The Chrysler New Yorker was the flagship vehicle of the Chrysler Corporation for almost 57 years. It was originally produced in 1939 and would go through eleven generations before it was finally retired in 1996. The first generation New Yorker was available as a 2-door convertible, 2-door coupe and a 4-door sedan. This original model was equipped with a 3 speed manual transmission and a 323 cubic inch 5.0 liter engine.
Over the course of most of its early lifetime, the Chrysler New Yorker has undergone several different evolutions. Each generation was offered with a slightly larger engine than previous generations. The New Yorker changed from a 323 cubic inch 5.0 liter V8 engine in the first generation models, to a 440 cubic inch 7.2 liter V8 engine during its sixth generation. After the sixth generation, engine sizes became smaller and the eleventh generation New Yorker ended its run with a 214 cubic inch 3.5 liter V6 engine.
Although the Chrysler New Yorker enjoyed a long and illustrious production run, the line had its fair share of mechanical problems. Models produced during the 1970s had several different types of mechanical problems and some of them were even recalled. The problems with the New Yorker models of the 1970s included electrical short circuits between the battery and the alternator and various vacuum hose problems. While the vacuum hose problems were generally minor and cost about $75 to fix, the short circuit of the alternator wiring could shorten the life span of the alternator and cause between $600-$1000 in damage.
During the 1980s, Chrysler New Yorkers had various mechanical problems that not only were fairly expensive to fix but could potentially cause hazardous driving conditions. The main problem associated with the New Yorkers during this time was a defect in the vehicle speed control. This problem not only costs about a $100 to correct, but also could potentially cause the driver to be unable to stop accelerating.
Another mechanical problem associated with Chrysler New Yorkers, particularly from the late 1980s on, were problems with the suspension. Often times the front suspension control arm would prematurely erode and could possibly break. This would result in a fracturing of the axle, resulting in a repair that costs several thousand dollars.
Chrysler New Yorker owners can avoid many of these costly repairs by making sure they purchase a Chrysler New Yorker Extended Warranty. These warranties not only cover expenses related to automobile defects but also covers wear and tear that may occur to the vehicle over time.