Chrysler Concorde harsh shifting problems

Filed Dec 18, 2008 · Electrical, Transmission · 166,000 miles · MA

My vehicle does not change into second gear. I found out while I was in heavy traffic and became a hazard to other drivers. When in reverse, it has a "clunk" noise when the gas is applied. The problem came all of a sudden without warning. There are also computer and ignition problems with this vehicle. It sounds like there is crackling in the dashboard when the heater is on, the ignition switch cannot be turned all the way to the on position when the car is on or the ABS light will come on and prevents function of the heater.

Filed Dec 5, 2008 · Steering · 120,000 miles · WV

I have a 1997 chrysler concord. I had a severe clunking noise in front end. After several trips to the garage and almost $1000 later I had replaced both inner tie rod ends, all 4 cradle bushings as well as both swaybars in front end. Not to mention front end alignments after each repair. Then my left tie rod had to be replaced again within a bout a month. The problem was eventually fixed and noise stopped until now. Six months later I'm experiencing the same noises and a lose tie rod again. I have seen all the complaints about chrysler and note that they don't include the 1997 model as having these problems but I do with my 97 concord. I have 2 children that ride in my vehicle and this is really unsafe. If the tierods break or come lose you can't steer the car. This problem really needs to be addressed by chrysler and fixed.

Filed Nov 17, 2008 · Steering · 60,000 miles · IL

My car started making a lot of clunking and grinding noise when I would turn the steering wheel and when I would go over a bump while turning, so I took my car in to a car shop and they said that it was the tie rods on my car and that if I didn't get it fixed that I would more than likely have bad accident because the steering would lock up, so I am having my car repaired at my cost, when chrysler should have taken care of this when it was first brought to there attention. My car is a 2004 chrysler concord with only 61744 miles on it, I was lucky enough to know that there was something wrong with my car and have an appointment to get the tie rods fixed before I get killed, my appointment is nov 18, 2008.

Filed Feb 27, 2008 · Engine · 78,000 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chrysler concorde. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle began making a clunking noise. The dealer stated that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. Two years later, while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off and would not restart. The engine was towed to two mechanics and they stated that the engine was locked. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 163,000 and failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2008 · Body · 62,000 miles · OH

My car started making a clunking noise, and I checked out the problem and found the engine cradle bushing were junk. The car only had 62000 miles on it. This could of caused a very bad accident if the cradle had broken. The car was lifted off the ground and there was about a 2 iinch gap between the frame and cradle where the bushing are worn out. I current don't drive this car do to this issue.

Filed Dec 12, 2007 · Engine · 118,670 miles · WI

Entering on-ramp to interstate. Car starts clunking, vibrating, clicking. Car dies on the on ramp on an interstate. Car died at 5:30 pm, it's dark out and almost hit by numerous cars speeding up to merge onto the interstate. 2 small children in the backseat. Cannot remove until help arrives because it is 5 degrees above zero outside. Towed car to local repair shop. Timing chain tensioner needed replacement. Clean sludge from oil pan. Found oil sludge and metal shavings in the oil pan and the oil screen. $834 in repairs and now engine has very loud knock. Repair shop tells me the engine is basically shot and nothing can be done to fix or salvage.

Filed Sep 22, 2007 · Steering · 111,765 miles · CA

I recently purchased a 1996 chrysler concorde from an individual party. 2 days after I bought the car, my boyfriend had parked along the street in front of a friends house for a moment, and had just began to pull away from the curb, when he heard a clunking noise. At the same time, he was turning the steering wheel to the left, away from the curb, but the car just kept going straight. Luckily, he was going at a very low speed, so no one was injured. After stopping the car, he looked underneath the vehicle as well as under the hood, and found that the bolts from the rack and pinion steering mechanism had been completely sheared off. They had snapped in half, leaving part of the bolts inside of the unit. I thank god that no one was hurt, and that my 12 year old son wasn't in the car when this happened. I don't have the money for repairs, since I just spent all the money I had buying this vehicle, so I haven't even looked into what this is going to cost me. I truly hope that chrysler accepts responsibility for this problem before even more people are injured or killed.

Filed Jul 13, 2007 · Electrical · 104,000 miles · CA

1993 chrysler concorde - 3.3 liter v6 factory installed options: power windows power locks power trunk release A/C cruise control anti-lock brakes (traction control option not installed) (power radio antenna not installed) (optional transmission cooler radiator installed) (all factory recalls were completed on this particular car) current ongoing issues with car: 1) horn randomly goes off in warmer weather (80 f +) due to possible steering wheel construction issues or computer system intermittent issue or wiring harness issue. 2) electric trunk door opens at random and when this occurs, the door locks open by themselves and the horn goes off due to possible computer system intermittent issue or wiring harness issue. 3) instrument cluster gages shut off during driving and when this happens the transmission will shift itself into 1st gear or into reverse while in city traffic or on the freeway (regardless of current speed) due to possible computer system intermittent issue or wiring harness issue. (this is usually fun to experience while on the freeway at 70 MPH+)! Not! (rpms shoot up to over 6,000+) 4) instrument cluster does not work on engine start and when this occurs, the transmission is stuck in 2nd gear and will not down or up shift while driving until instrument cluster decides to work again due to possible computer system intermittent issue or wiring harness issue. 5) the front end was never in an accident, but, when I turn sharp to the right or left while parking or just pulling out of a driveway or onto a road from a parked position, the drive shafts or struts or arms themselves seem to shift and clunk very loudly (similar to a 40 lb. Sledge hammer being swung into your sub-frame in the front end). I have taken this car to 3 chrysler dealerships and 4 private garages and no one has figured it out. I replaced (2 front drive axles, 4 struts, stutt mounts, lower ball joints, tie rods, all rubber bushings in front end, rear sway bar and bushings).

Filed Oct 18, 2006 · Engine · 130,000 miles · NJ

Dt*: the contact stated while cruising 65 MPH on the highway under normal road conditions, the oil light illuminated, and the engine made a clunking sound before the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had a 90 degree turn, and a buildup of oil sludge. The dealer was notified and determined that the VIN # did not fit under a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. There are other complaints similar to this such as odi id #10109198.

Filed Oct 10, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 60,000 miles · IL

Dt*: the contact stated that after the purchase of the vehicle there were problems with the brakes which were caused by improper installation of the brake line. The engine also made several clunky noises. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the brakeline was installed improperly and oil sludge build up contaminated the engine causing the problems. On a second visit to the dealer the engine began to smoke indicating a blowout. The dealer determined the blow out was due to poor maintenance. The components affected were the timing chain, the control panel and the engine.