VehicleVerdict

1997 Chrysler LHS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 105 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median LHS year — the 1997 model ranks #6 of 12 LHS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 29 reports (28% of the total).

105

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other LHS years?

LHS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LHS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Chrysler LHS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2928%
Brakes1312%
Engine1312%
Steering1110%
Transmission88%
Electrical System66%
Visibility & Wipers66%
Seat Belts44%
Suspension33%
Lighting33%
Latches & Locks22%
Body & Structure22%
Airbags22%
Speed Control11%
Other11%
Seats11%

Does the 1997 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.

“HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V184000 & NOTIFIED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD "O" RINGS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. PICKED UP VEHICLE & IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH. TOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER WHEN OTHER DRIVERS STARTED FLAGGING OWNER DOWN DUE TO VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE RECALL REMEDY HAD FAILED & VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 22, 1999 · fire

“THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MUFFLER.MUFFLER GETS SO HOT, THAT IT BURNS THE METAL UNDER THE CAR WHICH, IN TURN, BURNS THE RUBBER UNDER THE REAR SEATS. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOUCHED THE MUFFLER, IT BURNT HIS HAND. IN ADDITION, IT CAUSED THE REAR SEATS TO GET VERY WARM/HOT. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 17, 1998

“WE REPLACED THE WARPED ROTORS ON APRIL 10, 1998 AND HAVE SINCE HAD THEM TURNED TWICE. OF COURSE NONE OF THIS WAS UNDER WARANTY. WE WERE WONDERING IF THERE WERE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IF IT COULD BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR TO CAUSE THIS REPETITIVE PROBLEM. OTHER VEHICLES THAT WE HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 15, 1998

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 6, 2008

“WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND VEHICLE IN PARK, VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, CAUSING A COLLISION/INJURY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

1997 Chrysler LHS — common questions

Is the 1997 Chrysler LHS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 105 complaints put the 1997 model at #6 of 12 LHS years. It is one of the LHS years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 LHS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (29 complaints), engine (13 complaints), brakes (13 complaints).

Does the 1997 Chrysler LHS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Chrysler LHS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Chrysler LHS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.