VehicleVerdict

1998 Chrysler Cirrus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1998 Chrysler Cirrus is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 7 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 90 owner complaints run below the Cirrus median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (14), electrical system (13), and transmission (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

90

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

3

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Cirrus years?

Cirrus NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted625 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 625 complaints1996: 203 complaints1997: 93 complaints1998: 90 complaints1999: 83 complaints2000: 127 complaints2001: 1 complaints
Cirrus NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cirrus years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chrysler Cirrus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1416%
Electrical System1314%
Transmission1112%
Brakes1011%
Speed Control78%
Tires & Wheels67%
Suspension56%
Body & Structure44%
Fuel System44%
Airbags44%
Seat Belts33%
Steering33%
Lighting22%
Seats11%
Other11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus have recalls?

7 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.

09E043000OtherJuly 7, 2009 · 30,351 units

Defect

IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.

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.

99V244000BrakesSeptember 15, 1999 · 366,508 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.

Consequence

DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

MY CAR WILL STALL OUT IN LOW OR IDOL. IT WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. WHILE DRIVING AND SWITCHING GEARS IT WILL SOUND LIKE ITS MISSING. I TOOK IT TO GET IT SMOG. THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR WAS RESETTING EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS DOING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 25, 2012

MY 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS WITH ONLY 75000 MILES ON IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 5+ HOURS, NOT RUNNING (KEYS INSIDE MY HOME) AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DEEMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE DRIVERS DOOR PANEL, POSSIBLE THE ELECTRIC MIRROR LOCATION SWITCH. NO ACCIDENTS WITH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 18, 2010 · fire

CHRYSLER CIRRUS 1998 LX CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 50MPH. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON HIGHWAY BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OFF ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT. DAUGHTER 18 YEARS OLD AND VERY SCARED OVER SITUATION. CRANKSHAFT SHIFTER SENSOR REPLACED. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 15, 2009

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS LOCKING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN FULL SPEED W/O THE BRAKES BEING PRESSED. SENSOR IS AUTOMATICALLY RELEASING THE ABS BRAKES WITHOUT ADVANCE WARNING. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME FOR THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 2000

THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE ENGINE ROARED UP AND THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, AND ROLLED BACKWARDS AND HIT A TREE. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 9, 1998 · crash

1998 Chrysler Cirrus — common questions

Is the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus reliable?

It is close to typical for the Cirrus: 90 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 Cirrus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (14 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.