VehicleVerdict

1996 Chrysler Cirrus transmission problems

The 1996 Chrysler Cirrus has 24 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

24

Transmission complaints

12%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Cirrus transmission complaints by model year71 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 71 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 11 complaints1998: 11 complaints1999: 13 complaints2000: 2 complaints
Cirrus transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

04V021000TransmissionJanuary 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V183000TransmissionAugust 6, 1998 · 685,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

What owners report

PARKED VEHICLE. GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE WHEN IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. DRIVER KNOCKED DOWN BY DOOR. VEHICLE HIT TREE IN WOODS AFTER OWNER GOT LOOSE. EMERGENCY BRAKES NOT ON AT TIME. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 24, 1998 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus have?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus transmission — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus transmission?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the transmission: 04V021000, 98V183000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.