Most common 1997 Chrysler LHS problems
Share of the 79 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 →
1997 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 3 possible defects involving the 1997 Chrysler LHS:
Fuel injection delivery system fuel leak
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 1997 Chrysler LHS owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 24 →
I noticed a gas smell while driving and thought that since I had recently put gas into the vehicle that that was what I smelled. The smell persisted and I had the hood open and I noticed that gas was gushing out of the front middle part of the engine. My engine light had come on and it was flashing on and off so I parked it and it now sits. I rely on my car to get to work. I was told that a fire could start and I feared for my safey and others around me.
I drive a 1997 Chrysler LHS. I have 2 issues both covered under recalls that Chrysler has performed. 1. Evaporator failed - Chrysler added an addendum to increase the warranty on this to 71,000 miles. Mine failed at 53K and I had a independant mechanic repair my car. Total cost was around $1,000. Called Chrysler and they simply said they would not cover the cost of the repair. I asked why and the help desk person said a tech told him we won't cover the costs. The repairs we're made last year. If it's covered and their addendum states it will ocver it how are they allowed to skirt past this? 2. My car leaks gas. Found a recall in 1999 that addressed an issue about bad fuel rails and Chrysler would did indeed repair cars. My car has the recall repairs performed. Doing a VIN check verified this. So I explained to my Chrysler dealer that obviously the recall is bad. …
Brakes
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chrysler LHS. While the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance, the transmission pan was cleaned. Several hours after the repair, while driving in reverse, the accelerator pedal became stuck in the applied position. The contact was unable to apply the brakes. She had to remove the key from the ignition in order to stop the vehicle. The dealer replaced the master cylinder, but the failure recurred several weeks later. She is in the process of taking the vehicle back to the dealer for a proper diagnosis. The failure mileage was 97,000 and current mileage is 104,000. Updated 3/30/09 *cnthe brake pedal went to the floor and the acclerator pedal was stuck. Updated 03/31/09.
The problem with the brakes was there when I purchased the car. I asked the dealer to fix the brake chatter. They allegedly serviced the brakes and the problem was improved but still there. However, now that the car has been through a little more mileage, the problem is getting markedly worse. I think the rotors must be warped. Seems that this should have been corrected when I asked the dealer the first time. After reading some of the bulletin boards on this problem, I see that this is probably a material defect in the rotor composition. Please help me to resolve this problem. I file this complaint because I wish to officially document the severe chatter that occurs when braking at around 45 MPH. It probably would not be such a problem if the steering wheel didn't vibrate so violently. I'm concerned about a loss of control in an emergency situation. Thanks, robert murry
Steering
(1) events: normal driving. (2) loss of steering control on 1997 Chrysler LHS. Due to luck there was no accident or injury, although failure at a different time would easily have resulted in severe injury or death. Failure is not yet fully analyzed, but appears to be due to failure of either inner tie rod bushing or inner tie rod mounting bolt. Steering control of left side front wheel was completely lost. I will provide update when exact nature of failure is available. For legal reasons I am proceeding carefully in analyzing this failure. Complete documentation will be available after analysis is complete.
I just purchased the cursed 97 Chrysler LHS . Driving it home I noticed sloppy steering conditions. And I hit a pothole and my car jerked over to the next lane and almost hit an oncoming vehicle. When I got home I went straight to the tie rods and of course they were loose at the inner tie rod. So im stuck with an unsafe car that I cant drive. Thanks alot you billionaire freaks.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chrysler LHS a good car?
Based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 LHS rates average: 27% fewer complaints than a typical year of the LHS at the same age. It is one of the best LHS years by this measure. 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 1997 Chrysler LHS?
The fuel & propulsion system — 24 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about fuel injection system. Next are the brakes (11) and steering (10).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chrysler LHS have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 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 1997 Chrysler LHS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 121,000 miles; 9% 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.