Owners filed 79 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline › fuel injection system. It has been recalled 2 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
8
0
1
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
5
1
0
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
5
0
0
0
Steering
3
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
3
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
3
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
3
0
0
0
Electrical System
3
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
2
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift04V021000
Filed Jan 13, 20042,315,768 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation
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.
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.
Filed Aug 6, 1998722,600 vehiclesChrysler Corporation
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 7, 2019160,000 milesND
I NOTICED A GAS SMELL WHILE DRIVING AND THOUGHT THAT SINCE I HAD RECENTLY PUT GAS INTO THE VEHICLE THAT THAT WAS WHAT I SMELLED. THE SMELL PERSISTED AND I HAD THE HOOD OPEN AND I NOTICED THAT GAS WAS GUSHING OUT OF THE FRONT MIDDLE PART OF THE ENGINE. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND IT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF SO I PARKED IT AND IT NOW SITS. I RELY ON MY CAR TO GET TO WORK. I WAS TOLD THAT A FIRE COULD START AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFEY AND OTHERS AROUND ME.
Electrical System
Filed Feb 23, 201368,044 milesOK
I WAS DRIVING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY DASH LIGHT WENT BLACK. IT STOPPED WORKING. THEY DID NOT WORK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THEN A WEEK AGO THEY CAME BACK ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TONIGHT, AFTER A WEEK OF WORKING DASH LIGHTS, THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHAT IS GOING ON? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 16, 2011127,200 milesOR
BAD FUEL LEAK DEVELOPED , AND WAS , AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS , REPAIRED BY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER ,- PLENUM , INJECTOR ETC. REPLACED. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 16, 2011140,000 milesOR
CAR HAS HAD BAD FUEL LEAK NOW FOR A MONTH , IT IS AN INJECTOR THAT I AM CERTAIN WAS REPLACED BY THE LOCAL DEALER TWO YEARS AGO , BUT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED IT, THEY ARE CLAIMING THEY REPLACED A DIFFERENT INJECTOR TO THE LEAKING ONE ,AND THEREFORE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE LEAK . *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 22, 2011143,000 milesMN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V184000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) IN 1999 FOR AN ABNORMAL GASOLINE SMELL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR HAD RETURNED AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS EXTREMELY OVERPOWERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE O-RINGS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Aug 7, 2010105,243 milesHI
I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I CHECKED IT ON A COMPUTER AND IT SAID MISFIRE ON CYLINDER ONE. IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND A FAMILY FRIEND IS A SERVICE MANAGER FOR A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ON THE MAINLAND, I LIVE IN HAWAII. HE SAID THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT VERY LIKELY COULD BE RELATED TO RECALL # 98V184000. I TOOK IT INTO, CUTTER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP IN PEARL CITY HAWAII, IN HOPES THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS AND TO COME AND PICK UP MY CAR. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING, GRANTED WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH BUT IT WAS RUNNING NEVERTHELESS. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OFF OF THE LOT AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO MY HOUSE I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. I STILL HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN I DROVE THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I KNOW THAT IT MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF TRIPS TO RESET THE COMPUTER. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF I WANTED TO CHECK AND SEE HOW THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE. THAT IS WHEN I FOUND THAT THERE WAS GAS UNDER THE FUEL RAIL, AND THE FUEL RAIL HAS CRACKS AROUND WHERE THE FUEL INJECTORS SIT. I TOOK THE PARTS TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD THE PARTS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT WENT FROM THE GENTLEMAN THAT I WAS WORKING WITH IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HIS MANAGER TO TOM SMITH WHO ULTIMATELY SAID HE WOULD NOT HELP ME WITH THIS RECALL. THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE DEFINITELY LEAKING AND THERE ARE CRACKS ON THE
Steering
Filed May 3, 2010137,000 milesNC
MY 1997 CHRYSLER LHS COMPLETELY LOST ALL STEERING,THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER WITH NO RESISTANCE AT ALL AND THE WHEELS NEVER MOVED,LUCKILY IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT DRIVING MY GRANDKIDS. *TR
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 5, 200997,000 milesAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS CLEANED. SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. SHE HAD TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL WEEKS LATER. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 104,000. UPDATED 3/30/09 *CNTHE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. UPDATED 03/31/09.*JB
Steering
Filed Nov 6, 2008174,000 milesIN
I JUST PURCHASED THE CURSED 97 CHRYSLER LHS . DRIVING IT HOME I NOTICED SLOPPY STEERING CONDITIONS. AND I HIT A POTHOLE AND MY CAR JERKED OVER TO THE NEXT LANE AND ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT HOME I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE TIE RODS AND OF COURSE THEY WERE LOOSE AT THE INNER TIE ROD. SO IM STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE CAR THAT I CANT DRIVE. THANKS ALOT YOU BILLIONAIRE FREAKS. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Jul 3, 2008130,000 milesMD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL PERTAINING TO THE GASOLINE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE FUEL INJECTION WAS LEAKING GAS. RECALL # 98V184000. UPDATED 07/31/08. *JB
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 16, 200699,000 milesMN
THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING CAN NOT BE REMOVED TO REPLACE A BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT BULB. THERE ARE TWO BOLTS THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED FOR EACH HEADLIGHT. ONE OF THE TWO BOLTS CAN NOT BE REMOVED AS THE NUT HOLDING THE BOLT ROTATES INSIDE THE PLASTIC HOUSING AND WILL NOT LET THE BOLT BE REMOVED. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND MEANS THAT TO MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A BURNED OUT BULB MUCH LONGER THAN NECESSARY UNTIL THEY CAN SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE THAT LONG TO REPLACE A BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT. *NM
Electrical System
Filed Feb 23, 2005MA
THE SPEED, TEMPERATURE, AND FUEL LIGHT GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *JB
Electrical System
Filed Feb 23, 2005MA
I HAVE A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS, MOST OF THE TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING ALL OF MY INSTRUMENT WILL DROP DOWN TO 0 AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE HEAT WILL COME ON FULL BLAST HOT NO MATTER WHAT SETTING I HAVE IT ON. AND THEN WHEN THE INSTRUMENT FINALY COME BACK UP TO THE SPEED THAT I AM GOING THE A/C COMES ON AS WELL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN RANDOLPH SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG,LONG TIME. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Dec 13, 200445,000 milesFL
INSTRUMENT PANEL LOOSE GROUND CONNECTIONS CAUSE DRIVER INST PANEL TO GO ON OR OFF WHEN DRIVING THIS ALSO EFFECTS AIR BAG PANEL LIGHT. THIS IS CHRYSLER TSB. WHEN OCCURS YOU ARE BLIND TO GAS & ALL DISPLAYS, INCL MPH.VERY DANGERIOUS, SHOULD BE A RECALL.*AK
Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed Nov 24, 2004NC
VEHICLE TENDS TO SWERVE MAKING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL DIFFICULT. REPAIR SHOP SAYS THE STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *NM
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Nov 23, 2004108,214 milesCA
(1) EVENTS: NORMAL DRIVING. (2) LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ON 1997 CHRYSLER LHS. DUE TO LUCK THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY, ALTHOUGH FAILURE AT A DIFFERENT TIME WOULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. FAILURE IS NOT YET FULLY ANALYZED, BUT APPEARS TO BE DUE TO FAILURE OF EITHER INNER TIE ROD BUSHING OR INNER TIE ROD MOUNTING BOLT. STEERING CONTROL OF LEFT SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOST. I WILL PROVIDE UPDATE WHEN EXACT NATURE OF FAILURE IS AVAILABLE. FOR LEGAL REASONS I AM PROCEEDING CAREFULLY IN ANALYZING THIS FAILURE. COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER ANALYSIS IS COMPLETE. *JB
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Nov 9, 2004CA
WHEN MY FUEL GUAGE READS A HALF OF A TANK, I'LL RUN OUT OF GAS. *AK
Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Aug 4, 2004167,995 milesTN
RACK AND PINION BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Jul 29, 200484,476 milesCA
I READ AN ARTICLE ONLINE ABOUT DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS MODEL GEN3 ON CHRYSLER LHS VEHICLES FROM 1994 THRU 2001. I SAW VIDEOS OF HOW THEY WERE TESTED AND HOW THEY FAILED. I CHECKED MY SEAT BELTS ON MY CHRYSLER LHS 1997 AND FOUND THAT THEY TOO FAILED THE TEST. I CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER DEALER BUT SAID THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BUY THE PARTS AND HAVE THEM REPLACED. I JUST RECENLY OBTAINED THIS VEHICLE AND I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSAFE PARTS INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail
Filed Jul 19, 2004FL
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REPLACEMENT FUEL RAIL O RING TO REINFORCE THE FUEL OUTLET RAIL. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A FUEL ODOR COMING INSIDE FROM THE VENTS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED OIL ON TOP OF THE ENGINE LEAKING UNDERNEATH. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. A RECALL WAS DONE FOUR YEARS AGO, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jan 13, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.