The 1997 Chrysler Cirrus has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,818,768 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN04V0210002004-01-132,315,768 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
POWER TRAIN98V1830001998-08-06685,000 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
SUSPENSION97V2010001997-11-13599,000 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Consequence
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.
STRUCTURE97V0950001997-06-06219,000 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
6
2fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
6
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
3crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
4crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
4
1crashes
TIRES:SIDEWALL
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
2fires
SUSPENSION
3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2
Total complaints93
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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.…”
“My car is a recall an like to know were can I take it to get fixed. *tr”
“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…”
“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…”
“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. *jb”
“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. *nm”
“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.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA03011 Opened 2003-07-17 · closed 2004-01-30
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…
InvestigationEA03011 Opened 2003-07-17 · closed 2004-01-30
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…
InvestigationEA97016 Opened 1997-09-29 · closed 1997-11-20
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…
InvestigationEA99028 Opened 1999-09-10 · closed 2001-07-26
STEERING SHAFT BINDING
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE99030 Opened 1999-05-03 · closed 1999-09-10
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Chrysler Cirrus as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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