Most common 1996 Chrysler LHS problems
Share of the 135 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chrysler LHS complaints by model year
Best LHS years: 1998, 2001, 1997. Years to avoid: 1999, 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1996 Chrysler LHS 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with 3.5l engines. The fuel injection delivery system can leak fuel from some of the sealing o-rings or from hair line cracks in the thermoset fuel injection rail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail o-rings and reinforce the outlet (passenger) side fuel rail. Vehicles showing fuel leakage on the outlet fuel rail must have the outlet rail replaced which includes changing the upper…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1996 Chrysler LHS:
Steering system rack and pinion
Since opening the preliminary evaluation (pe), odi has received 6 additional complaints.during the pe it was determined multiple failure modes are involved in this matter.the warranty claim rate is high for a steering system concern.the issues reported involve premature wear out at the rack and pinion interface with the inner tie rod end(s), binding and sticking of the steering gear, cracked or broken tie rod ends,…
Steering system rack and pinion
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…
Fuel rail, brake fluid, chassis
On September 5, 2004, mr. Robert galenty of iselin, nj, petitioned the agency to conduct defect investigations of certain model year (my) 1993-1997 vehicles produced by daimlerchrysler corporation.his petition identified three issues of concern: 1) fuel leaking from the fuel injector rails; 2) brake fluid contamination resulting in brake failure; and 3) susceptibility of the vehicle frame to damage while the vehicle…
What 1996 Chrysler LHS owners say
Steering all 49 →
I'd parked my 1996 Chrysler LHS in a parking lot for a couple of hours on 7/10/2005. The vehicle has 95K miles on it. As I returned, and backed the vehicle up to exit the space, I heard a loud "pop". Suddenly the car no longer responded to steering. Upon examination, I found the inner tie rod bolts had sheared off where they connected to the steering gear. Both bolts had sheared off at the same length, and the retaining plate was still in place, preventing the bolts from loosening/rotating. If this had occured while I was driving down the freeway, I'd be dead. I haven't had it repaired yet, but I've kept the old tie rod bolts. I don't know how easy I can get out the sheared ends from the steering gear, but I would suspect it won't be in good shape when I finish.
Inner tie rod ends only last realistically about 10,000 miles,become completely unserviceable in 20,000. I am sure Chrysler is aware of this poor design/material problem. Additionally, the steering box also has problems with the mounting bushings. Be advised that I have replaced the inner tie rods twice, then the bushings when they became available in after market form. Chrysler, after my many complaints, replaced the tie rod ends(once again) and the steering box due to movement of the box due to bushing wear. Once again, the tie rod bushings need to be replaced. This car now has almost 80,000 miles. Isn't this ridiculous. Having at one time been a front end mechanic I know how dangerous this problem is. The car is a 1996 Chrysler LHS. I expect some relief from this.
Fuel & propulsion system all 24 →
The vehicle had a recall on the fuel rail which was repaired in 1999 by previous owner. Its blowing fuel onto the motor again. The same issue . It has 130K miles on it. When our mechanic looked at it we saw it was the same issue as the previous recall. The parts places we called said they do not sell the the recall kits to take to dealership. Called dealership spoke with manager. They said the recall kits are in detroit and since the recall. L hs been repaired once it cant be repaired again. We called manufacturer. They said to go to a scrap yard to get part or call back dealership and advise them to order the kit and re do it and theres also another recall on it currently amd forbthe dealership to honor that recall also. We called back dealership and are currently waiting on a decision. They said they would get back to us today. We havent heard back. This is my only work vehicle. …
While driving 10 MPH consumer was informed that vehicle was on fire. The consumer smelled fuel, and noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The consumer pulled over, and noticed that fluid was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the fuel rail o-rings needed to be replaced.
Brakes
After removing the ignition key, from parked vehicle it rolled forward down a hill and smashed another vehicle. Vehicle was parked on level ground. The vehicle traveled a city block. The consumer believed the problem started after the recall on floor shifter was performed.
Upon test driving this vehicle I noted to the salesman that the brakes felt like they woudnt stop the car -they set up an appointment to check the brakes and relpace the hood shocks -upon keeping the appointment they replaced the hood shocks and let my wife leave w/o checking the brakes -a Dodge technician told me Chrysler has that no stop type of effect when they install value line brake pads-this concerns me -we now have a car we havnt made a payment on yet and now its close to totaled-others I know w/ this body style has experienced similar stopping problem-also it hit hard enough to brake the wheel assymbly and axle on right front and jambded both pass. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chrysler LHS a good car?
Based on 135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 LHS rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the LHS at the same age. It is one of the LHS years we suggest avoiding. 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 1996 Chrysler LHS?
The steering — 49 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about linkages › tie rod assembly. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (24) and brakes (15).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chrysler LHS have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1996 Chrysler LHS, 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 LHS?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998, 2001 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 1995 and 1996. See the full Chrysler LHS years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler LHS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 19% 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.