Chrysler IMPERIAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
192 owner complaints analyzed
22 distinct recall campaigns
103,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1966 to 1995 model years. Data snapshot: . 63 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 98 of 192 complaints (51.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 149 | 77.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 1.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 98 |
| Service Brakes | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 98; Service Brakes: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 8; Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 129 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 56 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
1995: 56; 1996: 17; 2000: 9; 2001: 8; 2002: 17; 2003: 23; 2004: 14; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 8; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 5; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 7; 2016: 4; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 149 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004279 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT ABS BRAKES FAILED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004328 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
HYDRAULIC ABS UNIT FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. 154,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 974052 · 1995-10-27 (October 27, 1995)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL LOCK INTO SECOND GEAR, WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN 30MPH. TT CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ONLY 40 F OR LOWER TEMPERATURES, TEMPERATURE ABOVE 40 TRANSMISSION OOPERATES NORMALLY, VEHICLE SPEEDS OF 50 MPH CAN BE ATTAINED BUT ENGINE RPM IS HIGH DUE TO LACK OF SHIFTING INTO 3RD AND 4TH GEAR.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341622 · 2010-07-06 (July 6, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LINKAGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502972 · 1996-04-03 (April 3, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960784 · 1995-02-28 (February 28, 1995)
BATTERY FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972878 · 1995-10-03 (October 3, 1995)
THE SPEED ODOMETER NEVER WORKED RIGHT, WHEN DRIVING CAR STALLED AND THE BRAKES WORK AND GO OUT . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972878 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975630 · 1995-11-28 (November 28, 1995)
POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER BELT FRACTURED, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975630 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
1981: 1; 1982: 1; 1990: 2; 1991: 3; 1992: 2; 1993: 1; 1994: 0; 1995: 0