The most-reported Imperial run is 1C3XY56R9LD (1990 builds) with 14 complaints, 4.4× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 45% of reports; 1990 is the worst model year at 5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for Imperial model years 1981–1993.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chrysler Imperial has 68 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 28% of every Imperial complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C3XY56R9LD•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — | |
| 1C3XY56R8MD•••••• | 1991 | 1 | — | |
| 1C3XY56R6LD•••••• | 1990 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1C3XY56R7LD•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1C3XY56R2LD•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1C3XY56R0LD•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — | |
| 1C3XY56RXLD•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — | |
| 1C3XY56R4MD•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| 1C3XY56R1MD•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| 1C3XY56R5LD•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1C3XV56L5ND•••••• | 1992 | — | — | |
| 1C3XY56R8LD•••••• | 1990 | — | — |
Each of the other 56 Imperial runs has 4 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chrysler Imperial the gap between build years is 2.2×: a 1990 car draws 5 complaints per run, a 1993 one 2.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 25 | 11 | — | |
| 1992 | 39 | 16 | 1 | |
| 1991 | 63 | 24 | 4 | |
| 1990 | 90 | 18 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 1990 at 5 complaints per run; lightest is 1993 at 2.3.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 45% of everything Chrysler Imperial owners report: Service Brakes, 167 of 217 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 6 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 6 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | 1 | |
| Gasoline | — | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Steering | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 5 recall campaigns on the Chrysler Imperial; the 5 below cover build years 1981 to 1993. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 96V099000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 1990–1993 |
| 91V191000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 1990–1991 |
| 81V111000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1981–1982 |
| 92V015000 | Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar | 1992 |
| 91V122000 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 1991 |
96V099000 was opened in 1996 on cars built from 1990: 6 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 217 reports on the Chrysler Imperial, 4.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Chrysler Imperial | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 217 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 9 (4.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 2 (0.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chrysler Imperial share of that is 217 complaints over 68 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chrysler Imperial VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 217 NHTSA complaints from 68 Imperial runs and 5 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Imperial production run has the most complaints?
1C3XY56R9LD, a 1990 build, with 14 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Imperial run has 3.2.
Which Imperial years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1990 is heaviest at 5 complaints per run and 1993 lightest at 2.3.
How many Imperial complaints involve a crash?
4.1% of 217 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 2 involved a fire.
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