1997 Chrysler Cirrus: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 69 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (13% of complaints).
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 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2017
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2011
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2007
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2006
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2006
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2006
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2005
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2005
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 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.
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.
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 1997 Chrysler Cirrus reliable?
NHTSA has 69 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chrysler Cirrus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 93,400 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus have open recalls?
8 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.