The 1994 LeBaron (final year) sits on Chrysler's aging AA-body platform with notorious automatic transmission failures and cylinder head gasket issues on the 3.0L Mitsubishi V6. The turbo four-cylinders are more robust mechanically but share the same transmission gremlins.
A604 (41TE) Automatic Transmission Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 upshift, especially when cold, Slipping under acceleration or no movement in gear, Transmission overheating, burnt ATF smell, Check engine light with transmission codes
Fix: Full rebuild required in most cases (12-16 hours labor). Common failures: solenoid pack, overdrive clutch pack, and pump wear. Cooler line replacement and external filter update mandatory during rebuild. Fluid-only changes rarely save a symptomatic trans.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
3.0L V6 Head Gasket Failure (Both Banks)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, sweet smell, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Oil milky on dipstick or in radiator, Overheating or rough idle when warm
Fix: Both head gaskets typically fail together on the Mitsubishi 6G72 due to inadequate clamping force. Requires cylinder head removal both sides (14-18 hours), resurfacing heads, and often new valve seals. If overheated severely, heads may crack requiring replacement.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Turbo Four Main and Rod Bearing Wear
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Knocking or rumbling from lower engine, worse on cold start, Low oil pressure warning at idle when hot, Metallic debris in oil filter, Progressive power loss
Fix: The 2.2T and 2.5T engines suffer bearing wear if oil changes were neglected or turbo oil return restricted. Requires engine removal and complete bottom-end rebuild (20-26 hours) or long block replacement. Crank may need grinding or replacement.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500
Transmission Mount and Output Shaft Bearing Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting into drive or reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Whining or growling noise that changes with speed, Shifter feels loose or vague
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount collapses allowing driveline movement; output shaft bearing wears from fluid contamination or mount-induced stress. Mount replacement is 2-3 hours; output bearing requires trans removal and partial disassembly (8-12 hours). Often done together.
Estimated cost: $180-450 (mount only), $1,200-1,800 (with bearing)
Valve Stem Seals Hardening (All Engines)
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Blue smoke puff on cold start or after idle, Oil consumption 1 quart per 1,000 miles or more, Spark plug oil fouling on one or more cylinders, Smoke on deceleration after highway driving
Fix: Valve seals become brittle and crack. Requires cylinder head removal (8-12 hours per bank on V6, 6-9 hours on I4). Good opportunity to do head gaskets and valve job simultaneously. Can sometimes be done without full head removal using compressed air method but risky on high-mileage engines.
Estimated cost: $900-1,600
Fuel System Clogging and Filter Restriction
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Stumbling or hesitation under acceleration, Hard starting, especially when hot, Stalling at idle or low speed, Loss of power at highway speeds
Fix: In-tank fuel pump sock clogs with sediment; inline filter (when equipped) rarely changed. Pump replacement requires tank drop (3-4 hours). Turbo models particularly sensitive to fuel pressure drop. Always replace filter and inspect tank condition during pump jobs.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Pass unless you're getting it cheap and can verify recent transmission rebuild and head gasket service — these are expensive time bombs that often exceed the car's remaining value.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.