Total Complaints
93 filings
CHRYSLER CIRRUS · model year
93 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997CHRYSLERCIRRUS carries 93 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 10 fires, 7 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 1997 CIRRUS is power train:automatic transmission with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (6) and vehicle speed control (5). 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 1997 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.
Total Complaints
93 filings
Crashes Reported
14 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 4 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 2 |
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.
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.
Mileage: 130,000
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 REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH THE HORN SWITCH. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR THE FUSE FAILED WHEN USING THE HORN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SHE NOTICED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL SINCE NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 45,000 . THE CURRENT WAS 99,877.
Mileage: 99,877
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 REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH THE HORN SWITCH. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR THE FUSE FAILED WHEN USING THE HORN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SHE NOTICED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL SINCE NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 45,000 . THE CURRENT WAS 99,877.
Mileage: 99,877
MY CAR IS A RECALL AN LIKE TO KNOW WERE CAN I TAKE IT TO GET FIXED. *TR
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
Mileage: 92,000
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
Mileage: 104,000
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
Mileage: 70,560
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
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.
Mileage: 105,000
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
Mileage: 94,800
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.
Mileage: 107,675
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.
Mileage: 107,675
C AR NOT BRAKING IN A TIMELY MANNER
CONTACT STATED: CONTACT HAS HAD TO PUT TWO BALL JOINTS ON THIS VEHICLE ,A LEFT BALL JOINT AND A RIGHT BALL JOINT. WHEN HE PARKED THE CAR HE HEARD A BANG. THE WHEELS WOULD BE ON AN ANGLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE.
CONTACT STATED: CONTACT HAS HAD TO PUT TWO BALL JOINTS ON THIS VEHICLE ,A LEFT BALL JOINT AND A RIGHT BALL JOINT. WHEN HE PARKED THE CAR HE HEARD A BANG. THE WHEELS WOULD BE ON AN ANGLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE.
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 BEEN RECTIFIED AS OF YET. *AK *BF *NM AS OF APRIL 5, 2005, THE VEHICLE STILL EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL CAMPAIGN# 98V183000 & 04V021000. *AK *TT THE IDLE WAS RE-ADJUSTED. *SC
Mileage: 58,500
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 BEEN RECTIFIED AS OF YET. *AK *BF *NM AS OF APRIL 5, 2005, THE VEHICLE STILL EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL CAMPAIGN# 98V183000 & 04V021000. *AK *TT THE IDLE WAS RE-ADJUSTED. *SC
Mileage: 58,500
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
Mileage: 127,000
THE VEHICLE TENDS TO HESITATE AND MOVE WHEN IT IS PUT INTO DRIVE PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TRAVELING WHILE ON THE ROAD. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY OWNER.
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures
Engine Stall With Intermittent Restart
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.