Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chrysler Concorde owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My engine started making a noise on July 4, 2003. When I had it towed to a dealership they said there was sludge in the engine and it was on us, we had also purchased an extended warranty and they denied our claim and the dealership we purchased the vehicle did to, we have all oil receipts and I've done alot of research on the 2.7l engines and there are alot of the these engines with this same problem (sludge build up) the quote to repair my car is $9500.00 and I cannot afford this, it has been almost 7 months and my car is just sitting in my drive way, I'm making monthly payments on this car and it is no good. Please help all of us to do something about Chrysler. It's us little people against the big corporations and we have no chance at all.
I use to own a 1996 Chrysler Concorde lxi I have encountered several problems, such as my wheels falling off, looseness in the steering. A Chrysler dealership stated the car should not be driven on the road at all! My engine failed while driving 45 m.p.h., all power to the car died. I have been talking to several Concorde owners and this is a well know problem with these. I stop making payment for this car after the original dealership where I brought it from would not fix it while under warranty. I fear for the person who has this car now, they could lose their life.
I was driving 70 MPH down the highway when the car shuddered. I took an off ramp by the time I reached the end of the off ramp the car had died and would not restart. The extended warranty I purchased is no good, due to bankrupty. The dealer insisted I tow it to them and they would work with me to help pay for the repair. They then blamed me completely and refused to help me at all. This is the second major repair to this car. First bushings and then bolts coming out the powersteering housing. If I had not been near an off ramp I could have been in a major accident.
Going 70 MPH on a freeway car and steering wheel began to vibrate violently. Heard clanking noise exit the freeway. Valve head was almost broken through due to rocker arm shaft mounting boss breaking. Had to receive roadside assistant. Chrysler was aware of the problem and issued a service bulletin to machine shops about what to do. The bolts had to replaced.
Steering is very bad. Pulls to the left. Rack and pinion bushings bad, as well as a tie rod. Usually makes a popping noise when turning. Engine cooling system has malfunctioned. Continues to overheat. Replaced water pump twice as well as thermostat. ABS light continues to come on. Brakes are very bad. I've replaced them numerous times.
1996 Concorde 2.7 liter engine malfunctioned at about 87,000 miles. Service has been regular and mostly at the dealership. At 81,000 miles the oil light was flickering, we took it to the dealer who checked it and said not to worry.
I've had a 1996 Chrysler Concorde lx for about 1 yr. It has always had problems when I put the key in the ignition 99% of the time I have to keep turning the key until it turns on, if it even does, and a few months ago everytime my car does turn on, all the interior lights stay on while driving and the door locks keep going up and down. It hasn't been drivable for at least 2 months now. Replaced relays, fuses, starter, alternator, battery! I even took it to a shop which the manager is a family friend, he had it for 2 wks. Ran a full diagnostic and also the battery which is new and have exchanged several times will not hold a charge. It has new battery ground cable new cable from alternator to starter connection, new spark plugs and wires and still has all these problems. And now if the car will turn on the ABS light comes on. Car was overheating and it now has a new thermostat. …
A popping noise has been present since about 12000 miles. Repeated attempts to find have not resulted in a cure. At 35500 miles I insisted that the front end be completely checked. The four front cradle mounts were replaced but the noise continued. Additional checking revealed a left front axle that was defective. This still did not stop the noise. The rack and pinion steering assembly were replaced with only moderate changes in the noise. Now a left front strut and mount are being replaced. I have no assurrance that this will correct the problem. I know of one other Chrysler Concorde that has experienced rack and pinion failure in the past 30 days. This occurred while stopped at a traffic light. I have encouraged him to report this to the ntsb.
Engine check light came on after driving about 25 miles. Engine stopped and steam came out from reserve no steam from the water pump area. Dealer and Chrysler say car was driven with no coolant and that water pump had failed causing the engine to blow. Chrysler will not help. Cost of engine is $4500+ similar complaints on this problem appear on your site. Somehow, coolant is being lost through the engine and not by any visible signs such as dripping on the driveway. . Coolant was checked three days before. No leakage or drips on driveway. Chrysler will not help. Found several other similar problems on the NHTSA site. Cost of repair is $4500+
Problem with Chrysler Concorde 1996 oxygen sensor. The consumer needed to replace the oxygen sensor nine times. The dealer replaced the power control module and program to see if that was the underlying problem. (the problem still occurred) the check engine light had come on and the mechanic found the upstream oxygen sensor needed to be replaced once again. The consumer requested Chrysler to pay for the correction of the problem with the oxygen sensor. The remote to the door lock made a different sound, the driver's window was noisy and was tightened and lubed.
Engine complaints in other Concorde years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Chrysler Concorde?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Chrysler Concorde, 16% of the model year's 161 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chrysler Concorde engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 Chrysler Concorde, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler Concorde engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.