AI Damage1998 Chrysler Cirrus: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus filed 69 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 69
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (16% of all).
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (12% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 7 complaints (10% of all), 2 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 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 69 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
While driving 20 mph or less vehicle went over a curb which caused a passenger's tire blow out. Also, driver's and passenger's airbags deployed, and the occupant sustained serious injuries. Dealer stated that tire blowout caused the airbag deployment. Please provide further information.
As each vehicle advanced to the window, I took my car out of park, put it into drive, and advanced the little you do when you are sitting in line. I did this approximately 5 or 6 times while waiting to get to the window.
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.
The misfires and stalls while I'm driving. It doesn't matter if it's warmed up and if it's cold. Stalls and misfires while driving on freeway and just stops when it wants too
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler cirrus. While driving 25 mph, the lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
On dec 29th 2015 I went to bell tires roseville michigan to have a punctured tire repaired they were really busy so I left my tire there with my spare on next day at 8am on dec 30th 2015 they said they patched my tire but they had no time to put the tire on so went to discount tire roseville michigan they notice the…
Within the 1st week of buying it I noticed the check engine light would come on and act like it would stall, or would actually stall all together once coming to a complete stop. The scariest is when you are driving on a highway & the car looses all power!
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.
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 4,461 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cirrus has 93 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 69, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- 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.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 69. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (9%), rust, corrosion (6%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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.