1996 Chrysler Cirrus: problems, recalls and reliability
11 recalls and 160 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (21% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My front tires feel like they are going to break off the vehicle due to the lower ball joints,steering control arm, inner and outer tie rods; accelerates all by itself. Will not lock shifter with key out of ignition. Ecm is faulty because it shuts the lights off,turns engine,all lights, off . Unpredictably! Seat belts do not engage when stopping. If I were to be critically injured because of malfunctioning of said vehicle? Who would take responsibility of my safety and well being? This all happens while operation of vehicle. Traveling on the freeway at 55 mph. ABS malfunctions as well even when driving 15 mph. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2016
“My 1996 cirrus with only 87+++ miles suddenly downshifts while driving over 40 mph. This is a recent purchase. I live in wyoming and it is winter time with icy road conditions nearly everywhere. I am a single mother with a 10 year old daughter. When this happened to us on the highway, it caused us to spin off of the road. Luckily we were unhurt. This automobile is unsafe!!! The limp mode appears to be activated due to faulty/low quality parts by chrysler. Why isn"t this recalled??? I have no choice but to drive this car. I will sue chrysler if we have another incident!!! This incident occured when we were driving straight at about 50 mph.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler cirrus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was smoke seen from the engine compartment. The contact also noticed that there was oil leaking onto the ground. The fire was extinguished using a fire extinguisher. The dealer was contacted and they advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 96v006000 (engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline). The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 49,063.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler cirrus. The contact stated that the rear lateral link fractured, causing the rear driver side tire to fold inward while driving 10 mph. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer or local mechanic for repairs or diagnostics. The failure mileage was 118,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2011
“The car started making a creaking sound in like the axles and then it became a grinding sound . We were driving down the road and the tire just came off we slid like 20 feet before coming to a stop. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2009
“Http://nhthqnwws111.odi.NHTSA.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/artemis/public/recalls/1998/v/rc-98v183-nn.pdf recall has not been repaired and they have actually made it worse! *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jul 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chrysler cirrus. While driving 30 mph, the driver's side lower tie rod dropped from the vehicle and the tire turned at a ninety degree angle. The contact left the vehicle to get a tow and, when he returned, the police removed the vehicle. Chrysler stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 97v201000 (control arm: ball joint separation). The current and failure mileages were 80,000. Update 09/10/08 *cw updated 09/16/08*jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated there were three recalls were performed on the vehicle, which were not performed correctly. The fuel pump recall #06e091000, hood attachments #97v095000, and the ignition switch #98v183000 were the 3 recalls. All 3 recalls were completed but the problems were not corrected, and the service dealer and manufacturer were not willing to correct these issues further under the recall.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the shifter could be taken out of gear without the key in the ignition and the check engine light illuminated. A NHTSA recall, #98v183000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the park/neutral start switch however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair under the recall.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2006
“Consumer's 1969 chrysler cirrus did not pass inspection due to a so called recall on the vehicle regarding the emission system. *mr the consumer was told that there was no recall. The oil was thick and dirty at the bottom of the groove on the dip stick. The consumer requested to be compensated and or reimbursed for the time lost from work. *sc *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 11 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cirrus by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus reliable?
NHTSA has 160 owner complaints and 11 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler Cirrus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,980 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus have open recalls?
11 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.