CHRYSLER LHS · model year

1997 CHRYSLER LHS

105 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997CHRYSLERLHS carries 105 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire, 5 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 LHS is fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system with 9 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (6) and fuel system, gasoline (6). 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 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.

105
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

105 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS3
STEERING3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER2
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2

Recent Complaints

20190207FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I NOTICED A GAS SMELL WHILE DRIVING AND THOUGHT THAT SINCE I HAD RECENTLY PUT GAS INTO THE VEHICLE THAT THAT WAS WHAT I SMELLED. THE SMELL PERSISTED AND I HAD THE HOOD OPEN AND I NOTICED THAT GAS WAS GUSHING OUT OF THE FRONT MIDDLE PART OF THE ENGINE. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND IT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF SO I PARKED IT AND IT NOW SITS. I RELY ON MY CAR TO GET TO WORK. I WAS TOLD THAT A FIRE COULD START AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFEY AND OTHERS AROUND ME.

Mileage: 160,000

20130223ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY DASH LIGHT WENT BLACK. IT STOPPED WORKING. THEY DID NOT WORK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THEN A WEEK AGO THEY CAME BACK ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TONIGHT, AFTER A WEEK OF WORKING DASH LIGHTS, THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHAT IS GOING ON? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE. *TR

Mileage: 68,044

20111216FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

BAD FUEL LEAK DEVELOPED , AND WAS , AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS , REPAIRED BY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER ,- PLENUM , INJECTOR ETC. REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 127,200

20111216FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAR HAS HAD BAD FUEL LEAK NOW FOR A MONTH , IT IS AN INJECTOR THAT I AM CERTAIN WAS REPLACED BY THE LOCAL DEALER TWO YEARS AGO , BUT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED IT, THEY ARE CLAIMING THEY REPLACED A DIFFERENT INJECTOR TO THE LEAKING ONE ,AND THEREFORE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE LEAK . *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20111122FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V184000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) IN 1999 FOR AN ABNORMAL GASOLINE SMELL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR HAD RETURNED AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS EXTREMELY OVERPOWERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE O-RINGS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

Mileage: 143,000

20100807FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I CHECKED IT ON A COMPUTER AND IT SAID MISFIRE ON CYLINDER ONE. IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND A FAMILY FRIEND IS A SERVICE MANAGER FOR A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ON THE MAINLAND, I LIVE IN HAWAII. HE SAID THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT VERY LIKELY COULD BE RELATED TO RECALL # 98V184000. I TOOK IT INTO, CUTTER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP IN PEARL CITY HAWAII, IN HOPES THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS AND TO COME AND PICK UP MY CAR. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING, GRANTED WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH BUT IT WAS RUNNING NEVERTHELESS. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OFF OF THE LOT AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO MY HOUSE I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. I STILL HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN I DROVE THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I KNOW THAT IT MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF TRIPS TO RESET THE COMPUTER. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO

Mileage: 105,243

20100807FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I CHECKED IT ON A COMPUTER AND IT SAID MISFIRE ON CYLINDER ONE. IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND A FAMILY FRIEND IS A SERVICE MANAGER FOR A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ON THE MAINLAND, I LIVE IN HAWAII. HE SAID THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT VERY LIKELY COULD BE RELATED TO RECALL # 98V184000. I TOOK IT INTO, CUTTER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP IN PEARL CITY HAWAII, IN HOPES THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS AND TO COME AND PICK UP MY CAR. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING, GRANTED WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH BUT IT WAS RUNNING NEVERTHELESS. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OFF OF THE LOT AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO MY HOUSE I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. I STILL HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN I DROVE THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I KNOW THAT IT MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF TRIPS TO RESET THE COMPUTER. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO

Mileage: 105,243

20100503STEERING

MY 1997 CHRYSLER LHS COMPLETELY LOST ALL STEERING,THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER WITH NO RESISTANCE AT ALL AND THE WHEELS NEVER MOVED,LUCKILY IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT DRIVING MY GRANDKIDS. *TR

Mileage: 137,000

20090305SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS CLEANED. SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. SHE HAD TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL WEEKS LATER. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 104,000. UPDATED 3/30/09 *CNTHE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. UPDATED 03/31/09.*JB

Mileage: 97,000

20090305VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS CLEANED. SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. SHE HAD TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL WEEKS LATER. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 104,000. UPDATED 3/30/09 *CNTHE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. UPDATED 03/31/09.*JB

Mileage: 97,000

20081106STEERING

I JUST PURCHASED THE CURSED 97 CHRYSLER LHS . DRIVING IT HOME I NOTICED SLOPPY STEERING CONDITIONS. AND I HIT A POTHOLE AND MY CAR JERKED OVER TO THE NEXT LANE AND ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT HOME I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE TIE RODS AND OF COURSE THEY WERE LOOSE AT THE INNER TIE ROD. SO IM STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE CAR THAT I CANT DRIVE. THANKS ALOT YOU BILLIONAIRE FREAKS. *TR

Mileage: 174,000

20080703FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL PERTAINING TO THE GASOLINE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE FUEL INJECTION WAS LEAKING GAS. RECALL # 98V184000. UPDATED 07/31/08. *JB

Mileage: 130,000

20060216EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING CAN NOT BE REMOVED TO REPLACE A BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT BULB. THERE ARE TWO BOLTS THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED FOR EACH HEADLIGHT. ONE OF THE TWO BOLTS CAN NOT BE REMOVED AS THE NUT HOLDING THE BOLT ROTATES INSIDE THE PLASTIC HOUSING AND WILL NOT LET THE BOLT BE REMOVED. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND MEANS THAT TO MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A BURNED OUT BULB MUCH LONGER THAN NECESSARY UNTIL THEY CAN SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE THAT LONG TO REPLACE A BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT. *NM

Mileage: 99,000

20050223ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE SPEED, TEMPERATURE, AND FUEL LIGHT GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *JB

20050223ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS, MOST OF THE TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING ALL OF MY INSTRUMENT WILL DROP DOWN TO 0 AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE HEAT WILL COME ON FULL BLAST HOT NO MATTER WHAT SETTING I HAVE IT ON. AND THEN WHEN THE INSTRUMENT FINALY COME BACK UP TO THE SPEED THAT I AM GOING THE A/C COMES ON AS WELL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN RANDOLPH SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG,LONG TIME. *AK

20041213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

INSTRUMENT PANEL LOOSE GROUND CONNECTIONS CAUSE DRIVER INST PANEL TO GO ON OR OFF WHEN DRIVING THIS ALSO EFFECTS AIR BAG PANEL LIGHT. THIS IS CHRYSLER TSB. WHEN OCCURS YOU ARE BLIND TO GAS & ALL DISPLAYS, INCL MPH.VERY DANGERIOUS, SHOULD BE A RECALL.*AK

Mileage: 45,000

20041124STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

VEHICLE TENDS TO SWERVE MAKING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL DIFFICULT. REPAIR SHOP SAYS THE STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *NM

20041123STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

(1) EVENTS: NORMAL DRIVING. (2) LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ON 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. DUE TO LUCK THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY, ALTHOUGH FAILURE AT A DIFFERENT TIME WOULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. FAILURE IS NOT YET FULLY ANALYZED, BUT APPEARS TO BE DUE TO FAILURE OF EITHER INNER TIE ROD BUSHING OR INNER TIE ROD MOUNTING BOLT. STEERING CONTROL OF LEFT SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOST. I WILL PROVIDE UPDATE WHEN EXACT NATURE OF FAILURE IS AVAILABLE. FOR LEGAL REASONS I AM PROCEEDING CAREFULLY IN ANALYZING THIS FAILURE. COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER ANALYSIS IS COMPLETE. *JB

Mileage: 108,214

20041123STEERING:RACK AND PINION

(1) EVENTS: NORMAL DRIVING. (2) LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ON 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. DUE TO LUCK THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY, ALTHOUGH FAILURE AT A DIFFERENT TIME WOULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. FAILURE IS NOT YET FULLY ANALYZED, BUT APPEARS TO BE DUE TO FAILURE OF EITHER INNER TIE ROD BUSHING OR INNER TIE ROD MOUNTING BOLT. STEERING CONTROL OF LEFT SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOST. I WILL PROVIDE UPDATE WHEN EXACT NATURE OF FAILURE IS AVAILABLE. FOR LEGAL REASONS I AM PROCEEDING CAREFULLY IN ANALYZING THIS FAILURE. COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER ANALYSIS IS COMPLETE. *JB

Mileage: 108,214

20041109FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

WHEN MY FUEL GUAGE READS A HALF OF A TANK, I'LL RUN OUT OF GAS. *AK

Compare 1997CHRYSLERLHS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 7 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 CHRYSLER LHS have?
The 1997 CHRYSLER LHS has 105 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 CHRYSLER LHS?
The most-complained component for the 1997 CHRYSLER LHS is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 1997 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.