VehicleVerdict

1996 Chrysler LHS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 185 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median LHS year — the 1996 model ranks #4 of 12 LHS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 58 reports (31% of the total).

185

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other LHS years?

LHS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted509 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 509 complaints1995: 252 complaints1996: 185 complaints1997: 105 complaints1998: 5 complaints1999: 218 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 31 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 2 complaints2004: 3 complaints
LHS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LHS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Chrysler LHS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering5831%
Fuel System2413%
Brakes179%
Engine148%
Suspension148%
Transmission126%
Body & Structure105%
Electrical System95%
Airbags95%
Speed Control42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Seat Belts21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Other11%
Lighting11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 1996 Chrysler LHS have recalls?

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

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.

98V184000Fuel SystemAugust 6, 1998 · 722,600 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED IN A PARKING GARAGE THE STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT TWO HALF-INCH BOLTS FOR THE INNER TIE ROD BROKE IN THE STEERING RACK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND INNER TIE ROD BUSHING. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 1, 2003

“WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 29, 2004 · fire

“AFTER REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY, FROM PARKED VEHICLE IT ROLLED FORWARD DOWN A HILL AND SMASHED ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED A CITY BLOCK.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER THE RECALL ON FLOOR SHIFTER WAS PERFORMED. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 21, 2004 · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 7, 2014 · fire

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 20, 2016

1996 Chrysler LHS — common questions

Is the 1996 Chrysler LHS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 185 complaints put the 1996 model at #4 of 12 LHS years. It is one of the LHS years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 LHS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (58 complaints), fuel system (24 complaints), brakes (17 complaints).

Does the 1996 Chrysler LHS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Chrysler LHS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 Chrysler LHS under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Chrysler LHS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LHS years to avoid are 1994, 1995, 1999, 1996, 2000, 1997. The cleanest record among LHS years belongs to 2003.

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.