Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving to work on highway 302 when suddenly the speedometer needle moved to zero, the check engine light came on, then the transmission shifted to first gear locking the wheels almost causing a wreck, all of this happened within two to three seconds not much time to slow down. Dodge/Chrysler wouldn't cover the cost since I bought a program car as is no warranty, but before I purchased it, they did a bumper to bumper check and stated everything checked out, the very next day after I purchased the car, the rear power windows failed, a year later I had a flat and the compact spare they put in the trunk when I bought the car didn't match the bolt pattern, on 12/26/02 the pin in the differential of the transaxle came loose and destroyed the transmission and will cost $2,600.00 to replace. …
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. …
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.
Tl*- the contact parked her 1997 Chrysler Cirrus in the driveway, removed the keyes and approximately 30-45 seconds later the vehicle rolled out of the parking lot and crashed into the neighbors carport. The vehicle was parked on a flat surface, and emergency brake was not engaged. The road conditions were dry. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealership to be repaired due to a recall notice. The dealership advised the contact that they replaced the shifter plunger. The contact is still was having the same problem the vehicle. The current mileage was 10,4000 miles.
Experienced problems with transmission. The A/C evaporated coil needed to be replaced by the consumer after 42920 miles. The consumers vehicle started leaking oil. The consumer put the vehicle in reverse and proceeded to back out of the driveway. The consumer put the car in drive to drive away after backing and the vehicle continued to go in reverse. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic for service an was found that the pin in the differential had come loose puncturing the transmission case causing rapid fluid loss. The entire transmission had to be replaced.
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.
Related recalls (2)
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Auto trans ignition-park interlock
Three of the manfacturer complaints and two of the manufacturer crashes reported above were duplicates of odi reports.the majority of crashes occurred after operators parked the vehicle without engaging park gear position; a non-functional ignition-park interlock system subsequently failed to prevent key removal before the operators exited the vehicle.most of the crashes were minor and involved minor property…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chrysler Cirrus years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (66), 1996 (22), 1999 (13), 1998 (11) and 1997 (10) model years. Transmission complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chrysler Cirrus transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 04V-021 (floor shift, Jan 13, 2004); 98V-183 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Aug 6, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chrysler Cirrus transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (72 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › park/neutral start interlock switch (11).
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.