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1996 Chrysler CirrusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 160 owner complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

43
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the Cirrus median · #2 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints16023 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage70kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 9, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus has problems

160 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling383
Power train222
Service brakes, hydraulic221
Electrical system182
Suspension181
Vehicle speed control143
Steering131
Equipment90
Structure74
12 other systems277

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

1996 Chrysler Cirrus recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: floor shift

Recall 04V-021 · Jan 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 vehicles

Risk. EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Recall 98V-183 · Aug 6, 1998 · 685,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 97V-201 · Nov 13, 1997 · 599,000 vehicles

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hood: hinge and attachments

Recall 97V-095 · Jun 6, 1997 · 219,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Foundation components: master cylinder

Recall 96V-075 · May 3, 1996 · 151,800 vehicles

Risk. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 96V-074 · May 2, 1996 · 90,000 vehicles

Risk. IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine: gasoline

Recall 96V-006 · Jan 11, 1996 · 40,000 vehicles

Risk. INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chrysler.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Cirrus year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cirrus median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Chrysler Cirrus safety ratings

1996 Chrysler Cirrus 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKEA03011 · closed Jan 30, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-021
  2. LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILUREEA97016 · closed Nov 20, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-201
In owners' words

What Cirrus owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10452239 · Mar 19, 2012 · 49,063 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME FOR A TOTAL COST OF $2,283.04. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH…
Complaint 10214499 · Jan 11, 2008 · 49,784 miles
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…
Complaint 10125838 · Jun 10, 2005

Own a 1996 Cirrus?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.