Model year record

1996 Chrysler Cirrus

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 203 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V021000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
2,315,768
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-13
Owners notified
2004-06-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V183000

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
685,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-06
Owners notified
1998-10-26

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Manufacturer remedy

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 campaignNHTSA 97V201000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
599,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-13
Owners notified
1997-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Safety risk

SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V095000

Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
219,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-06
Owners notified
1997-07-14

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.

Safety risk

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V075000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
151,800
Reported to NHTSA
1996-05-03
Owners notified
1996-06-10

Defect description

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

Safety risk

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V074000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
90,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-05-02
Owners notified
1996-07-08

Defect description

CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Safety risk

IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V006000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
40,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-11
Owners notified
1996-04-22

Defect description

IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.

Safety risk

INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine2049,784 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline13
Power train: automatic transmission11127,505 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1160,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition8
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint7100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control7
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch691,960 mi
Suspension6107,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5
Air bags: frontal4
Electrical system4107,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly4
Structure: body: trunk lid4
Unknown or other4
Vehicle speed control: cruise control4
Power train: driveline3127,505 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Suspension: front3136,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer395,000 mi
Electrical system: horn2
Engine and engine cooling249,063 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock2
Seat belts2180,000 mi
Seats2125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic271,980 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Steering2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Suspension: front: control arm2
Tires2
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Air bags1180,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine1107,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment1127,505 mi
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline1127,505 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1135,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages1127,505 mi
Parking brake145,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train187,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: axle assembly189,455 mi
Power train: manual transmission1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module116,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm180,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1135,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1100,000 mi

The 1995 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.