Model year record

1997 Chrysler LHS recalls & problems

The 1997 Chrysler LHS has 2 safety recalls and 79 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (24 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints79filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainJan 13, 2004

Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift

Recall 04V0210002,315,768 vehiclesopened 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, gasolineAug 6, 1998

Fuel injection system

Recall 98V184000722,600 vehiclesopened 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

1997 Chrysler LHS 4-DR.

OverallNot 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*
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Storage › Tank assembly	24	0	1	0	127,200 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	13	0	0	1	121,454 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc	12	0	0	0	—
SteeringRack and pinion; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections	11	0	0	0	131,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	8	1	0	1	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Windshield	6	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemHorn; Wiring	5	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly	4	1	0	1	—
Fuel system, otherStorage › Fuel gauge system	4	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	3	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint	3	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	2	2	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
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.
Feb 6, 2019 · 160,000 miles
Electrical system
I WAS DRIVING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY DASH LIGHT WENT BLACK. IT STOPPED WORKING. THEY DID NOT WORK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THEN A WEEK AGO THEY CAME BACK ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TONIGHT, AFTER A WEEK OF WORKING DASH LIGHTS, THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHAT IS GOING ON? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE. *TR
May 30, 2012 · 68,044 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
CAR HAS HAD BAD FUEL LEAK NOW FOR A MONTH , IT IS AN INJECTOR THAT I AM CERTAIN WAS REPLACED BY THE LOCAL DEALER TWO YEARS AGO , BUT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED IT, THEY ARE CLAIMING THEY REPLACED A DIFFERENT INJECTOR TO THE LEAKING ONE ,AND THEREFORE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE LEAK . *TR
Nov 14, 2011 · 140,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
BAD FUEL LEAK DEVELOPED , AND WAS , AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS , REPAIRED BY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER ,- PLENUM , INJECTOR ETC. REPLACED. *TR
Oct 14, 2009 · 127,200 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V184000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) IN 1999 FOR AN ABNORMAL GASOLINE SMELL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR HAD RETURNED AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS EXTREMELY OVERPOWERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE O-RINGS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Nov 15, 2011 · 143,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I CHECKED IT ON A COMPUTER AND IT SAID MISFIRE ON CYLINDER ONE. IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND A FAMILY FRIEND IS A SERVICE MANAGER FOR A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ON THE MAINLAND, I LIVE IN HAWAII. HE SAID THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT VERY LIKELY COULD BE RELATED TO RECALL # 98V184000. I TOOK IT INTO, CUTTER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP IN PEARL CITY HAWAII, IN HOPES THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS AND TO COME AND PICK UP MY CAR. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING, GRANTED WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH BUT IT WAS RUNNING NEVERTHELESS. I HAD…
May 15, 2009 · 105,243 miles
Steering
MY 1997 CHRYSLER LHS COMPLETELY LOST ALL STEERING,THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER WITH NO RESISTANCE AT ALL AND THE WHEELS NEVER MOVED,LUCKILY IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT DRIVING MY GRANDKIDS. *TR
May 3, 2010 · 137,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
TL*THE 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.…
Jul 2, 2008 · 97,000 miles

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

FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSISClosed
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…
DP04007 · opened Oct 13, 2004 · closed Oct 27, 2004
AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKClosedLed to recall 04V021000
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…
EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004
FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM FUEL LEAKClosedLed to recall 98V184000
RQ98018 · opened Oct 7, 1998 · closed Jul 8, 2002