CHRYSLER CIRRUS · model year

1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS

203 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996CHRYSLERCIRRUS carries 203 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 5 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 CIRRUS is engine and engine cooling:engine with 20 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (13) and power train:automatic transmission (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 88 investigation files overlapping the 1996 CIRRUS, and 7 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

203
Complaints
12
Crashes
5
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

203 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE20
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT7
SUSPENSION6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH6
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER5
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4

Recent Complaints

20170109ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 107,000

20170109ENGINE

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

Mileage: 107,000

20170109SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 107,000

20160122CrashPOWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 87,500

20120319FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 49,063

20111206SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 118,000

20100915CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 42 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXCESSIVELY LOOSE. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A ELECTRIC POLE, YET THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE THEN CRASHED INTO A SECOND POLE, JUMPED A CREEK AND CRASHED INTO A TREE AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AS SHE PLUNGED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, CHEST AND A MINOR CONCUSSION. SHE ALSO SUFFERED SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V201000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A LOSS OF

Mileage: 180,000

20100915CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 42 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXCESSIVELY LOOSE. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A ELECTRIC POLE, YET THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE THEN CRASHED INTO A SECOND POLE, JUMPED A CREEK AND CRASHED INTO A TREE AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AS SHE PLUNGED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, CHEST AND A MINOR CONCUSSION. SHE ALSO SUFFERED SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V201000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A LOSS OF

Mileage: 180,000

20100915CrashSEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 42 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXCESSIVELY LOOSE. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A ELECTRIC POLE, YET THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE THEN CRASHED INTO A SECOND POLE, JUMPED A CREEK AND CRASHED INTO A TREE AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AS SHE PLUNGED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, CHEST AND A MINOR CONCUSSION. SHE ALSO SUFFERED SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V201000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A LOSS OF

Mileage: 180,000

20091020SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE RESIDENCE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E056000 (SUSPENSION; FRONT CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND HAS BEEN NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20090216SUSPENSION:FRONT

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

Mileage: 136,000

20080827POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 127,505

20080827FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 127,505

20080827ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 127,505

20080827POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

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

Mileage: 127,505

20080827LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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

Mileage: 127,505

20080827EQUIPMENT

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

Mileage: 127,505

20080725SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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

Mileage: 80,000

20080628ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL IN MY RADIATOR. SLUDGE INSIDE OF MY ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20080111ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 DAIMLER CHRYSLER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THEY STATED THAT THEY DO NOT OWN THEIR DEALERSHIPS AND IT WOULD BE THE DEALER'S DECISION TO MAKE THE REPAIR OR ISSUE A RECALL. DAIMLER CHRYSLER FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WOULD TRY AND SEND A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, NO ONE HAS YET TO ARRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, STOPPED, OR MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,784 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,261.

Mileage: 49,784

Compare 1996CHRYSLERCIRRUS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 7 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS have?
The 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS has 203 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 5 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS?
The most-complained component for the 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.