1997 Chrysler Cirrus Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Cirrus years
- About as many complaints as other years 4th of 7 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus. That ranks 4th out of 7 Cirrus model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (11 complaints, 16%), typically at around 78,280 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 69owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Chrysler Cirrus problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 16% | 78,280 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 | 16% | 94,800 | — | — |
| Power Train | 10 | 14% | 50,710 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 12% | 113,439 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 10% | 98,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 9% | 107,675 | — | — |
| Visibility | 6 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 5 | 7% | 107,675 | — | — |
| Tires | 5 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 4% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 3% | 42,920 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 3% | 130,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Chrysler Cirrus recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Problem: 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.
Risk: Either circumstance may result in the vehicle rolling away without warning.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button. A combination of applying a mis-adjusted release button with a low force attempt to shift out of park with the key in the locked position, can break the connecting pin in the shifter.
Risk: If this happens, the "ignition-park" interlock system will be nonfunctional.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Risk: Separation of the ball joint could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage. If the cover seal leaks or the boot is damaged, the lower control arm will be replaced.
Structure:body:hood:hinge and attachments
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
Risk: If this condition occurs simultaneously without engaging the primary latch, the hood would not be restrained increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Auto trans ignition-park interlock (EA03011) — opened Jul 17, 2003, closed Jan 30, 2004, led to recall 04V021000.
- Steering shaft binding (EA99028) — opened Sep 10, 1999, closed Jul 26, 2001, led to recall 01I012000.
- Steering shaft binding (PE99030) — opened May 3, 1999, closed Sep 10, 1999.
- Lower control arm ball joint failure (EA97016) — opened Sep 29, 1997, closed Nov 20, 1997, led to recall 97V201000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
At first i heard a squeaking noise that gradually turned into a grinding noise. After having my brake pads replaced and front driver side caliper replaced, the grinding noise turned into a metal on metal grind with a peculiar metal smell which resulted in something ceasing up (only way to describe…
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chrysler cirrus. The contact stated that while making a right turn, the rear passenger door swung open abnormally. The contact had to screw in the bolt that held the latch into place. The contact was concerned with the possibility of someone falling from the vehicle. The…
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chrysler cirrus. The light on the odometer gauge on the instrument control panel stopped working. Shortly afterwards, the entire lighting on the instrument control panel failed. The horn also began blowing without application. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they…
My car is a recall an like to know were can i take it to get fixed. *tr
Owned a 1997 chrysler cirrus. Put car in reverse to back out of driveway when car accelerated to an incredible speed within seconds. Car shot out of driveway, across street into neighbors home and garage. Car has indication of continued acceleration after impact with right front tire showing the…
Other Chrysler Cirrus years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Cirrus | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 Cirrus | 99 | 5 |
| 1999 Cirrus | 62 | 3 |
| 1998 Cirrus | 69 | 3 |
| 1997 | 69 | 4 |
| 1996 Cirrus | 160 | 7 |
| 1995 Cirrus | 369 | 7 |
See all Chrysler Cirrus problems by year, every Chrysler model, or the Chrysler VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 11 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Cirrus model years, the 1997 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.