Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Watch out! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Unhappy - November 21 - 12:18 pm

  We bought this car used, was only 2 years old, fully loaded and great price. Or so we thought. Within 2 months, the handle broke from the inside, repair cost $350. Then the wheel bearings need to be replaced, $400. The the radiator hose collapsed, replacement another $180. Now the car keeps overheating when in a stand still position, repair cost unknown. Anyone else having this many problems, weve only had it a year! Many blind spots due to design, is comfy inside and kids love the DVD. Would I buy again? Never! Sticking to Chevys or Nissans, those have worked out way better for me!

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  Great comfort, reliability is a big sore :( - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Satish Mahankali - November 20 - 7:43 pm

  Really enjoyed my car for the first 4 months. After the first service, the Van would not start intermittently. Every morning is like tossing a coin if for start. I have taken this car 6 times to the Dealer in past 4 months and is there for most of the time. Every time the dealer says the problem is fixed, Id have the same problem in next 2 or 3 days. Dealership would not take responsibility and neither Chrysler would take responsibility. Chrysler would come back and say theyd take some action based on their discretion at some point in future. My Pacifica 2017 seems to be a good case for a LEMON. I am currently checking if I can invoke Lemon Law. Wish you good luck if you are deciding to buy this Mini-van.

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  A Must Avoid - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By JBG - November 17 - 10:50 am

  The Chrysler Concorde LXi is terrible. Fuel efficiency is about 21 highway and about 15 city, at best. I have taken the vehicle in several times for stalling out on the highway. I will be cruising down I-95 at about 55-60, the car shimeys and shakes then cuts off. A death trap situation. I have already spent thousands trying to remedy the problem. The electrical will dim upon occassion. The dealership I went to said electrical is not covered so beware of extra expenses to have rewiring done in the car. The alignment keeps going out because of a faulty component. Replaced it a few times but it usually breaks within a week or two of replacement.

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  Cute but uncomfortable - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By simon87 - November 11 - 7:38 am

  I bought this car because of its good looks both interior and exterior, great mileage, and it suited my needs. After driving it about a year and a half, I am ready for something new. It still runs great, however, it is so uncomfortable. My back gets sore after driving an hour or so, its incredibly hard to get in and out of and the road noise on the highway gets pretty annoying. Everything on it is very light and plasticy making it feel like you really are driving a Barbie car on the interstate. It just doesnt feel safe and the very low roof makes me clostrophobic.

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  First Lemon Ive ever had - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jeff K. - October 23 - 11:29 am

  The complete buying experience was awful. Problems right from the start between the transmission, front end, reversing, AWD. It was endless and the dealerships were not helpful in the least. Currently involved in Lemon law case with vehicle.

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  What have I done? - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sick to my stomach - October 17 - 11:33 pm

  I bought the Sebring about a month ago. I absolutely hate this car. It sounds terrible. Never know what noises Im going to hear each day. Kind of fun to drive but so noisy and uncomfortable its hard to get past anything else. Please ask if you can take car for a few days and drive before you buy to make sure its what you want. Wish I would have. Not fun just sick to my stomach that Im in this car for a long time. I wish I could hire someone to run it off of a cliff.

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  I hope nobody makes the mistake I did - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Teddy B - October 15 - 6:53 pm

  If there is anything I can do to convince you to not buy this car it would be worth it!! As a car I have to say its horrible. 16 MPG average (not city)!! It rumbles when you drive it. I wish i never bought it. You cant take it threw a carwash because of the top. You sit high compared to most cars, witch can be a good or bad thing. The car is slow and i am not exaderating about that, I got passed by a civic and I had it kicked to the floor. This car does not come with ABS atandard or Traction control, there is drumb breaks on the rear tires so when the raod is wet you have no traction and the car slides all over the place

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  not at all happy - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By unhappy dad - October 12 - 4:41 pm

  Bought the car for my wife and three kids . Over look of car great . Big issues hear AWD , car just shut off on a highway with my three kids in the car . And would not stay running for more than one minute . Dealer sent me over the edge. No help at all . This first and last Chrysler Ill ever buy . After talking to some other owners have had same problems . Upset in DAD PA

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  looks are deceiving - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By D - October 5 - 3:34 pm

  Nice looking car, but its only skin deep, interior is cheaply made, gas mileage is poor, lots of things missing that should be there like a glovebox light, ipod input, switches to shut of dome lights. The absolute worst car I ever bought. Tranny shifts hard, car starts roughly and stalls sometimes.

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  Original owner, and family car with low mileage. - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Michigan Zegota - September 24 - 10:31 pm

  Where it was manufactured, and that some parts will require metric tools. This model does hold up well in Northern environments and handle well in snow with appropriate tires, great A/C and heater. Mileage is above average for model and year, does not require no-lead gasoline, or special formula, if driven in Northern environment where salt is used on roads. You should look for signs of rust in rear wheel area, behind fender, undercarriage and frame holds up well, so does the 2.7 engine if properly maintained. Do not listen to complaints on this engine, however make sure you do check for any major repair work, I did have to replace the complete power steering unit, include the front right wheel assembly due to poor manufacturing. It is one of the reasons that I do ask you to check and make sure that the Sebring was made in America, and not Canada because of metric bolts...etc. I still have this car today after fourteen years, with sixty-seven thousands original miles, just replaced the rear struts last year 2016. Now experiencing the oil indicator warning light on, and staying on after warming up, heating indicator showing ok temperature, no leaks, and oil level is ok. Could be pump, however at this stage and year would not prefer to spend that amount of money for a pump, or repairs, guess will drive until tires fall off. I would not purchase this car new, is I had a chance, way too many issues from date of purchase, I even tried to pursue the lemon law in Michigan within the first two years. No one would listen...got me a brand new Buick 2014 now.