Total Complaints
185 filings
CHRYSLER LHS · model year
1996 CHRYSLER LHS
185 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996CHRYSLERLHS carries 185 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 9 fires, 19 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 LHS is steering:linkages:tie rod assembly with 15 filings, followed by steering:rack and pinion (14) and steering (13). 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 LHS, 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.
185
Complaints
17
Crashes
9
Fires
19
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
17 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 15 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 14 |
| STEERING | 13 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 12 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 9 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 7 |
| SUSPENSION | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 5 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 4 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES | 4 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK | 4 |
Recent Complaints
20181005FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL RAIL WHICH WAS REPAIRED IN 1999 BY PREVIOUS OWNER. ITS BLOWING FUEL ONTO THE MOTOR AGAIN. THE SAME ISSUE . IT HAS 130K MILES ON IT. WHEN OUR MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT WE SAW IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE PARTS PLACES WE CALLED SAID THEY DO NOT SELL THE THE RECALL KITS TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. CALLED DEALERSHIP SPOKE WITH MANAGER. THEY SAID THE RECALL KITS ARE IN DETROIT AND SINCE THE RECALL. L HS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE IT CANT BE REPAIRED AGAIN. WE CALLED MANUFACTURER. THEY SAID TO GO TO A SCRAP YARD TO GET PART OR CALL BACK DEALERSHIP AND ADVISE THEM TO ORDER THE KIT AND RE DO IT AND THERES ALSO ANOTHER RECALL ON IT CURRENTLY AMD FORBTHE DEALERSHIP TO HONOR THAT RECALL ALSO. WE CALLED BACK DEALERSHIP AND ARE CURRENTLY WAITING ON A DECISION. THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO US TODAY. WE HAVENT HEARD BACK. THIS IS MY ONLY WORK VEHICLE. NOONE SELLS THE PART BECAUSE ITS A RECALL. IT BLOWING FUEL ALL OVER MOTOR AND IM WORRIED IT WILL CATCH FI
Mileage: 130,000
20170420STEERING
HAS LOOSE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL AND STARTED GO OFF OF THE ROAD FOR A MOMENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD..
Mileage: 137,000
20160721SUSPENSION
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.
Mileage: 84,000
20160721STRUCTURE
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.
Mileage: 84,000
20141213STEERING
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
Mileage: 111,000
20140808FireENGINE
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
Mileage: 190,000
20140808FireAIR BAGS
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
Mileage: 190,000
20140808FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Mileage: 190,000
20100307STEERING
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
Mileage: 120,000
20100307SUSPENSION:FRONT
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
Mileage: 120,000
20090527STEERING
FRONT END SHAKING AND POPPING REPLACED TIRERODS A LOWERCONTROL ARMS. *TR
20090527SUSPENSION
FRONT END SHAKING AND POPPING REPLACED TIRERODS A LOWERCONTROL ARMS. *TR
20090417SUSPENSION:FRONT
I BOUGHT A 96 LHS IN SEPT 2006 AND KNEW I NEEDED TO DO SOME FRONT END WORK. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WAS EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT END WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. TIE RODS, BALL JOINT, HUB BEARINGS, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, BOOTS (AXLES) TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. I CAN'T BEGIN TO REMEMBER ALL THE PARTS I HAVE REPLACED. NOW TODAY AFTER ANOTHER TRIP TO THE REPAIR SHOP I AM INFORMED THE RACK AND PINION IS SHOT. AFTER ALL THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE STILL RIDES LIKE A TRACTOR. THERE ARE WEBSITES FULL OF THE SAME STORIES ABOUT DODGE/CHRYSLER AND NOBODY CAN MAKE THESE PEOPLE CLEAN THIS MESS UP? AND WE KEEP GIVING THEM BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS. MY NEXT LETTER WILL BE TO MY SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVES TRYING TO STOP ANYMORE TAX DOLLARS GOING CHRYSLER'S WAY. *TR
20080507STEERING
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
Mileage: 116,000
20080125FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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.
Mileage: 96,300
20080117STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STILL IN NEED OF REPAIR, NEEDS RACK & PINION BUSHINGS, RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END, ALREADY HAD INNER TIE ROD REPLACED. *TR
20080117STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
STILL IN NEED OF REPAIR, NEEDS RACK & PINION BUSHINGS, RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END, ALREADY HAD INNER TIE ROD REPLACED. *TR
20080109STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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
Mileage: 217,526
20080109POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
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
Mileage: 217,526
20080109SUSPENSION
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
Mileage: 217,526
Compare 1996CHRYSLERLHS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 7 Open
RQ25005Recall QueryOpen
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures
PE25009Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
RQ25002Recall QueryClosed
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures
PE24018Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Engine Stall With Intermittent Restart
RQ24004Recall QueryOpen
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1996 CHRYSLER LHS have?▼
The 1996 CHRYSLER LHS has 185 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 9 fires, 19 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 CHRYSLER LHS?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 CHRYSLER LHS is STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:RACK AND PINION and STEERING.
Is the 1996 CHRYSLER LHS 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.