At first I heard a squeaking noise that gradually turned into a grinding noise. After having my brake pads replaced and front driver side caliper replaced, the grinding noise turned into a metal on metal grind with a peculiar metal smell which resulted in something ceasing up (only way to describe how tight the tires were rolling and how tight the steering was). It was the lower arm and ball joint separating from each other, all of this was discovered while driving down a city street at a speed of 20 MPH, we were able to access the problem better when we jacked up the front end and removed the tire and brakes on the driver front side.
The worst 1997 Chrysler Cirrus problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes11
- Engine11
- Transmission10
- Electrical8
- Acceleration7
- Steering6
- Suspension6
- Visibility6
- Airbags5
- Tires5
- Fuel system4
- Locks3
- Body2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
Recalls 4
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 number 04V021000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 number 98V183000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
- Risk
- Separation of the ball joint could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- 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 number 97V201000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs simultaneously without engaging the primary latch, the hood would not be restrained increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
Recall number 97V095000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
Defect investigations
Auto 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 interlock system could fail (or be made inoperative by the operator) during vehicle use, possibly inadvertently.the interlock system is required under fmvss 114.with the transmission in the park position and the ignition key off, the combined action of pressing the shift button and pulling the shift lever rearward may result in the operator overcoming the interlock system and cause the mechanical linkage of the system to disconnect.when this occurs, there is no overt indication to an operator that the system is defeated, and an increased risk of vehicle roll-away exists.under recall 04v021, dc will replace damaged shift mechanisms, and will install on all vehicles a device which inhibits the operator?s ability to overcome the interlock and defeat the system.beginning with my 2000, dc incorporated a brake and transmission shifter interlock (btsi) system into the subject vehicles.introduction of btsi involved design changes to the shift mechanism, one of which resulted in reduced mechanical advantage (rma) of the shift button.the rma shifter requires increased forces to overcome the interlock system, making the shifter less susceptible to damage.
EA03011
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
EA99028
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
PE99030
Lower control arm ball joint failure
By letter dated november 6, 1997, the manufacturer advised this agency of its decision to initiate a safety recall campaign of the subject vehicles to correct the defect identified in this ea.the recall will also cover 1996 and 1997 chrysler cirrus/dodge stratus vehicles, as well as 1995 through 1997 chrysler sebring convertible and plymouth breeze vehicles equipped with identical lower control arm ball joints.an estimated total of 599,00vehicles are affected by this recall.the manufacturer's investigation disclosed that process variability, together with the ball joint housing cover crimping operation, can result in an ineffective seal that permits a loss of lubrication and accelerted wear of the ball joint assembly.this condition can lead to failure and separtion of the lower control arm ball joint.the recall is identified as the federal safety agency 97v‑201 and a copy of chrysler's letter to the federal safety agency is attached hereto.
EA97016
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus 97
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts
- Use of Aftermarket Parts
- Return: Wiring Assy
- Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy
- Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your...
- CBXDP361AA
- Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
- Return: Lamp Assy
1997 Chrysler Cirrus fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 28 | 21 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
What 1997 Chrysler Cirrus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chrysler cirrus. The contact stated that while making a right turn, the rear passenger door swung open abnormally. The contact had to screw in the bolt that held the latch into place. The contact was concerned with the possibility of someone falling from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chrysler cirrus. The light on the odometer gauge on the instrument control panel stopped working. Shortly afterwards, the entire lighting on the instrument control panel failed. The horn also began blowing without application. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they replaced the steering column along with the horn switch. Two weeks after the repair the fuse failed when using the horn. The dealer replaced the ignition switch, but upon further inspection she noticed that the crank shaft position sensor had melted. The contact stated that the failure was electrical since none of the repairs have remedied the failure, and the vehicle continued to stall without prior warnings. The failure mileage was under 45,000 . The current was 99,877.
My car is a recall an like to know were can I take it to get fixed.
Owned a 1997 chrysler cirrus. Put car in reverse to back out of driveway when car accelerated to an incredible speed within seconds. Car shot out of driveway, across street into neighbors home and garage. Car has indication of continued acceleration after impact with right front tire showing the treads no longer exist. Car was totaled and home/garage damage was over $12,000. Thank god! No one was injured or killed! My family and I will never own another chrysler again!
Tl*- the contact parked her 1997 chrysler cirrus in the driveway, removed the keyes and approximately 30-45 seconds later the vehicle rolled out of the parking lot and crashed into the neighbors carport. The vehicle was parked on a flat surface, and emergency brake was not engaged. The road conditions were dry. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealership to be repaired due to a recall notice. The dealership advised the contact that they replaced the shifter plunger. The contact is still was having the same problem the vehicle. The current mileage was 10,4000 miles.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled at various speeds, without warning. The vehicle restarted after 3 to 4 minutes. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem, but cleaned the crankshaft in a repair attempt, but the vehicle continued to stall. Updated 10/25/06.
Transmission cooler line leak. Potential of fire or loss of drive ability of car. There have been three (3) failures of the same part. 10/21/98 and 4/29/04 and again today 7/11/06.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the cruise control would not disengage. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and the ignition was turned off to stop the vehicle. Although the dealer and manufacturer were alerted, no appointment was made for inspection.
Abs warning light came on. Brought car to dealership for diagnosis. Diagnosis showed system relay output circuit code. Testing showed faulty power distribution center due to corrosion. Proper repair is replacement of power distribution center and harness. Service center found part is no longer manufactured. Service center conducted nationwide parts search to no avail. As a consequence ABS system is now non-functional.
Compare the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
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Questions about the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
Is the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus reliable?
Owners have filed 69 complaints about the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus, 69.0 times a typical Cirrus model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus?
Brakes, with 11 complaints. Next is engine (11).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus have?
4 recalls, covering power train, suspension and structure.
What year does the Chrysler Cirrus have bad brakes?
The Chrysler Cirrus model years with the most brakes complaints are 1995 (121 complaints), 1996 (24 complaints) and 2000 (16 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 28 highway.
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