RoadVitals

1998 Chrysler Cirrus

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
69
Latest Feb 4, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Dec 27, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 69 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and brakes categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 88 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Dec 27, 2010
22,689 units potentially affected
The defect: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
The risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Oct 9, 2009
5,787 units potentially affected
The defect: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE LLCView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT

Jul 7, 2009
30,351 units potentially affected
The defect: IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.
IMPORT PRODUCTS CO., INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA03011ClosedEngineering Analysis

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

Opened Jul 17, 2003
Closed Jan 30, 2004

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONLed to recall 04V021000
EA99028ClosedEngineering Analysis

STEERING SHAFT BINDING

Opened Sep 10, 1999
Closed Jul 26, 2001

There is no summary currently available

STEERINGLed to recall 01I012000
PE99030ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING SHAFT BINDING

Opened May 3, 1999
Closed Sep 10, 1999

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 4, 2024

Vehicle dies going down the highway sitting or idling runs for 30 minutes then dies, lots of complaints about Chrysler vehicles doing this, very unsafe, vehicle should never shut down by themselves, electrical problems.

NHTSA ID
11569760
Incident
Feb 4, 2024
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 18, 2019

THE MISFIRES AND STALLS WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S WARMED UP AND IF IT'S COLD. STALLS AND MISFIRES WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND JUST STOPS WHEN IT WANTS TOO

NHTSA ID
11170742
Incident
Jan 3, 2019
Mileage
17,356 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10920454
Incident
Oct 28, 2016
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 30, 2015

ON DEC 29TH 2015 I WENT TO BELL TIRES ROSEVILLE MICHIGAN TO HAVE A PUNCTURED TIRE REPAIRED THEY WERE REALLY BUSY SO I LEFT MY TIRE THERE WITH MY SPARE ON NEXT DAY AT 8AM ON DEC 30TH 2015 THEY SAID THEY PATCHED MY TIRE BUT THEY HAD NO TIME TO PUT THE TIRE ON SO WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRE ROSEVILLE MICHIGAN THEY NOTICE THE TIRE WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY AS THE TIRE WAS PATCHED BUT IT APPEARED THAT IT WAS NOT PLUGGED. I DON'T HAVE THE TIRE INFO RIGHT NOW I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU LATER BUT MY CAR IS 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. MY EMAIL IS [XXX]- I AM - [XXX] (I PREFER EMAIL).......PLEASE NOTICE THAT MAYBE BELL TIRE USED A NEW AND APPROVED PROCEDURE TO FIX MY TIRE THAT DOES NOT INVOLVED PLUGGING AS WELL AS PATCHING. THAT IS WHY I ASKED YOU FOR ADVICE. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR *JS

NHTSA ID
10817112
Incident
Dec 29, 2015
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 4, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE MISFIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE AND THE BALL JOINTS WERE PREMATURELY WORN. IN ADDITION, THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10692152
Incident
Nov 5, 2014
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 13, 2014

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN FEB 2014 USED WITH A LITTLE UNDER 70,000 MILES. OVERALL THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH A FEW MINOR PAINT ISSUES. WITHIN THE 1ST WEEK OF BUYING IT I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND ACT LIKE IT WOULD STALL, OR WOULD ACTUALLY STALL ALL TOGETHER ONCE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE SCARIEST IS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY & THE CAR LOOSES ALL POWER! I HAVE LEARNED IS IF I THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL THEN THE POWER WILL COME BACK UP & I DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP MOST OF THE TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO I HAVE USED FOR OVER 10 YRS & HE STILL HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE, HE SAID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE IS COMING BACK AS THE PARK/NEUTRAL SWITCH (WHICH WOULD BE THE TRANSMISSION AND COSTLY AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM). LAST WEEK MY CAR DIED & I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED SINCE IT WOULD NOT START. ENDED UP BEING THE FUEL PUMP, BUT WHEN THEY PUT THE NEW FUEL PUMP, THE PCM SHORTED IT OUT SO THAT ENDED UP BEING REPLACED AS WELL AS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR . HE THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT SADLY IT IS STILL HAPPENING :( THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO SEE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND YET CHRYSLER IS STILL NOT ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS. WHEN SOMEONE LIKE ME HAS A KID(S), IT MAKES IT VERY SCARY EVERY TIME YOU GET IN TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHAT WILL HAPPEN. AS A SINGLE PARENT, I CAN NOT KEEP PUTTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED AND RECALLED AND FIXED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND STILL WONT DRIVE OUTSIDE OF ORLANDO FOR THE FEAR OF BREAKING DOWN TOO FAR FROM HOME. PLEASE FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND RECALL SO I CAN STOP THROWING MONEY AWAY ON SENSELESS FIXES!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10644371
Incident
Feb 13, 2014
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 25, 2012

MY CAR WILL STALL OUT IN LOW OR IDOL. IT WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. WHILE DRIVING AND SWITCHING GEARS IT WILL SOUND LIKE ITS MISSING. I TOOK IT TO GET IT SMOG. THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR WAS RESETTING EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS DOING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE CHRYSLER CIRRUS 1996 WAS DOING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10463075
Incident
Jun 25, 2012
Mileage
176,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 31, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION OR PARKING, THERE WAS A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO REPAIRED VARIOUS COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND DEALER REPAIRED MOST OF THE SUSPENSION INCLUDING THE TIE ROD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,900.

NHTSA ID
10433704
Incident
Oct 31, 2010
Mileage
60,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chrysler Cirrus by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001100
2000999270.4
1999627460.6
1998Viewing697360.9
1997698465.4
199616011261.2
199536911464.7
1994301

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.