1996 Chrysler LHS: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 135 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler lhs. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate and steer to the right and left without warning. The contact stated that the subframe bushings of the vehicle were deteriorated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 84,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2016
“Drivers side front wheel lost control while turning left. Car had to be towed. Diagnosing failure today. Believe either tie rod or steering box. If your steering wheel has any play would highly recommend not driving until having it looked at by mechanic. Lives could easily be lost at highway speeds. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2014
“I put power steering fluid in and motor oil and transmission in the car and it caught on fire. My kids was in the car with me. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“1.cluncking,grinding, doesn't steer properly 2.every time it's on the road 3.parts will be replaced when we have the money to do so. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2009
“1996 chrysler lhs, loose steering. Discovered steering at risk of total failure, tie rod/rack & pinion bushing completely disintegrated. If not discovered in time, could have caused complete failure of steering due to bolt shearing, perhaps causing fatal or at the very least, extremely injurious accident.. *tr”Owner report · Steering · May 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chrysler lhs. The contact noticed a leak and smelled gasoline coming from the vehicle. The dealer stated that the leak originated from the fuel pump and that her VIN was included in NHTSA campaign id number 98v184000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The dealer called the manufacturer and they stated that the parts were no longer available for the recall repair. The vehicle is currently in the shop for repair. Updated 02-25-08 *bf the o-rings and fuel rails were replaced. Updated.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2008
“Still in need of repair, needs rack & pinion bushings, right outer tie rod end, already had inner tie rod replaced. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2008
“1. Backing up from a parking place 2. Lower control arm bracket ripped away from the engine cradle and cause the cv joint to come apart and break. 3. Replaced engine cradle, cv joint,front end alignment. I have pictures and old engine cradle. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chrysler lhs. The contact stated that the o rings are leaking. The vehicle is being repaired under recall # 98v184000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The dealer stated that the o rings are not a part of the recall and will not be replaced for free. The purchase date and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 130,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated while the heater was on, there was an odor of fuel. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, where it was determined the fuel rail cracked on the passenger side. There was a recall for the fuel injection system, #98v184000, performed on the vehicle in february 1999. The dealership determined the crack was not in the same location specified as the recall.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
How other years compare
Check your exact LHS 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 LHS reliable?
NHTSA has 135 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Chrysler LHS. The most complained-about area is steering (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler LHS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Chrysler LHS have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. 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.