The 1998 Chrysler Cirrus has 7 safety recalls and 69 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (12 complaints).
Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints69filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
NHTSA recall 10E059000 · Dec 27, 2010 · 22,689 vehicles
Problem: 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 ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
NHTSA recall 09E056000 · Oct 9, 2009 · 5,787 vehicles
Problem: 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 ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
Problem: IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 06E088000 · Oct 23, 2006 · 39,243 vehicles
Problem: 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 LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Risk: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
NHTSA recall 04V021000 · Jan 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Risk: DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
NHTSA recall 98V183000 · Aug 6, 1998 · 685,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1998 Chrysler Cirrus 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Cirrus
22mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Cirrus
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator; Wiring › Interior/under dash
12
0
2
0
79,865 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
11
0
1
0
95,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
9
0
0
0
141,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
9
0
0
1
—
Vehicle speed control
7
2
0
2
—
Suspension Rear › Axle › Spindle; Front
5
0
0
0
60,000 mi
Engine
5
0
0
0
70,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; On-off switch assembly
4
1
0
0
—
Structure Body › Hood; Frame and members › Underbody shields
4
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Anchorage
3
0
0
0
—
Tires Temporary/emergency spare tire
3
1
0
1
—
Wheels Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 4, 2024Electrical system Vehicle dies going down the highway sitting or idling runs for 30 minutes then dies, lots of complaints about Chrysler vehicles doing this, very unsafe, vehicle should never shut down by themselves, electrical problems.
Jan 3, 2019 · 17,356 milesElectronic stability control (esc) THE MISFIRES AND STALLS WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S WARMED UP AND IF IT'S COLD. STALLS AND MISFIRES WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND JUST STOPS WHEN IT WANTS TOO
Oct 28, 2016Suspension TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Dec 29, 2015Tires ON DEC 29TH 2015 I WENT TO BELL TIRES ROSEVILLE MICHIGAN TO HAVE A PUNCTURED TIRE REPAIRED THEY WERE REALLY BUSY SO I LEFT MY TIRE THERE WITH MY SPARE ON NEXT DAY AT 8AM ON DEC 30TH 2015 THEY SAID THEY PATCHED MY TIRE BUT THEY HAD NO TIME TO PUT THE TIRE ON SO WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRE ROSEVILLE MICHIGAN THEY NOTICE THE TIRE WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY AS THE TIRE WAS PATCHED BUT IT APPEARED THAT IT WAS NOT PLUGGED. I DON'T HAVE THE TIRE INFO RIGHT NOW I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU LATER BUT MY CAR IS 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. MY EMAIL IS [XXX]- I AM - [XXX] (I PREFER EMAIL).......PLEASE NOTICE THAT MAYBE BELL TIRE USED A NEW AND APPROVED PROCEDURE TO FIX MY TIRE THAT DOES NOT INVOLVED PLUGGING AS WELL AS…
Nov 5, 2014Electrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE MISFIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE AND THE BALL JOINTS WERE PREMATURELY WORN. IN ADDITION, THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Feb 13, 2014 · 70,000 milesEngine I BOUGHT MY CAR IN FEB 2014 USED WITH A LITTLE UNDER 70,000 MILES. OVERALL THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH A FEW MINOR PAINT ISSUES. WITHIN THE 1ST WEEK OF BUYING IT I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND ACT LIKE IT WOULD STALL, OR WOULD ACTUALLY STALL ALL TOGETHER ONCE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE SCARIEST IS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY & THE CAR LOOSES ALL POWER! I HAVE LEARNED IS IF I THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL THEN THE POWER WILL COME BACK UP & I DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP MOST OF THE TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO I HAVE USED FOR OVER 10 YRS & HE STILL HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE, HE SAID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE IS COMING…
Jun 25, 2012 · 176,000 milesPower train 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. *TR
Oct 31, 2010 · 60,000 milesSuspension TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION OR PARKING, THERE WAS A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO REPAIRED VARIOUS COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND DEALER REPAIRED MOST OF THE SUSPENSION INCLUDING THE TIE ROD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,900.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004 · led to recall 04V021000AUTO 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 ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE…
EA99028 · opened Sep 10, 1999 · closed Jul 26, 2001 · led to recall 01I012000STEERING SHAFT BINDING There is no summary currently available
PE99030 · opened May 3, 1999 · closed Sep 10, 1999STEERING SHAFT BINDING There is no summary currently available