The 1996 Chrysler LHS has 2 safety recalls and 135 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (58 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints135filed by owners
Crashes · fires12 · 7reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
NHTSA recall 98V184000 · Aug 6, 1998 · 722,600 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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 AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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
1996 Chrysler LHS 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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Rack and pinion
Electrical system Ignition; Wiring › Interior/under dash
9
0
1
0
—
Vehicle speed control
4
2
0
0
—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner
4
0
2
0
—
Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices › Interior; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Rear window
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
Oct 4, 2018 · 130,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 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…
Apr 15, 2017 · 137,000 milesSteering HAS LOOSE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL AND STARTED GO OFF OF THE ROAD FOR A MOMENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD..
Jul 20, 2016 · 84,000 milesSuspension TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND STEER TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS OF THE VEHICLE WERE DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Dec 12, 2014 · 111,000 milesSteering DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL LOST CONTROL WHILE TURNING LEFT. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. DIAGNOSING FAILURE TODAY. BELIEVE EITHER TIE ROD OR STEERING BOX. IF YOUR STEERING WHEEL HAS ANY PLAY WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT DRIVING UNTIL HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC. LIVES COULD EASILY BE LOST AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Aug 7, 2014 · 190,000 miles · fireEngine I PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN AND MOTOR OIL AND TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY KIDS WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. *TR
Nov 15, 2009 · 120,000 milesSteering 1.CLUNCKING,GRINDING, DOESN'T STEER PROPERLY 2.EVERY TIME IT'S ON THE ROAD 3.PARTS WILL BE REPLACED WHEN WE HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO. *TR
Nov 11, 2008Steering FRONT END SHAKING AND POPPING REPLACED TIRERODS A LOWERCONTROL ARMS. *TR
Sep 1, 2006Suspension › Front I BOUGHT A 96 LHS IN SEPT 2006 AND KNEW I NEEDED TO DO SOME FRONT END WORK. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WAS EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT END WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. TIE RODS, BALL JOINT, HUB BEARINGS, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, BOOTS (AXLES) TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. I CAN'T BEGIN TO REMEMBER ALL THE PARTS I HAVE REPLACED. NOW TODAY AFTER ANOTHER TRIP TO THE REPAIR SHOP I AM INFORMED THE RACK AND PINION IS SHOT. AFTER ALL THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE STILL RIDES LIKE A TRACTOR. THERE ARE WEBSITES FULL OF THE SAME STORIES ABOUT DODGE/CHRYSLER AND NOBODY CAN MAKE THESE PEOPLE CLEAN THIS MESS UP? AND WE KEEP GIVING THEM BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS. MY NEXT LETTER WILL BE TO MY SENATOR AND…
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
DP04007 · opened Oct 13, 2004 · closed Oct 27, 2004FUEL 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 IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT…
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…
EA99031 · opened Oct 29, 1999 · closed Sep 13, 2001STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION There is no summary currently available
PE99044 · opened Jun 28, 1999 · closed Oct 29, 1999STEERING 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, SHEARED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY BOLTS, AND WEAR OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION MOUNT BUSHINGS.MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS MENTION STEERING WONDER AND LOOSE STEERING.THREE OF THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINTS ALLEGE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO SHEARED BOLTS.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PE IN ORDER TO PERFORM A THOROUGH TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEM FAILURE ALLEGATIONS AND TO QUANTIFY THE EFFECT THAT THESE FAILURES HAVE ON VEHICLE CONTROL.