RoadVitals

1996 Chrysler Concorde Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
26
Latest Sep 12, 2009
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 161 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Chrysler Concorde submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Sep 12, 2009

I'VE HAD A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LX FOR ABOUT 1 YR. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION 99% OF THE TIME I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING THE KEY UNTIL IT TURNS ON, IF IT EVEN DOES, AND A FEW MONTHS AGO EVERYTIME MY CAR DOES TURN ON, ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING AND THE DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN. IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVABLE FOR AT LEAST 2 MONTHS NOW. REPLACED RELAYS, FUSES, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY! I EVEN TOOK IT TO A SHOP WHICH THE MANAGER IS A FAMILY FRIEND, HE HAD IT FOR 2 WKS. RAN A FULL DIAGNOSTIC AND ALSO THE BATTERY WHICH IS NEW AND HAVE EXCHANGED SEVERAL TIMES WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE. IT HAS NEW BATTERY GROUND CABLE NEW CABLE FROM ALTERNATOR TO STARTER CONNECTION, NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES AND STILL HAS ALL THESE PROBLEMS. AND NOW IF THE CAR WILL TURN ON THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. CAR WAS OVERHEATING AND IT NOW HAS A NEW THERMOSTAT. THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED! AND NOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEGUN LEAKING. AND A FEW TIMES I HAVE NOTICED THE GEARS SHIFT. THE MOST FRIGHTENING THING IS WHEN IT DOES START, IT WILL DRIVE GOOD FOR ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AND THEN, IT JUST TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNS PRIOR TO SHUTTING DOWN. I AM A DISABLED INDIVIDUAL AND AM SO STRESSED OUT BECAUSE IT IS LITERALLY UNDRIVABLE. AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR THE 1ST THING I NOTICED AFTER ABOUT A WEEK WAS THE PROBLEM WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN IGNITION OVER AND OVER AGAIN TILL IT WOULD FINALLY START. SOMETIMES I WOULD SIT IN THE CAR 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. I'M SURPRISED I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYONE ELSE MENTION THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A LEMON AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I'VE MISSED DR. APPTS. AND ALSO MY SON IS DISABLED AND WE'RE JUST HAVING THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME WITH NO RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. CAN U PLEASE POST IF ANY OF THESE ISSUES ARE SOME OF CHRYSLERS UNREPORTED DEFECTS OR RECALLS. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10283735
Incident
Apr 5, 2008
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUDDERED. I TOOK AN OFF RAMP BY THE TIME I REACHED THE END OF THE OFF RAMP THE CAR HAD DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED IS NO GOOD, DUE TO BANKRUPTY. THE DEALER INSISTED I TOW IT TO THEM AND THEY WOULD WORK WITH ME TO HELP PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY THEN BLAMED ME COMPLETELY AND REFUSED TO HELP ME AT ALL. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR REPAIR TO THIS CAR. FIRST BUSHINGS AND THEN BOLTS COMING OUT THE POWERSTEERING HOUSING. IF I HAD NOT BEEN NEAR AN OFF RAMP I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10070724
Incident
Aug 15, 2003
Mileage
81,000 mi
EngineSeat beltsVisibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE ON JULY 4, 2003. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS ON US, WE HAD ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY DENIED OUR CLAIM AND THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE DID TO, WE HAVE ALL OIL RECEIPTS AND I'VE DONE ALOT OF RESEARCH ON THE 2.7L ENGINES AND THERE ARE ALOT OF THE THESE ENGINES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM (SLUDGE BUILD UP) THE QUOTE TO REPAIR MY CAR IS $9500.00 AND I CANNOT AFFORD THIS, IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 7 MONTHS AND MY CAR IS JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY, I'M MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND IT IS NO GOOD. PLEASE HELP ALL OF US TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT CHRYSLER. IT'S US LITTLE PEOPLE AGAINST THE BIG CORPORATIONS AND WE HAVE NO CHANCE AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
10069242
Incident
Jan 15, 2002
Mileage
61,600 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2003

1996 CONCORDE 2.7 LITER ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED AT ABOUT 87,000 MILES. SERVICE HAS BEEN REGULAR AND MOSTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. AT 81,000 MILES THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLICKERING, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO CHECKED IT AND SAID NOT TO WORRY. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041146
Incident
Oct 1, 2003
Mileage
87,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 25, 2003

DEFECTIVE ENGINE LEADING TO COMPLETE FAILURE. THE CAR HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT.HE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10033485
Incident
Aug 5, 2003
Mileage
81,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2003

THE DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR EIGHT TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. *AK THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED ASSISTANCE. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10027068
Incident
Mar 1, 1996
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Aug 9, 2003

STEERING IS VERY BAD. PULLS TO THE LEFT. RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS BAD, AS WELL AS A TIE ROD. USUALLY MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. REPLACED WATER PUMP TWICE AS WELL AS THERMOSTAT. ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD. I'VE REPLACED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10031142
Incident
Jun 21, 2003
Mileage
144,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2003

GOING 70 MPH ON A FREEWAY CAR AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. HEARD CLANKING NOISE EXIT THE FREEWAY. VALVE HEAD WAS ALMOST BROKEN THROUGH DUE TO ROCKER ARM SHAFT MOUNTING BOSS BREAKING. HAD TO RECEIVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANT. CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO MACHINE SHOPS ABOUT WHAT TO DO. THE BOLTS HAD TO REPLACED. *AK *CB

NHTSA ID
10026924
Incident
Jun 16, 2003
Mileage
52,000 mi
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Jun 20, 2003

PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER CONCORDE 1996 OXYGEN SENSOR. *MR THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR NINE TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE AND PROGRAM TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. (THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THE UPSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ONCE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED CHRYSLER TO PAY FOR THE CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE REMOTE TO THE DOOR LOCK MADE A DIFFERENT SOUND, THE DRIVER'S WINDOW WAS NOISY AND WAS TIGHTENED AND LUBED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10024530
Incident
Nov 16, 2002
EngineOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Mar 22, 2003

I USE TO OWN A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LXI I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS MY WHEELS FALLING OFF, LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING. A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP STATED THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ON THE ROAD AT ALL! MY ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING 45 M.P.H., ALL POWER TO THE CAR DIED. I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO SEVERAL CONCORDE OWNERS AND THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THESE. I STOP MAKING PAYMENT FOR THIS CAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I BROUGHT IT FROM WOULD NOT FIX IT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I FEAR FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS THIS CAR NOW, THEY COULD LOSE THEIR LIFE.*JB

NHTSA ID
10010879
Incident
Sep 15, 2001
Mileage
49,555 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 19, 2003

A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10012096
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Engine
Filed Jan 24, 2003

UNDER VEHICLE WAS WATER WITH TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER TECHNICIAN ENGINE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
10004590
Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2002

THE METAL SCREW THAT HOLDS THE AIR FILTER COVER IN PLACE WILL CAUSE THE HOLES TO BECOME STRIPPED, LEAVING THE CUSTOMER UNABLE TO REPLACE THE FILTER, CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS ONLY LEAVES HIM TO HAVE THE WHOLE UNIT REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
567092
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 25, 2002

FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS CRACKED AND WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY. *AK REAR SWAY BAR BUSHING CRACKED CAUSING A RATTLE IN REAR SWAY BAR. WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. THE STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. *YH

NHTSA ID
8008587
Incident
Mar 10, 1999
EngineTransmission
Filed Jun 21, 2001

CAR INTERMITTENTLY STALLS FOLLOWING INITIAL SHIFT FROM PARK OR DRIVE. VEHICLE LOCKS IN 2ND GEAR (LIMP MODE). POOR SHIFTING, DELAY IN GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE. DELAY ENGAGEMENT AT VEHICLE START UP.*AK

NHTSA ID
747198
Engine
Filed Apr 2, 2000

WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK, WE WILL HAVE THE FOURTH WATER PUMP INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE OVER THE COURSE OF SOME 70,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
720895
Incident
Apr 2, 2000
Engine
Filed Jan 25, 2000

MY CAR HAS BEEN EATING WATER PUMPS JUST ABOUT EVERY 10,000 MILES WITH DIDTRESSING REGULARITY, STARTING WITH THE ORIGINAL PUMP AND NOW SEVERAL OTHER REPLACEMENT UNITS. THERE IS EITHER A DESIGN DEFECT IN HTE PUMP, OR THERE IS SOMETHING PECULAR TO MY ENGINE THAT HAS NOT BEEN DISCOVERED AND CORRECTED THAT KEEPS KILLING THESE PUMPS ON A REGULAR BASIS. *AK

NHTSA ID
717848
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Engine
Filed Jan 23, 2000

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 25 MILES. ENGINE STOPPED AND STEAM CAME OUT FROM RESERVE NO STEAM FROM THE WATER PUMP AREA. DEALER AND CHRYSLER SAY CAR WAS DRIVEN WITH NO COOLANT AND THAT WATER PUMP HAD FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW. CHRYSLER WILL NOT HELP. COST OF ENGINE IS $4500+ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM APPEAR ON YOUR SITE. SOMEHOW, COOLANT IS BEING LOST THROUGH THE ENGINE AND NOT BY ANY VISIBLE SIGNS SUCH AS DRIPPING ON THE DRIVEWAY. . COOLANT WAS CHECKED THREE DAYS BEFORE. NO LEAKAGE OR DRIPS ON DRIVEWAY. CHRYSLER WILL NOT HELP. FOUND SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE NHTSA SITE. COST OF REPAIR IS $4500+

NHTSA ID
717773
Incident
Jan 2, 2000
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 22, 1999

EVER SINCE THE CAR HAS HAD 7,000 MILES ON IT THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN I AM AT ARED LIGHT IT WILL REV. UP SHUDER THEN STALL IT STARTS RIGHTUP AGAIN I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING OR THEY CLEANED THROTLE BODY ASSEMBELY,FIXED A VACUUM HOSE , ADJUSTED THE CODES I CALL THE CAR COMPANY EVEN HADE A CO-PIOLT IN THERE JUST GUESTING ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED THE CAR WAS ONLY 1YEAR OLD AND SOME TIMES WHEN THE STALLING PROBLEM HAPPENS THE BRAKE PEDAL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
715147
Incident
Nov 3, 1999
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 17, 1999

CAR DIED ON FREEWAY AT 55 MPH. CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS LEAKING FIRST TIME. NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY; UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD WARPED AND LEAKING; LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET SUCKED/BLOWN OUT AND LEAKING. STILL NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
714922
Incident
Mar 15, 1999
EnginePowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Oct 28, 1999

ON JAN 25, 1999 TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. DID NOT GET OUT OF LOW GEAR WHEN IT HAPPENED. DID NOT HAVE ANY REVERSE. THE RPMS WENT UP TO 5,000 JUST TO GO 30MPH. PUT A STRAIN ON ENGINE. VEHICLE WOULD RACE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON 13 OCT 99. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC INDICATED TRANSMISSION NEEDED SEALS/PACKAGED TRANSAXLE, TORQUE CONVERTOR/ TRANSMISSION/OIL PUMP & INPUT CLUTCH REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
852138
Incident
Jan 25, 1999
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed May 31, 1999

A POPPING NOISE HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE ABOUT 12000 MILES. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO FIND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN A CURE. AT 35500 MILES I INSISTED THAT THE FRONT END BE COMPLETELY CHECKED. THE FOUR FRONT CRADLE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. ADDITIONAL CHECKING REVEALED A LEFT FRONT AXLE THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS STILL DID NOT STOP THE NOISE. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED WITH ONLY MODERATE CHANGES IN THE NOISE. NOW A LEFT FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT ARE BEING REPLACED. I HAVE NO ASSURRANCE THAT THIS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I KNOW OF ONE OTHER CHRYSLER CONCORDE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED RACK AND PINION FAILURE IN THE PAST 30 DAYS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAVE ENCOURAGED HIM TO REPORT THIS TO THE NTSB. *AK

NHTSA ID
707046
Incident
May 15, 1999
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 1999

THIS CAR HAS HAD THREE WATERPUMP FAILURES IN IT'S FIRST TWO YEARS LEAVING THE CAR AND DRIVER STRANDED.

NHTSA ID
703806
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Aug 4, 1998

LOUD NOISE ACCELERATING/AT IDLE.

NHTSA ID
538807
Incident
Jul 20, 1998
Engine
Filed Feb 2, 1998

WATER PUMP FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
530032
Incident
Jan 16, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .