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1997 Chrysler CirrusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 69 owner complaints about the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

59
CarFlaw IndexSolid year30% below the Cirrus median · #4 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints6920 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage78kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 18, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus has problems

69 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 cooling114
Service brakes, hydraulic112
Power train101
Electrical system83
Vehicle speed control74
Visibility61
Suspension61
Steering61
Air bags54
7 other systems172

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

4 recalls

1997 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 →

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

1997 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

1997 Chrysler Cirrus safety ratings

1997 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 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
  3. STEERING SHAFT BINDINGEA99028 · closed Jul 26, 2001
    Led to recall 01I012000
  4. STEERING SHAFT BINDINGPE99030 · closed Sep 10, 1999
    No recall
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 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE LIGHT ON THE ODOMETER GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE ENTIRE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL FAILED. THE HORN ALSO BEGAN BLOWING WITHOUT APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY…
Complaint 10289254 · Oct 21, 2009 · 99,877 miles
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
Complaint 10167471 · Sep 6, 2006 · 70,560 miles
UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS FOR THE TRANS AXLE, THE CONSUMER STARTED TO EXPERIENCE OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS DROPPING GEARS, AND CUTTING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT…
Complaint 10115456 · Jun 2, 2005 · 58,500 miles

Own a 1997 Cirrus?

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