1996 Chrysler CIRRUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
81 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
90,980 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 81 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 21.0% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 9.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 8.6% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 8 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 8; Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch: 4; Suspension: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 59 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 17; 2000: 20; 2001: 7; 2002: 13; 2003: 3; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10032324 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THERE WAS A EXPLOSION DUE TO THE TRANS AXLE LOOSENING AND BUSTING THE TRANSMISSION CASE. *AK THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED. *PH *JB *JB *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 89,455 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059998 · 2004-02-28 (February 28, 2004)
LOSS OF ABS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL LEVELS OF BRAKING, I.E. HEAVY, MEDIUM AND MINIMAL BRAKING. WHEN LOSS OF ABS HAPPENS, THE PEDAL DECENDS TO THE FLOOR AND A BUZZ/RACHETING NOISE IS HEARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS LEAD TO POTENTIALLY 4 MAJOR ACCIDENTS. TO SOLVE THE LOSS OF BRAKING, DRIVER HAS TO "RE-PUMP" THE PEDAL AFTER LOSS HAS OCCURED. (NO MIL/SCAN TOOL CODE RECORDED) . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355793 · 2010-09-15 (September 15, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 42 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXCESSIVELY LOOSE. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A ELECTRIC POLE, YET THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE THEN CRASHED INTO A SECOND POLE, JUMPED A CREEK AND CRASHED INTO A TREE AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AS SHE PLUNGED INTO THE STEERING WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 563114 · 2001-09-18 (September 18, 2001)
THE DIFFERENTIAL PIN BROKE OFF AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 563114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073837 · 2004-05-18 (May 18, 2004)
WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STALLED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER A FEW TRIES THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. AFTER DRIVING A FEW FEET THE VEHICLE STALLED ONCE AGAIN. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN IT RAINED. WHEN THE WIPERS WERE ON INTERMITTENT THEY WOULD MOVE VERY FAST FOR THAT SPEED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001521 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE, DEALER NOTIFIED SAID WIRING NEAR CONTROLS WAS THE CAUSE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051572 · 2004-01-03 (January 3, 2004)
I BOUGT A CAR ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO USED AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR ALREADY. FROM THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON TO THE BATTERY LIGHT. THE 3RD DAY I HAD THE CAR IT DHAD TO GO IN THE SHOP. I FEEL THE PROBLEM IT HAD IT WAS THEIR WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I DID NOT HAVE THEW CAR LONG ENOUGH FOR IT TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS A 96 CHRSYLER CIRRUS . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174803 · 2006-11-30 (November 30, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE THREE RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH WERE NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY. THE FUEL PUMP RECALL #06E091000, HOOD ATTACHMENTS #97V095000, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH #98V183000 WERE THE 3 RECALLS. ALL 3 RECALLS WERE COMPLETED BUT THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT CORRECTED, AND THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT WILLING TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES FURTHER UNDER THE RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174803 at NHTSA ↗