREET BUT THE BRAKES SUDDENLY GAVE OUT AND BECAME VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE AND I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID KILLING THESE KIDS! I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD JUST TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN, LET ALONE COMPLETELY STOP. I LATER LEARNED AND WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME RECALLS THAT THIS MODEL USES ELECTRIC POWER BRAKES AND THE PUMP AND MASTER CYLINDER BECOME FAULTY. APPARENTLY, THE MASTER CYLINDER AND ACCUMULATOR ASSEMBLY HAS A SEAL THAT LEAKS PRESSURE AND CAUSES THE ELECTRIC BRAKE FLUID PUMP TO RUN MORE THAN IT WAS DESIGNED AND IT EVENTUALLY WEARS OUT AND JUST STOPS WORKING AND POWER BRAKES ARE LOST. THE RESULT IS LIKE TRYING TO STOP A FREIGHT TRAIN. CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE VIRTUALLY SWEPT THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE RUG! I HAVE RECALLS FROM CHRYSLER THAT

Mileage: 140,000

20160713SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20160310FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CONNECTION OF THE FUEL WELL AND THE CROSSOVER TUBE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 210,000

20151215SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20151215SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED IT, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PUMP AND PISTON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V0999000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 04/29/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS BOUGHT BACK BY CHRYSLER. UPDATED 11/21/2017*JS

Mileage: 140,000

20111007SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK) BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

Mileage: 171,000

20090113SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SLOW RESPONSE AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08E032000 (EQUIPMENT), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000. THE ABS PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB

Mileage: 87,000

20071015FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. SHE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE ANTI - FREEZE FROM HER VEHICLE LEAKED OUT. A NEW RADIATOR WAS INSTALLED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ADMITTED THAT THE OLD RADIATOR CAP WAS USED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED SHE NEEDED ANOTHER NEW RADIATOR INSTALLED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20060320SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON PURCHASE, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE ABS ACTUATOR. ONE MONTH LATER, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, AND THEN THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP IN NEUTRAL. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 96V099000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 138,000

20041229FatalSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AT THIS TIME. *JB

Mileage: 89,000

20040827SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

RECALL 96V099000 REPAIRS WERE DONE FOR ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WHICH FAILED. CURRENTLY, ABS BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, AND CONSUMER HAD TO CONTINUE TO ADD BRAKE FLUID. *AK

20040728SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MY ELDERLY FATHER TOOK HIS CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS RE: (NHTSA ID# 96V099000). THE REPLACEMENT PISTON ASSEMBLY AND PUMP MOTOR THAT WAS SHIPPED WAS DEFECTIVE. CHRYSLER SAYS THEY HAVE NO MORE INVENTORY AND HE WILL NOW HAVE TO WAIT 2 TO 4 WEEKS MINIMUM FOR PART TO BE MANUFACTURED. HE HAS CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT A RENTAL VEHICLE SINCE THIS IS THEIR PROBLEM AND WAS REFUSED HIS REQUEST. THERE WAS A MANDATE FOR LIFETIME WARRANTY OF THE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR. CHRYSLER HAS NONE IN STOCK. IS THERE ASSISTANCE NHSTA CAN PROVIDE IN CONVINCING CHRYSLER NOT TO FURTHER INCONVENIENCE MY FATHER AT THIS TIME BY LEAVING HIM WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION, SINCE CHRYSLER IS NOT PREPARED TO HONOR RECALL AT THIS TIME. *AK

Mileage: 135,500

20030726FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

JULY 26, 2003 BONNIE SULLIVAN 7 CONYERS ST GREENVILLE S.C. 29609 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I'M THE OWNER OF A 1993 CRRYS. IMPERIAL WHICH I'M VERY FUND OF. RESENTLY I HAVE BEEN HAVEING A GREAT DEAL OF TROUBLE WITH THE ANTILOCK ABS PUMP SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE PUMP REPLACED AND WHEN THIS WAS DONE THE REPAIR MAN SAID THAT IT WASN'T THE PROBLEM BECAUSE AFTER THE REPAIR THE BRAKES STILL WILL NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION BACK IN 1995-1996 FOR THE RECALL OF THESE PARTS AND MALFUNCTION. THE REPAIR OF MY CAR IS VERY COSTLY AND I'M WITH OUT THE FUNDS TO KEEP PUTTING MONEIES INTO NONFUNCTIONALING PARTS WHICH RANK FROM $600.00-$3000.00. IAM WRITTING THIS COMPLAINT IN SEARCH OF ANSWERS AND RESOLUTION TO MY BRAKE PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND MAKE. IF THE PARTS ARE ON A RECALL MANUFACTURER'S LIST THEN SPENDING MONEY TO REPAIR DOESN'T FALL ON ME FOR THE RESPONSIBLILTY. I REQUEST THAT SOME ONE CONTACT ME BY MAIL OR PHONE TO ASS

Mileage: 131,060

20021001ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CONSUMER STATES THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH SHORTENED OUT CAUSING IT TO MELT. *TT *SCC

20020925SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED . NLM

20020617SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THERE IS A HUMMING NOISE AND VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE REAR DISC BRAKES WERE WORN AND ALSO THE ABS ACCUMULATOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS ADMITTED THAT THERE IS AN ABS PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*JB

20011026SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE ABS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR IS FAULTY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. *NOTE: SERVICE FOR RECALL 96V099000 WAS PERFORMED ON 01/13/1999. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

20010314SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP IN REGARD TO RECALL NOTICE 96V099000/ ABS BRAKE FAILURE WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

19991105SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE COSTS OF THE REPAIRS ARE $1900.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER AND AROUND $2500.00 FOR THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHAT MADE THESE PROBLEMS SUSPECT, WAS AFTER MY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR MY FATHER HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THIS SECOND CAR WAS PURCHACED AT A DIFFERENT DEALER.

19991105POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

THE COSTS OF THE REPAIRS ARE $1900.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER AND AROUND $2500.00 FOR THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHAT MADE THESE PROBLEMS SUSPECT, WAS AFTER MY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR MY FATHER HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THIS SECOND CAR WAS PURCHACED AT A DIFFERENT DEALER.

Compare 1993CHRYSLERIMPERIAL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 7 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL have?
The 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL has 38 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL?
The most-complained component for the 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT.
Is the 1993 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.