1997 Chrysler Cirrus Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1112.6%
- Brakes1112.6%
- Electrical910.3%
- Transmission910.3%
- Driver assistance78.0%
- Suspension66.9%
- Visibility66.9%
- Steering66.9%
- Airbags55.7%
- Tires & wheels55.7%
- Fuel system44.6%
- Interior & seats33.4%
- Body & structure22.3%
- Heating & air conditioning22.3%
- Powertrain (other)11.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE LIGHT ON THE ODOMETER GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE ENTIRE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL FAILED. THE HORN ALSO BEGAN BLOWING WITHOUT APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH THE HORN SWITCH. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR THE FUSE FAILED WHEN USING THE HORN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SHE NOTICED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL SINCE NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 45,000 . THE CURRENT WAS 99,877.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER 3 TO 4 MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT CLEANED THE CRANKSHAFT IN A REPAIR ATTEMPT, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. UPDATED 10/25/06. *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. DIAGNOSIS SHOWED SYSTEM RELAY OUTPUT CIRCUIT CODE. TESTING SHOWED FAULTY POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER DUE TO CORROSION. PROPER REPAIR IS REPLACEMENT OF POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND HARNESS. SERVICE CENTER FOUND PART IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. SERVICE CENTER CONDUCTED NATIONWIDE PARTS SEARCH TO NO AVAIL. AS A CONSEQUENCE ABS SYSTEM IS NOW NON-FUNCTIONAL. *NM
C AR NOT BRAKING IN A TIMELY MANNER
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE LIGHT ON THE ODOMETER GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE ENTIRE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL FAILED. THE HORN ALSO BEGAN BLOWING WITHOUT APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH THE HORN SWITCH. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR THE FUSE FAILED WHEN USING THE HORN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SHE NOTICED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL SINCE NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 45,000 . THE CURRENT WAS 99,877.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE AND WITHOUT CAUSE THE VEHICLE BUSTED INTO FLAMES. THE PARKING ATTENDANT NOTIFIED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS ELECTRICAL. *AK *TT
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- THE CONTACT PARKED HER 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS IN THE DRIVEWAY, REMOVED THE KEYES AND APPROXIMATELY 30-45 SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBORS CARPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTER PLUNGER. THE CONTACT IS STILL WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,4000 MILES. *AK
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE LEAK. POTENTIAL OF FIRE OR LOSS OF DRIVE ABILITY OF CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE (3) FAILURES OF THE SAME PART. 10/21/98 AND 4/29/04 AND AGAIN TODAY 7/11/06. *NM
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
OWNED A 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR ACCELERATED TO AN INCREDIBLE SPEED WITHIN SECONDS. CAR SHOT OUT OF DRIVEWAY, ACROSS STREET INTO NEIGHBORS HOME AND GARAGE. CAR HAS INDICATION OF CONTINUED ACCELERATION AFTER IMPACT WITH RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHOWING THE TREADS NO LONGER EXIST. CAR WAS TOTALED AND HOME/GARAGE DAMAGE WAS OVER $12,000. THANK GOD! NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED! MY FAMILY AND I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER CHRYSLER AGAIN! *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED, NO APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR INSPECTION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT FIRST I HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE THAT GRADUALLY TURNED INTO A GRINDING NOISE. AFTER HAVING MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE CALIPER REPLACED, THE GRINDING NOISE TURNED INTO A METAL ON METAL GRIND WITH A PECULIAR METAL SMELL WHICH RESULTED IN SOMETHING CEASING UP (ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE HOW TIGHT THE TIRES WERE ROLLING AND HOW TIGHT THE STEERING WAS). IT WAS THE LOWER ARM AND BALL JOINT SEPARATING FROM EACH OTHER, ALL OF THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH, WE WERE ABLE TO ACCESS THE PROBLEM BETTER WHEN WE JACKED UP THE FRONT END AND REMOVED THE TIRE AND BRAKES ON THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE.
BOTH TIE RODS ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOCK UP. WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR SENDING THE CAR INTO A DITCH. FRONT END OF CAR STOPPED IN DITCH AND REAR THEN CAME OVER LANDING UPSIDE DOWN. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS EMPOLYED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER MIRROR SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
I AM A SINGLE PARENT OF THREE AND REALLY WOULD LIKE YOU TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT ALL THESE THINGS. THERE ARE PLENTY MORE BUT COULD NOT LIST EVERYTHING THAT HAS WENT WRONG WITH THIS CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS RACK AND PINION, TIRE RODS, FUEL SYSTEM, BUT THE MOST RECENT IS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IT STALLS OUT ANY TIME YOU DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN. *NM
THE TIE RODS WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *PH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH TIE RODS ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOCK UP. WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR SENDING THE CAR INTO A DITCH. FRONT END OF CAR STOPPED IN DITCH AND REAR THEN CAME OVER LANDING UPSIDE DOWN. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS EMPOLYED.
WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE VEHICLE IDLED HIGH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. *AK SINCE PURCHASE, THERE HAD BEEN THREE BLOW OUTS IN THE SIDEWALLS OF EACH TIRE, FOLLOWED BY A NOTICEABLE BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY (KUMHO TIRE) *SCC *NLM
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. A NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR. THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARTED FROM THE WHEEL. THE TIRE WAS A COOPER DISCOVERY#HT P23575R15. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS RACK AND PINION, TIRE RODS, FUEL SYSTEM, BUT THE MOST RECENT IS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IT STALLS OUT ANY TIME YOU DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN. *NM
OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD RUN ROUGH WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THEN I BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING, AND ALSO OUTSIDE THE CAR AFTER GETTING OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC. HE STATED THAT THE FUEL RAIL SEAL IS LEAKING AT THE FUEL INJECTOR AND THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS FREQUENTLY BEFORE. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON 1996 - 1999 AND SOME 2000 DODGE CARAVANS, BUT WHEN I CALLED CHRYSLER THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 59,890 MILES ON IT.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEALER HAD TO REPLACE DRIVER'S DOOR KNOB LATCH MECHANISM. CURRENTLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR KNOB LATCH MECHANISM BROKE. *AK
HOOD LATCH SPRING FAILED. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SWUNG OPEN ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO SCREW IN THE BOLT THAT HELD THE LATCH INTO PLACE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AND HOOD FLEW UP AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND WRAPPED UP OVER ROOF.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. *BF THE A/C EVAPORATED COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER AFTER 42920 MILES. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING OIL. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO DRIVE AWAY AFTER BACKING AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GO IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR SERVICE AN WAS FOUND THAT THE PIN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD COME LOOSE PUNCTURING THE TRANSMISSION CASE CAUSING RAPID FLUID LOSS. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TC
I AM A SINGLE PARENT OF THREE AND REALLY WOULD LIKE YOU TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT ALL THESE THINGS. THERE ARE PLENTY MORE BUT COULD NOT LIST EVERYTHING THAT HAS WENT WRONG WITH THIS CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. *BF THE A/C EVAPORATED COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER AFTER 42920 MILES. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING OIL. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO DRIVE AWAY AFTER BACKING AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GO IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR SERVICE AN WAS FOUND THAT THE PIN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD COME LOOSE PUNCTURING THE TRANSMISSION CASE CAUSING RAPID FLUID LOSS. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .