The Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE spans 1984–1989 with 6 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1987, 1988, 1989 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1986, 1984, 1985. It delivers up to 19 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 FIFTH AVENUE is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1984 to 1989 across multiple generations.
How to read a Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE VIN — every digit explained
Every Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE 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 FIFTH AVENUE.
- 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 FIFTH AVENUE, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE have?
The Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE has 6 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1984–1989. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1988 Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE recalls 1
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
What's wrong. ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS FUSIBLE LINK WIRES MAY BE TRAPPED UNDER THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO BRACKET.
Risk. TRAPPED WIRES MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE A HIGH RESISTANCEELECTRICAL SHORT THAT CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix. FREE ANY TRAPPED WIRING; THEN SECURE WIRING WITH A TIE STRAP TO KEEP AWAY FROM SPEED CONTROL BRACKET.
Best and worst years for the Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 1987, 1988, 1989 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1986, 1984, 1985.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 FIFTH AVENUE | Visibility | Best | |
| 1985 FIFTH AVENUE | Steering | Best | |
| 1986 FIFTH AVENUE | Steering | Best | |
| 1987 FIFTH AVENUE | Suspension | Avoid | |
| 1988 FIFTH AVENUE | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 1989 FIFTH AVENUE | Air Bags | Avoid |
What are the most common Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE problems?
The most-reported Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE problems are Tires (1 reports), Air Bags (3 reports) and Gasoline (4 reports) — out of 40 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 FIFTH AVENUE specifications & dimensions
The 1986–1989 Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE measures 207″ long on a 113″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,770 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1989 | 207″ | 72″ | 55″ | 113″ | 3,743 lb |
| 1984 | 207″ | 74″ | 56″ | 113″ | 3,552 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the FIFTH AVENUE holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 104 cu ft of passenger volume and 18 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 FIFTH AVENUE 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 FIFTH AVENUE get?
The Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE returns up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,300/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1989 Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE (3L 6-cyl) gets 19 mpg combined and costs about $3,300/yr to fuel, emitting 468 g/mi CO₂ — about $5,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 FIFTH AVENUE | 16 | 24 | $3,300 | 468 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 1988 Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE (5.2L 8-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $4,300/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $10,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 FIFTH AVENUE | 16 | 21 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 5.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1987 FIFTH AVENUE | 15 | 20 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 5.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1986 FIFTH AVENUE | 15 | 20 | $4,800 | 555 | — | 5.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1985 FIFTH AVENUE | 15 | 20 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 5.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1984 FIFTH AVENUE | 14 | 18 | $4,150 | 592 | — | 5.2L 8-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 FIFTH AVENUE stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this FIFTH AVENUE's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE have? Power & range
The Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | FWD | Regular |
| V8 | 5.2L · 8-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | RWD | Premium |
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 FIFTH AVENUE cost to own?
A Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE 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 FIFTH AVENUE 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 FIFTH AVENUE loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $16,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the FIFTH AVENUE 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 FIFTH AVENUE safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the FIFTH AVENUE yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE last?
A well-maintained Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this FIFTH AVENUE’s VIN free →All Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 FIFTH AVENUE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1988 FIFTH AVENUE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1987 FIFTH AVENUE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1986 FIFTH AVENUE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1985 FIFTH AVENUE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1984 FIFTH AVENUE | 1 recall | — |
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 FIFTH AVENUE?
By owner-complaint volume, 1987, 1988, 1989 drew the most reports. 1986, 1984, 1985 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the FIFTH AVENUE have?
6 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1984–1989. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Chrysler recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the FIFTH AVENUE get?
Up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a FIFTH AVENUE last?
A well-maintained FIFTH AVENUE typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the FIFTH AVENUE reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the FIFTH AVENUE is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Chrysler FIFTH AVENUE 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 FIFTH AVENUE made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your FIFTH AVENUE'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 does a FIFTH AVENUE weigh?
The FIFTH AVENUE's curb weight is around 3,770 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the FIFTH AVENUE 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.