AI Damage1996 Chrysler Cirrus: common problems
Owners of the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus filed 160 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 160
- involving a crash
- 10
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 38 complaints (24% of all).
- Service brakes: 23 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 22 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 18 complaints (11% of all).
- Suspension: 18 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 160 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 22 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The limp mode appears to be activated due to faulty/low quality parts by chrysler. Why isn"t this recalled??? I have no choice but to drive this car. I will sue chrysler if we have another incident!!! This incident occured when we were driving straight at about 50 mph.
The air bags did not deploy. The seat belts did not restrain the driver as she plunged into the steering wheel. She then exited the vehicle through the driver side window. The driver sustained injuries to the neck, shoulder, chest and a minor concussion. She also suffered short-term memory loss as a result.
While driving about 25mph driver slid into a pole head-on, and driver's side airbag did not deploy. Dealer has not seen vehicle.
At 55,000 miles the abs light came on on my vehicle's instrupment panel.upon taking same to a certified mechanic I was advised that the abs motor was no longer working however the vehicle brakes them selves were in working order.
After putting the vehicle into reverse, the throttle stuck, vehicle lost control, slammed into a tree and into a ditch, resulting in injuries.
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.
After automobile was idling for about 2 -3 minutes consumer put automobile into drive and hit the gas pedal lightly then it took off-in a runaway episode, causing consumer to lose control and resulting in a crash.
Driver's side air bag: driving approximately 55mph, and someone cut vehicle off and bumped the side of vehicle. Tried to swerve to keep from hitting vehicle and hit a cement barricade. Air bag started to deploy, but exploded and shredded into pieces.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,503 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cirrus has 93 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 160, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, powertrain. Total complaints: 160. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (6%), smoke, burning smell, fire (4%), brake failure (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1996 Chrysler Cirrus from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1996 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.