Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dt: the consumer's wife was pulling up to a stop sign and the vehicle plunged forward and it crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle has not been to the dealership for inspection. T the consumer does plan to have vehicle fixed. A police report was taken.
Dt: the contact stated took vehicle to a service dealer because the vehicle has difficulty starting. When the key was turned over, the vehicle would not start, almost causing the battery to die. When the vehicle finally did start it had a rough idle, but continued to run. This only happened during the morning when the contact first started the vehicle. The contact was afraid to drive the vehicle out of town because it May not start back up. The consumer rented a vehicle any time he needed to go out of town. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer on two occasions. The service dealer replaced the throttle position sensor, but this did not remedy the problem. The service dealer could not duplicate the problem, but did say the next time this happened to contact them and they will come out and look at the vehicle.
Consumer was parked at gate of storage lot. She was inside of vehicle punching in numbers to gain access, and the gates began to open. Then, without prior warning engine roared up and vehicle took off, like a jet. Vehicle smashed into the gate, and consumer was thrown between two steel posts. Then, car went into another brick wall of storage. Then, it almost went into another storage room and stopped due to tires were flat to the rims. Dealership was aware of problem. Consumer was injured in accident.
While placing vehicle in drive and without a warning, the vehicle accelerated fast, resulting in driver losing control. Consumer did not know if she had placed her foot on the brake or the accelerator (it happened so fast), as she was trying to pull out of the parking space the vehicle had just taken off, the consumer was trying not to run on the side walk but had done it anyway and found a way to get back onto the pavement, and totalled the vehicle. Signed doris smallwood. (reported to dealer)
On 2/16/99, I was in the drive through lane at a bank to make a deposit. There were approximately 8 vehicles in front of me. As each vehicle advanced to the window, I took my car out of park, put it into drive, and advanced the little you do when you are sitting in line. I did this approximately 5 or 6 times while waiting to get to the window. As the pick up truck in front of me advanced to the window, I took my car out of park which you can not do without putting foot on the brake. Suddenly, the car leaped forward at a high accelerated speed. My foot was on the brakes as the vehicle crashed into the bank. Both airbags went off. When they got me out of the car, the girl in the vehicle right behind me said that that was the wierdest thing she had ever seen. She said that my brake lights were on, but the back end of the car was up and the wheels were spinning rapidly. …
Consumer believes recall 99v-244 concerning the right rear brake tube May have caused accident in which consumer experienced loss of braking ability and loss of control resulting in hitting the stairs in front of house and hitting neighbors home, consumer suffered minor cuts to hand and a lump on forehead. Nlm
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 treads no longer exist. Car was totaled and home/garage damage was over $12,000. Thank god! No one was injured or killed! My family and I will never own another Chrysler again!
When she started vehicle and took it out of park, vehicle suddenly accelerated out of driveway towards a traffic filled road. Consumer stated that she directed vehicle away from road which caused tie rod to break, stopping vehicle. Dealership states they could not determine reason for sudden acceleration. Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration on a second occasion when consumer was in a line at a car wash, consumer started vehicle to go into car wash and it shot out of control, consumer turned off key while exiting car wash, however vehicle kept going and was literally airborne, going over a curb, vehicle was finally stopped by hitting a light pole, consumer was injured in accident.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chrysler Cirrus years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (35), 1996 (14), 1997 (7), 1998 (7) and 1999 (5) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chrysler Cirrus acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Chrysler Cirrus model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chrysler Cirrus acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (8 mentions), followed by the linkages (6).
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.