1990 Chrysler Maserati tc problems
The Chrysler TC by Maserati is a jointly developed car by Chrysler and Maserati. It was positioned as a grand tourer and introduced at the 1986 Los Angeles Auto Show. It is a "Q" body built on a modified second-generation Chrysler K platform. After two years of development delays, the TC became available in late-1988 and a total of 7,300 units (the minimum required under the contract) were manufactured in Milan, Italy, through 1990. All cars sold as 1991 models were manufactured in 1990.
Development
Lee Iacocca started a friendship with Alejandro de Tomaso while at Ford, which led to the De Tomaso Pantera, which had flopped because of safety concerns and limited interest from buyers. During the 1980s, Iacocca headed Chrysler while De Tomaso was the owner of the historic Maserati brand. In 1983, Iacocca had considered manufacturing a knock-off of a Mercedes roadster based on a Plymouth Reliant-until he was talked out of it.
In 1984, both companies signed a memorandum of understanding to create a sports coupe that ultimately became the TC, or "turbocharged coupe", an "image builder" which carried the hopes that it might help overcome Chrysler's blue-collar image and attract better-heeled customers to showrooms, and a revival of the luxury reputation they enjoyed during the late 1950s to mid-1960s with the Chrysler 300 letter series coupes and convertibles.
Chrysler also became an investor in Maserati during that period. In 1985, Lee Iacocca stated that the planned "Q-coupe" would be the prettiest Italian to arrive stateside since his mother immigrated. The luxury roadster, which resembled a Chrysler LeBaron—it shared many of the LeBaron's components—had taken five years to complete because of mismanagement and squabbling among Chrysler and Maserati engineers which resulted in delay after delay. The original plan was for the TC to be introduced before the LeBaron.
The 1989 TC used a slightly detuned 160 bhp (119 kW; 162 PS) Daytona-spec turbocharged 2.2 L straight-4. This intercooled version, known as the Turbo II, was coupled to an A413 three-speed automatic transaxle. The Turbo II was replaced by a Mitsubishi-sourced 3.0 L 141 bhp (105 kW; 143 PS) V6 engine for the 1990 and 1991 model years, with the automatic transaxle being upgraded to a four-speed A604 unit.
500 cars were built with an optional drivetrain consisting of a Getrag manual transmission and a 16-valve head version of the 2.2 L. This engine is often called the "Maserati" engine because it was assembled by Maserati and has a Maserati-branded cast valve cover.
The 200 hp (149 kW; 203 PS) 16-valve 2.2 L "Maserati" engine's cylinder head was cast in England by Cosworth and finished in Italy by Maserati. The pistons came from Mahle GmbH in Germany. The camshafts were designed by Florida-based Crane Cams and were manufactured by Maserati in Modena. The "Maserati" engine used a specially-made 2.2 block, upgraded crankshaft, and rods. A Japanese turbocharger was sourced from IHI. The rest of the engine used Turbo II parts made in the United States.
The TC's platform was based on a shortened Dodge Daytona chassis with suspension and axles from the original model (except for the 5-speed Getrag with "Maserati" engine). The bodywork was produced by De Tomaso subsidiary Innocenti. The struts and shock absorbers were specially designed for the car by Fichtel and Sachs, and a Teves anti-lock braking system was standard. The special wheels were made in Italy by the Formula One supplier Fondmetal.
After every other Chrysler executive insisted that the TC was hopeless and should be written off, Iacocca refused to accept responsibility for its failure saying it might have worked if his marketers had "positioned" it properly. According to Bob Lutz, a Chrysler executive, the partnership with Alejandro de Tomaso resulted in only the TC, a "misadventure" that wound up costing Chrysler "close to $600 million." That is, the cost to produce each of the 7,300 TCs was about $80,000 in 1990 dollars ($186,572 in 2023 dollars ).
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Common 1990 Chrysler Maserati tc problems
The Chrysler TC by Maserati, produced from 1989 to 1991, was a collaboration between Chrysler and Maserati that aimed to create a luxury sports car combining American and Italian engineering and design. However, the car faced numerous problems and was met with criticism from both automotive enthusiasts and reviewers.
One of the main issues with the Chrysler TC by Maserati was its haphazard construction. The car was built using a mix of parts from various manufacturers, including engines and transmissions from Chrysler, Mitsubishi, and Cosworth, a chassis from Dodge Daytona, bodywork from DeTomaso-subsidiary Innocenti, and suspension components from Sachs in Germany. This international collaboration resulted in a car that was overpriced, unreliable, and underperforming.
The Chrysler TC by Maserati was marketed as a luxury sports car, but its performance failed to meet expectations. The car's base engine was a 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which produced 160 horsepower. However, the top-rated engine, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200 hp built by Maserati, was still underwhelming considering the car's price tag of $37,000.
Another issue with the Chrysler TC by Maserati was its high price point. The car retailed for $37k in 1991, which is equivalent to over $80k in today's money. This made it significantly pricier than a Chrysler LeBaron with most of the options boxes ticked, and it was hard to distinguish the TC from the LeBaron from a distance.
The Chrysler TC by Maserati was also criticized for its lack of spec-sheet options. The car was sold only by select Chrysler dealers, and its exclusivity problems, coupled with a high price tag, led to slow sales. In-house projections had estimated annual sales of 10k units, but barely 7300 examples left the Italian production line over a three-year stretch.
Furthermore, the Chrysler TC by Maserati was plagued by delays and production issues. The car was initially intended to be the show car, selling 5,000 to 10,000 vehicles annually for about $33,000 and be the forerunner of the newly restyled Chrysler LeBaron convertible for model year 1987. However, delays and the release of the similarly styled Le Baron convertible two years before the Chrysler TC resulted in only 7,300 TCs being manufactured in the three model years of 1988 through 1990.
In conclusion, the Chrysler TC by Maserati was a car that failed to meet expectations in terms of performance, reliability, and sales. Its haphazard construction, high price point, and lack of spec-sheet options made it a difficult sell, and its exclusivity problems and slow sales ultimately led to its demise. Despite its initial promise, the Chrysler TC by Maserati was a failed collaboration that left many wondering what could have been.
How many Chrysler TC by Maserati were made?
7,300 units
Production ended in calendar year 1990, though a few 1991 model-year cars were produced. Approximately 7,300 units were built in total.
What is the value of a 1990 Chrysler TC?
The value of a used 1990 Chrysler TC ranges from $2,917 to $11,820, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
How much horsepower does a 1990 Chrysler TC Maserati have?
The V-6 replaced the standard four cylinder, and had a new four-speed automatic transaxle. The engine was as smooth but offered up only 141 horsepower.
Who made Maserati engines?
Ferrari
Believe it or not, Maserati engines have been built by Ferrari over the past several years. However, as of 2022, some Maserati engines are now constructed by Fiat Chrysler, while others, like the Nettuno engine, are designed by Maserati itself!
What is the value of a 1990 Chrysler TC?
The value of a used 1990 Chrysler TC ranges from $2,917 to $11,820, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
How many Chrysler TC by Maserati were made?
7,300 units
Production ended in calendar year 1990, though a few 1991 model-year cars were produced. Approximately 7,300 units were built in total.
How much horsepower does a 1990 Chrysler TC Maserati have?
The V-6 replaced the standard four cylinder, and had a new four-speed automatic transaxle. The engine was as smooth but offered up only 141 horsepower.
What does TC stand for in engines?
NA is acronym for Naturally Aspirated and TC stands for TurboCharged. An engine take air to burn the fuel. Above are two different methods for air intake inside combustion chamber. For same capacity (CC) engine Turbocharger helps the engine to deliver high torque and power compare to Naturally Aspirated.
1990 Chrysler Maserati tc car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chrysler Maserati tc problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Chrysler Maserati tc vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1990 Chrysler Maserati tc complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Chrysler Maserati tc.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-07-09
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: 1990 CHRYSLER TC WITH 4 FIRESTONE SS-10 FIREHAWK 205/60/R15 TIRES. TWO OF THE TIRES HAVE STARTED TO SEPARATE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE THE MOST RECENT ONE. NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE, ALWAYS PROPERLY INFLATED. BOTH TIRES HAD SIMILAR BULGE IN OUTER PERIMETER OF TREAD IN SAME AREA. CAN DELIVER TO FIRESTONE FOR STUDY. JUST WANT A NEW TIRE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONE. LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER GAVE ?!@#$% STORY THAT TIRES ARE ONLY GUARANTEED FOR 3 OR 4 YEARS DISPUTE TREAD WEAR AND I SHOULD REPLACE THEM ALL IMMEDIATELY BASED ON AGE (HE SAID 4 YRS OLD). HE WANTS TO GIVE ME $20 ALLOWANCE EACH EVEN THOUGH MORE THAN HALF THE TREAD IS LEFT AND THE TIRES LIST FOR $74 EACH(CURRENT MODEL IS FIRESTONE INDY 500). *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-10
- VIN: ZC2FS1201LB
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INOPERABLE. *SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-29
- VIN: ZC2FS120XLB
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ABS: EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE; YELLOW ABS LIGHT CAME; STILL HAD BRAKES; RED LIGHT CAME ON; PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TT
1990 Chrysler Maserati tc recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1990 Chrysler Maserati tc.
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1990 Chrysler Maserati tc problems:
Reliability as a Daily Driver? - Chrysler's TC by Maserati - Antique ...
Oct 8, 2010 ... the most common found problem that I had with my TC were simple electrical problems mostly cured by cleaning the grounds or replacing a switch.
Curbside Classic: 1989 Chrysler's TC By Maserati - The (Deadly ...
Sep 19, 2018 ... ... problems the original owner had with the car ... common knowledge yet. I have thanked my wife ... 1990 Chry/Maserati TC! Not sure what all the ...
A Series of Unfortunate Problems - Chrysler's TC by Maserati ...
Dec 5, 2015 ... The idle bypass passage can get gummed up pretty bad over time and cause sticking idle problems and stalling. A bad TPS could also cause ...
1990 Chrysler TC Maserati: Common Problems & Q&A
Jul 16, 2009 ... Hi my name is john. Here what the book say. there is two flasher. The fuse panel is located under the instrument panel to the left of the ...
Interested in a TC, but don't know much about their upkeep ...
Feb 13, 2005 ... February 13, 2005 in Chrysler's TC by Maserati ... 1990 16v or a 1990 ... 604 Transaxle failures, ABS problems, rear brake caliper problems, 2.2L ...
Other years of Chrysler Maserati tc
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