1996 Chrysler Cirrus: common problems and reliability

The 1996 Chrysler Cirrus has 194 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and electrical system. Owners most often flag poor build quality and cheap interior materials — brittle plastic, door panels with tabs that break easily, extremely shallow cup holders. frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 1996 model year

194
Owner complaints
11
Recalls
10
Crash reports
5
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1996 Chrysler Cirrus vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine and engine cooling
43
electrical system
24
power train
24
service brakes
24
hydraulic
23

Recalls affecting the 1996 Cirrus

suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint

Campaign 09E056000

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWI…

suspension:front:control arm:lower arm

Campaign 10E059000

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL…

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 06E091000

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLE…

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 06E088000

CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LI…

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly negative sentiment based on long-term owner reports. The vehicle is consistently described as unreliable, poorly built, and frustrating to own and maintain. Positive remarks are extremely rare and isolated to minor features like headlights and w

  • Poor build quality and cheap interior materials — brittle plastic, door panels with tabs that break easily, extremely shallow cup holders. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Chronic electrical problems — vehicles randomly not starting for hours, shutting off while driving, dashboard gauge clusters malfunctioning, dead batteries. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Automatic transmission failures — transmissions described as problematic and prone to failure, often around 90,000 miles. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Engine failures and head gasket issues — engines failing around 90,000 miles; a specific technical service bulletin (TSB 09-05-98) addressed a faulty multi-layer steel head gasket for 1995-2000 models. V6 engines noted for serious, unspecified issues and notorious engine sludge. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Inconvenient maintenance design — battery located behind the front driver's side wheel, requiring wheel removal or specific steering angle to access. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Cirrus.

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