Most common 1998 Chrysler Cirrus problems
Share of the 69 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 →
1998 Chrysler Cirrus recalls (3)
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right rear brake tube can contact the exhaust system clamp and wear a hole in it.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake tubes for visible evidence of contact with the exhaust system clamp. If the tube shows evidence of contact, it will be replaced.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus:
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
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 1998 Chrysler Cirrus owners say
Engine & cooling
Vehicle dies going down the highway sitting or idling runs for 30 minutes then dies, lots of complaints about Chrysler vehicles doing this, very unsafe, vehicle should never shut down by themselves, electrical problems.
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 syndrome. Something needs to be done about this car because I have four children and I do not like risking our lives, but it is my only mode of transportation. I cannot afford to make these costly repairs, especially when no one can tell me what is wrong. The brake pedal becomes hard to operate and if I go under 15 MPH, it will shut off. …
Transmission & drivetrain
Chrysler Cirrus 1998 lx car shut down while daughter was driving at 50mph. Very dangerous situation on highway but was able to get off road without getting hit. Daughter 18 years old and very scared over situation. Crankshaft shifter sensor replaced. Mechanic said it was a well known problem with this car. Internet research confirms this.
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. They also said that it was doing the same problem as the Chrysler Cirrus 1996 was doing.
Electrical system
Vehicle dies going down the highway sitting or idling runs for 30 minutes then dies, lots of complaints about Chrysler vehicles doing this, very unsafe, vehicle should never shut down by themselves, electrical problems.
Dt: on July 3 the consumer's vehicle caught fire. The insurance company hired an investigator and they found it started on the lock on the driver's side door. The police and fire department were both called. The vehicle had not been in use for four hours. The fire originated on the upper front of the left door trim panel adjacent to the dash. The fire originated at the location of the power mirror and lock switches on the upper front of the door trim panel. It is evident that the fire was caused by a malfunction that caused high resistance heating in one of the switches. The exact switch that caused the overheating could not be determined because of the fire damage. The following are incidents that occurred before the fire: the vehicle would take up to ten minutes before it would catch. The vehicle would lose power at times. …
1998 Chrysler Cirrus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus a good car?
Based on 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Cirrus rates average: 37% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cirrus at the same age. It is one of the best Cirrus years by this measure. 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 1998 Chrysler Cirrus?
The engine & cooling — 14 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (11) and electrical system (11).
How many recalls does the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 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 1998 Chrysler Cirrus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 89,000 miles; 10% 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.