The Chrysler Imperial has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–1993. On average a defect was admitted 2.11 years after the car was built, the slowest took 6 years. The most recalled system is Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 217 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Chrysler Imperial
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 Read
What's wrong. The ABS hydraulic control unit can experience excessive brake actuator piston seal wear causing pump-motor deterioration
Risk. If this condition occurs, the ABS function could be lost and reduced power assist would be experienced during vehicle braking increasing the potential for a vehicle accident
Fix. Dealers will test the vehicle's anti-lock brake system and repair the vehicles if necessary. Also the warranty on all ABS components will be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles (except for the brake actuator piston assembly and the pump-motor assembly which will have a lifetime coverage). Owners will also be…
What's wrong. The ABS hydraulic control unit can experience excessive brake actuator piston seal wear causing pump-motor deterioration
Risk. If this condition occurs, the ABS function could be lost and reduced power assist would be experienced during vehicle braking increasing the potential for a vehicle accident
Fix. Dealers will test the vehicle's anti-lock brake system and repair the vehicles if necessary. Also the warranty on all ABS components will be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles (except for the brake actuator piston assembly and the pump-motor assembly which will have a lifetime coverage). Owners will also be…
What's wrong. The ABS hydraulic control unit can experience excessive brake actuator piston seal wear causing pump-motor deterioration
Risk. If this condition occurs, the ABS function could be lost and reduced power assist would be experienced during vehicle braking increasing the potential for a vehicle accident
Fix. Dealers will test the vehicle's anti-lock brake system and repair the vehicles if necessary. Also the warranty on all ABS components will be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles (except for the brake actuator piston assembly and the pump-motor assembly which will have a lifetime coverage). Owners will also be…
Steering 1 Read
What's wrong. The zinc plating operation performed on the upper steering column shaft coupling bolt caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt
Risk. Fractures of the upper steering column shaft couplingbolt result in a lack of coupling load on the shaft and loss of steeringcontrol
Fix. Replace the zinc plated bolt with a phosphate plated bolt
Seat Belts 1 Read
What's wrong. Front outboard safety belt may become difficult to latch and or unlatch due to a webbing stiffener entering the buckle housing and dislodging the buckle latch guide
Risk. Latch may open during accident or sudden stop, exposingseat occupant to increased risk of injury
Fix. Replace buckle latch engagement
Vehicle Speed Control 1 Read
What's wrong. The automatic speed control switch may stick in the "resume" position restricting return movement. This will not allow the normal brake pedal operation to deactivate the system
Fix. The shield portion of the "resume" slide lever in the speed control unit will be replaced without charge
What's wrong. The automatic speed control switch may stick in the "resume" position restricting return movement. This will not allow the normal brake pedal operation to deactivate the system
Fix. The shield portion of the "resume" slide lever in the speed control unit will be replaced without charge
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 2.11 years |
| Slowest campaign | 6 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 22.2% |
| Campaigns on record | 5 |
Which Imperial years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1992 | Steering | |
| 1991 | Seat Belts | |
| 1990 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1982 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1981 | Vehicle Speed Control |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Chrysler Imperial have?
5 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–1993. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Imperial still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 2.11 years, and the slowest campaign came 6 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.