The Chrysler E-CLASS spans 1981–1984 with 5 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1983, 1984, 1982 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1982, 1984. It delivers up to 22 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Chrysler E-CLASS is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1984 across multiple generations.
How to read a Chrysler E-CLASS VIN — every digit explained
Every Chrysler E-CLASS carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Chrysler and the country it was built in (real Chrysler codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this E-CLASS.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Mexico3A3 · 3A4 · 3A7 · 3A8 · 3B4 · 3B5
- Canada2B1 · 2BA · 2V8 · 2XM
- GermanyWCD · WD6 · WDR · WDY
- USA1VH · WD2 · WD5
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your E-CLASS, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Chrysler E-CLASS have?
The Chrysler E-CLASS has 5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1984. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1984 Chrysler E-CLASS recalls 1
Suspension
What's wrong. FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk. THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
1983 Chrysler E-CLASS recalls 4
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
What's wrong. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRICAL FUEL FILLER DOOR RELEASE WHICH IS ACTIVATED THROUGH A COILED CURRENT CARRYING WIRE (A SOLENOID). A SHORT IN THE SOLENOID COULD CAUSE SPARKING AT THE ATTACHING SCREWS OF THE SOLENOID.
Fix. A SOLENOID GROUND WIRE WILL BE INSTALLED, BY THE DEALER, TO PREVENT SPARKING OF SOLENOID.
Equipment:electrical
What's wrong. THE TRAVEL COMPUTER SYSTEM WIRING, ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, MAY BE IMPROPERLY CONNECTED. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO INTERNAL COMPONENTS.
Fix. THE WIRING WILL BE RECONNECTED TO ENSURE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF IGNITION SYSTEM..
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBING ROUTED TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE SYSTEM MAY HAVE BEEN BENT OUT OF SHAPE DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD CHAFE AGAINST THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HANGER BOLT.
Fix. DEALER WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE TUBE, IF NECESSARY. A RETAINING CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FOR THE TUBING; ANY DAMAGED TUBES WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
What's wrong. FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY CORRODE AND FAIL AT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR PIVOT MOUNTS IF OPERATED WHERE SALT IS USED TO AID IN SNOW REMOVAL.
Risk. CONTROL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, ADVERSELYAFFECTING DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix. INSTALL ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AS A RESULT OF CORROSION WEAKENING.
Best and worst years for the Chrysler E-CLASS
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 1983, 1984, 1982 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1982, 1984.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 E-CLASS | — | Best | |
| 1982 E-CLASS | — | Avoid | |
| 1983 E-CLASS | Structure | Avoid | |
| 1984 E-CLASS | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Chrysler E-CLASS problems?
The most-reported Chrysler E-CLASS problems are Structure (1 reports), Suspension (1 reports) — out of 2 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Chrysler E-CLASS specifications & dimensions
The 1984 Chrysler E-CLASS. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Chrysler E-CLASS window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Chrysler E-CLASS cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the E-CLASS holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 97 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Chrysler E-CLASS tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Chrysler E-CLASS get?
The Chrysler E-CLASS returns up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1984 Chrysler E-CLASS (2.2L 4-cyl) gets 22 mpg combined and costs about $2,850/yr to fuel, emitting 404 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 E-CLASS | 20 | 25 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the E-CLASS stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this E-CLASS's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Chrysler E-CLASS have? Power & range
The Chrysler E-CLASS is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | — | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Chrysler E-CLASS cost to own?
A Chrysler E-CLASS tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used E-CLASS is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this E-CLASS loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $14,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the E-CLASS ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Chrysler E-CLASS safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the E-CLASS yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Chrysler E-CLASS last?
A well-maintained Chrysler E-CLASS typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Chrysler E-CLASS’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this E-CLASS’s VIN free →All Chrysler E-CLASS model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Chrysler E-CLASS — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 E-CLASS | 1 recall | — | |
| 1983 E-CLASS | 4 recalls | — | |
| 1982 E-CLASS | 0 | — | |
| 1981 E-CLASS | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the E-CLASS?
By owner-complaint volume, 1983, 1984, 1982 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1984 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the E-CLASS have?
5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1984. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Chrysler recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the E-CLASS get?
Up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a E-CLASS last?
A well-maintained E-CLASS typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the E-CLASS reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the E-CLASS is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Chrysler E-CLASS warranty?
New Chrysler models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Chrysler dealer.
Where is the Chrysler E-CLASS made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your E-CLASS's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Chrysler may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the E-CLASS have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.