Most common 1996 Chrysler Cirrus problems
Share of the 160 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chrysler Cirrus complaints by model year
Best Cirrus years: 1998, 1999, 1997. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1996 Chrysler Cirrus recalls (7)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
Remedy: 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
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Remedy: 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.
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Corrosion of the ABS hydraulic control unit can cause the solenoid valves to stick in the open position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a plate and silicone grease injected into the solenoid cavity to eliminate the potential for this condition.
Show 1 more recall
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Remedy: Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus:
Lower control arm ball joint failure
By letter dated November 6, 1997, the manufacturer advised this agency of its decision to initiate a safety recall campaign of the subject vehicles to correct the defect identified in this ea.the recall will also cover 1996 and 1997 Chrysler cirrus/Dodge stratus vehicles, as well as 1995 through 1997 Chrysler sebring convertible and Plymouth breeze vehicles equipped with identical lower control arm ball joints.an…
Auto trans ignition-park interlock
The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler?s (dc) analysis of model year (my) 1998 (population = 356,384) and 1999 (population = 486,948) ja, jx and lh family subject vehicle data (earlier mys excluded).the population number includes all mys.the precise number of duplicates between odi and dc reports cannot be determined due to missing or incomplete information.the fatality incident involved an…
What 1996 Chrysler Cirrus owners say
Engine & cooling all 39 →
My front tires feel like they are going to break off the vehicle due to the lower ball joints,steering control arm, inner and outer tie rods; accelerates all by itself. Will not lock shifter with key out of ignition. ECM is faulty because it shuts the lights off,turns engine,all lights, off . Unpredictably! Seat belts do not engage when stopping. If I were to be critically injured because of malfunctioning of said vehicle? Who would take responsibility of my safety and well being? This all happens while operation of vehicle. Traveling on the freeway at 55 MPH. ABS malfunctions as well even when driving 15 MPH.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chrysler Cirrus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was smoke seen from the engine compartment. The contact also noticed that there was oil leaking onto the ground. The fire was extinguished using a fire extinguisher. The dealer was contacted and they advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 96V006000 (engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline). The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 49,063.
Brakes all 24 →
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. I contacted Chrysler and was advised that my vehicle was not on the recall list as other 1996 2.5 liter Chrysler Cirrus(s) were for their ABS master cylinder piston (recall#686) and master cylinder primary piston(recall#687). At 75,000 miles I was exiting off of interstate I-95 onto I-395 when I attempted to brake for a traffic signal(red light) the ABS light which normally stayed lit constantly began to flicker/blink . While my foot was pushing the brake pedal the pedal began to pulsate and pushed up. …
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) .
Transmission & drivetrain all 22 →
My 1996 Cirrus with only 87+++ miles suddenly downshifts while driving over 40 MPH. This is a recent purchase. I live in wyoming and it is winter time with icy road conditions nearly everywhere. I am a single mother with a 10 year old daughter. When this happened to us on the highway, it caused us to spin off of the road. Luckily we were unhurt. This automobile is unsafe!!! 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.
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.
1996 Chrysler Cirrus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus a good car?
Based on 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Cirrus rates avoid: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cirrus at the same age. It is one of the Cirrus years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus?
The engine & cooling — 39 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (24) and transmission & drivetrain (22).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus have?
There are 7 recalls for the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus, the most recent from January 13, 2004 (floor shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chrysler Cirrus?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998, 1999 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1996. See the full Chrysler Cirrus years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler Cirrus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 92,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.