VehicleVerdict

1997 Chrysler Cirrus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1997 Chrysler Cirrus sits mid-pack among Cirrus years: 93 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 91, with 8 recalls and 4 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (12), engine (11), and transmission (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

93

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

4

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Cirrus years?

Cirrus NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted625 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 625 complaints1996: 203 complaints1997: 93 complaints1998: 90 complaints1999: 83 complaints2000: 127 complaints2001: 1 complaints
Cirrus NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cirrus years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Chrysler Cirrus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1213%
Engine1112%
Transmission1112%
Speed Control89%
Electrical System89%
Suspension78%
Visibility & Wipers66%
Tires & Wheels66%
Steering66%
Airbags55%
Fuel System44%
Latches & Locks33%
Body & Structure22%
Other22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%

Does the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E059000SuspensionDecember 27, 2010 · 22,689 units

Defect

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence

IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

09E056000SuspensionOctober 9, 2009 · 5,787 units

Defect

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

06E091000Fuel SystemNovember 2, 2006 · 24,358 units

Defect

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.

Consequence

FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.

06E088000Fuel SystemOctober 23, 2006 · 39,243 units

Defect

CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.

Consequence

FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.

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.

97V201000SuspensionNovember 13, 1997 · 599,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

97V095000Body & StructureJune 6, 1997 · 219,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, FLAMES WERE BURSTING FROM REAR LEFT SPEAKER. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE. FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE DETERMINED THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY WIRING OF REAR BRAKES GETTING HOT. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 5000.00, NO INJURIES.*AK CONSUMER ADDS CHYRSLER HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 30, 2001 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 15, 2007 · crash

CONSUMER WAS AWAKENED BY CAR ALARM AT APPROX 3:00 AM. NOTICED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE; FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD ,THROUGH WINDSHIELD, THAT COMPLETLY MELTED DOWN, ENGINE COMPLETELY BURNT, AND ONE TIRE BLEW. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO UNATTACH HOOD TO STOP FIRE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 12, 1997 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 18, 2008 · crash

CONSUMER WAS AWAKENED BY CAR ALARM AT APPROX 3:00 AM. NOTICED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE; FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD ,THROUGH WINDSHIELD, THAT COMPLETLY MELTED DOWN, ENGINE COMPLETELY BURNT, AND ONE TIRE BLEW. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO UNATTACH HOOD TO STOP FIRE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 12, 1997 · fire

1997 Chrysler Cirrus — common questions

Is the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus reliable?

It is close to typical for the Cirrus: 93 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1997 Cirrus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (12 complaints), engine (11 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chrysler Cirrus years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cirrus years to avoid are 1995, 1996. The cleanest record among Cirrus years belongs to 2001.

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.