1998 Chrysler CIRRUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 49 complaints (16.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 18.4% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
Electrical System: 8; Engine: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Power Train: 3; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 3; Suspension: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 28 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 8; 2001: 6; 2002: 5; 2004: 6; 2005: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2019: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 10262421 · 2009-03-19 (March 19, 2009)
I HAVE A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS WITH 84,730 MILES ON IT. THIS CAR KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I'VE BEEN TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER, THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSORS, NEW BATTERY- YOU NAME IT I'VE BEEN TOLD. NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS WELL AS MY OIL LIGHT AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE! THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE, WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/CHRYSLER/CIRRUS/R64403/COMMENTS/PAGE-5/, HAS A LIST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND THE SAME PROBLEM PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED- SUDDEN STOP SYNDRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10300241 · 2010-01-19 (January 19, 2010)
MY CAR HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS THEIR SEEMS TO BE QUIET SOME ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WHERE WOULD I TAKE IT IF IT HAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. BRAKE PROBLEMS SOME LEAKAGE SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I PURCHASED GAS IT RUNS OUT VERY FAST THE SUSPENSION IS ACTING UP IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10300241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103794 · 2004-12-14 (December 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236656 · 2008-08-01 (August 1, 2008)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS INTO DRIVING I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE CAR STOPS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 MECHANICS FOR THEM TO HOOK IT UP TO A COMPUTER WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE CAR STOPS WHEN I AM IDLE AND STALLS WHEN I AM DRIVING. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR ONCE WITHOUT IT STOPPING ON ME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT STALLS OUT. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED, NEW SPARK PLUGS, EVG VALVE, FUEL CLEANING, ASD RELAY, SENSORS, AND SO ON. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. THANKS *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 191,196 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259709 · 2009-02-23 (February 23, 2009)
CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO DOESN'T START ON SOME DAYS AND NOT OTHERS. YOU CAN BE GOING 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAR WILL STOP FOR NO REASON AND THEN START UP AGAIN AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE. I'VE HAD AN ENGINE CODE READING WITH NO CODES SHOWING. REPLACED BATTERY, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, PLUME GASKET, CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, ROTOR CAP AND BUTTON. I AM NOW GETTING A "NO BUS" READING WHEN IT WON'T START. IT'S GETTING A SPARK AND TRIES TO TURN OVER. I HAVE LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 126,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10644371 · 2014-10-13 (October 13, 2014)
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN FEB 2014 USED WITH A LITTLE UNDER 70,000 MILES. OVERALL THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH A FEW MINOR PAINT ISSUES. 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! I HAVE LEARNED IS IF I THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL THEN THE POWER WILL COME BACK UP & I DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP MOST OF THE TIMES. I HAVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566054 · 2002-06-11 (June 11, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, CONSUMER RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND PROCEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, HOWEVER IT ONLY DRIFTED BACKWARDS, A MECHANIC STATED THAT CHRYSLER USES PLASTIC SENSORS TO HOLD ON THE TRANSMISSION CASE, THESE SENSORS BECAME CRACKED DUE TO POOR QUALITY MATERIAL, WHICH RESULTED IN A TRANSMISSION LEAK, THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THEM WITH THE SAME PLASTIC SENSORS, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL OCCUR AGAIN. *SLC *DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10392154 · 2011-03-18 (March 18, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND ATTEMPT TO STALL BUT WOULD NOT STALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY AND SPORADICALLY AS THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10392154 at NHTSA ↗