1996 Chrysler Cirrus Recalls, Complaints & Specs
7 safety recalls list the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus, and owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
7 safety recalls for the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Floor shift (power train)
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.
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.
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Park/neutral start interlock switch (power train)
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…
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.
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Suspension: lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
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…
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Hinge and attachments (structure)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch spring with a longer end hook spring.
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Master cylinder (service brakes)
The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
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Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)
Corrosion of the ABS hydraulic control unit can cause the solenoid valves to stick in the open position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a plate and silicone grease injected into the solenoid cavity to eliminate the potential for this condition.
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Gasoline (engine and engine cooling)
In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Remedy: Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.
160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA; 10 describe a crash and 5 describe a fire. Reports cite 11 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 92,466 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 31 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“My front tires feel like they are going to break off the vehicle due to the lower ball joints,steering control arm, inner and outer tie rods; accelerates all by itself. Will not lock shifter with key”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 9, 2017 · Electrical system
“My 1996 cirrus with only 87+++ miles suddenly downshifts while driving over 40 MPH. This is a recent purchase. I live in wyoming and it is winter time with icy road conditions nearly everywhere. I am”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 22, 2016 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18 / 26 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.4/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Chrysler Cirrus model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chrysler Cirrus model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 Chrysler Cirrus | 0 | 3 |
| 1995 Chrysler Cirrus | 7 | 369 |
| 1996 Chrysler Cirrus | 7 | 160 |
| 1997 Chrysler Cirrus | 4 | 69 |
| 1998 Chrysler Cirrus | 3 | 69 |
| 1999 Chrysler Cirrus | 3 | 62 |
| 2000 Chrysler Cirrus | 5 | 99 |
| 2001 Chrysler Cirrus | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
How do I know if my 1996 Chrysler Cirrus has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 7 campaigns currently list the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chrysler dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V021000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chrysler models
- Town and Country13,517 complaints
- Pacifica7,008 complaints
- 3004,925 complaints
- 2004,187 complaints
- Sebring2,833 complaints
- Pt Cruiser2,524 complaints
- Concorde2,217 complaints
- 300C1,258 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.