Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On May 31, 2017, I drove my 2000 Chrysler Cirrus car approx 2 miles to a store and parked in the store lot and then as I went to shut my car off, I saw alot of smoke coming from under my car hood so I shut car off and got out of my car and then lifted my hood and saw that my engine was in engulfed in flames so I immediately shut the hood and started to run away from my car. By then someone who saw all the smoke had called police to the scene and fire trucks came soon after the police arrived and fireman put the fire out. My car had to be towed to dom balducci's car care and was left there for an insurance adjuster to come and inspect the car which he did and after the inspection he claimed my car the 2000 Chrysler Cirrus as a total loss.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chrysler Cirrus. While driving 10 MPH, the power steering failed. The contact pulled over, raised the hood, and a fire ignited. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and a repair was performed. When the contact arrived to pick up his vehicle, the mechanic stated that the high pressure power steering hose had prematurely heated and developed a leak. The failure resulted in an underhood fire. Days after the vehicle was repaired, the contact received a recall letter. Chrysler stated that they would reimburse him for the repairs. Weeks later, Chrysler refused to provide reimbursement. The same day he picked up the vehicle from the dealer, it caught fire again after being driven approximately 20 miles. Chrysler advised him to leave the vehicle and that they would tow it and take care of the situation. It has currently been six weeks and nothing has been done. …
About 2 years ago, my car began stuttering and stalling out with no warning. The oil light repeated flashes on, the check engine light flashes and then stays on, and the car wont start or just cuts off. The transmission speed sensor was replaced. The transmission was replaced. The oil was changed. This past 3 months alone, it has been at the service department 6 times for this same problem. I am now being told that I need a tune-up, which will cost $700, then the EGR needs replaced, and a few other things. However, when the mechanic had it last week, he could not find anything wrong with it. I have found out that the Cirrus vehicles have this same problems that I am having. I was on my way to the mall via the parkway when the car stalled out. Luckily traffic was slow because if I was on the parkway and it stalled out, my sister and I could have gotten killed. …
The distributor has gone out twice (2x) on my 1999 Chrysler Cirrus. The first time was in 2007 while I was sitting in a car wash. I thought perhaps some water had splashed in and shorted something out. So I didn't report it. But the second time was on Friday, May 29th. We were driving on the I-210 freeway in the carpool lane - near azusa, ca. Suddenly the car lost all power and I had to pull across 5 lanes of traffic in order to safely get off the freeway. It was very scary and very dangerous. If I had not been able to pull over, the car would just have stopped dead on a busy freeway on the Friday afternoon of the memorial day weekend. I asked the mechanic at clippinger Chrysler in covina where we had the car towed if the distributor went out often on their cars. …
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. …
Tl 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 replaced the steering column along with the horn switch. Two weeks after the repair the fuse failed when using the horn. The dealer replaced the ignition switch, but upon further inspection she noticed that the crank shaft position sensor had melted. The contact stated that the failure was electrical since none of the repairs have remedied the failure, and the vehicle continued to stall without prior warnings. The failure mileage was under 45,000 . The current was 99,877.
Upon taking the vehicle in for recall repairs for the trans axle, the consumer started to experience other problems, such as dropping gears, and cutting off intermittently. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer four times, and the dealer replaced the computer. However, the problem had not been rectified as of yet. As of April 5, 2005, the vehicle still exhibited the same problem. Recall campaign# 98V183000 & 04V021000. The idle was re-adjusted.
Related recalls (1)
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 investigations
Engine compartment fires
On June 29, 2005, odi opened preliminary evaluation pe05-036 to investigate complaints of engine compartment fires in model year (my) 1999-2000 Chrysler cirrus, Dodge stratus and Plymouth breeze passenger cars (ja cars). The ja cars were introduced in my 1995 and ended with my 2000.they were produced with 2.0l, 2.4l and 2.5l engines.the incident data in the failure report summary of this resume are for subject…
Power steering fluid fires
Odi has received 29 reports of engine compartment fires that appear to be related to power steering hose leakage in model year (my) 1999 and 2000 Chrysler cirrus, Dodge stratus and Plymouth breeze vehicles (ja-cars) equipped with 2.4l engines.these reports indicate that the fire resulted from a power steering hose leak or that it occurred after an extended drive and shortly after being parked - conditions consistent…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chrysler Cirrus years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (42), 1996 (39), 1998 (14), 1997 (11) and 2000 (10) model years. Engine complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chrysler Cirrus engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 96V-006 (gasoline, Jan 11, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chrysler Cirrus engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles; 19% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (41 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (40).
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.