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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  Seats as hard as rocks - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Roter - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The seat in the standard PT Cruiser are the most uncomfortable thing you could sit on. I have driven my cruiser 100K miles and look forward to getting a soft riding Buick.

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  Engine Gone - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bryans Road - October 21 - 10:57 am

  I have had some many problems with my pacific. It started over heating in June 2009 and now Im in the process of purchasing a new engine. It stopped on the highway and I had to have it towed to a repair shop. $4500.00 for new engine. With a 72 month loan, I owe $4800.00. Add $4500.00 to it. Im convinced that Chrysler was aware of the problems and high maintenance. Oh, thats way its no longer in production. Hum!

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  Nice Car Poor Reliability - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By Ken - October 20 - 12:47 pm

  I purchased the Aspen HEV in Feb. 2009. I love the car as far as looks and comfort. I meet all my needs. But since I purchased the car it has been in the repair shop 5 times. for a total of 37 days down time. Part of the problem is only quailified trained mechanics can work on the car. My dealership has one, so if it is his day off we are out of luck. We have had trouble with check engine light, transfer case, leaking sunroof, computer control module, catalic conveter,paint peeling and now it has been in the shop for 12 days and I still dont have it, because it needs a starter battery. The battery has been on back order since October 12, 2009. I love this car, but it is a lemon

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  Its awesome but not that awesome - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Java-Dprix - October 16 - 1:41 am

  This car looks classy and powerful, but it isnt as my expect. I have had some American models but through this Chrysler 200 LX 2.4L is just a low type of vehicle I ever had. I do like the interior, lights systems, and instrumentals. However, the engine handles not really good on the highway especially on the high speed (70mph+). I thought it is heavy type of sedan it should of handle pretty good, but nope it cant even beat 2.0L Ford Focus SE. Well, it is Ford so it might sound worse about how the appearance looks, but Ford now is a lot better and changed to the way the world supposed to. This 200 does give a hesitate during idling basically on the service road speeds, while you are stuck in the traffic, then when you try to idling to maintain speed, its just immediately, woof out of no where that almost hit the car in front of it. Overall, I dont really like the car that much.

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  Stuck with this for a few months - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By Fred Theoalagan - October 13 - 3:36 pm

  Have a Chrysler 200 that was rented for me for a few months. Had it one week and already hate it. Transmission is annoying. Feels like something is wrong with car but apparently there isnt, was just told thats what the car does. They have a fleet and they all do the same thing, I was told. It makes it feel like I am constantly making small acceleration/deceleration changes but I am not. Very uncomfortable when driven more than a few miles. Rides is bad but cant tell if its the transmission or suspension. Layout of and type of controls is nothing short of goofy. The shift control is a knob right near all the radio knob controls, making it easy to reach for the wrong one. Plus counterintuitive controls so it is uncomfortable to use. Emergency Brake is electric. Seems entire car is dependent on a computer for all controls so, nothing manual. Hate to know what would happen if the cars decided to accelerate on its own. There would be no manual control to intervene. If you are six feet or taller your head will rub against the ceiling in the back seat. Does look nice though...

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  PT PROBLEMS - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cindy - October 9 - 4:13 am

  Bought 2001 PT Cruiser in 2003 with 34,000 miles on it. At 86,000 overheating caused head gasket to blow. Went ahead and replaced water pump, oil pump, timing belt, all accessory belts while engine was torn down hoping to save some labor later on down the road. Cost to repair 1,792. 2 yrs. later started to lose oil.The bracket that holds water pump in place broke and moved forward into oil pump and timing mechanism. Had to replace water pump, oil pump, head gasket, timing belt, accessory belts etc AGAIN. $2,200 for repairs. 13 months later overheating AGAIN. Needs cooling fan. Cost $720. Sunroof motor $750. Rim corrosion. Cheapest found 350.00. REPAIR HOG!

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  Looks good but - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By davfit - October 5 - 2:39 pm

  What can I say about this Car liked its Looks, Drives good,but has to many Design flaws...... Exterior well look at top of door frames ,odd looking should have been higher, glass taller fake window addition on rear panel,???? Interior :Plastic sandpaper panels or Interior by biglots good layout Cheap Materials No GRAY INTERIORS BORING ...DATED .... The Sonota is such a better choice

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  very dissaified owner of a 300 limited - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By joe - October 2 - 5:37 pm

  i bought my 300 limited new 2005 first problem the left back and quarter panel primer was showing through the paint took car back to dealer car was repaired. At 49000 miles car would smoke out the exhaust when started after setting over night using almost 2 quarts of oil in 2000 miles seals around valve stems were shot 1500 dollar repair bill. I have traded this vehicle no more chrysler card or truck in this household.

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  Huge Mistake Buying Chrysler 300M!!!! - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By ChryslerJunk - September 28 - 11:44 pm

  I was stupid enough to go from owning a reliable, quality built Honda Accord to purchasing a Chrysler 300M in late 1999. Big mistake. I was suckered into believing in American made and falling for the cool exterior design...what was underneath was pure junk. I cant tell you the amount of money, worry, disappointment, and absolute frustration this vehicle has brought me. I remember bringing it home thinking I would baby it and have it for years...imagining it could be considered a classic some day...what a naive notion that was. Its a Chrysler stupid!!!! USA Auto Execs dismissed Dr. Deming who wanted to teach them about Total Quality Systems. So he went to Japan where they listened.

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  Chrysler Hurts - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By IDK - September 22 - 5:54 pm

  I bought my car new replaced brakes twice rotors once. I agree with the person that said maybe the brakes are not strong enough for this car. I now seem to have an electrical problem. Airbag light comes on when it wants, windows work when they want car just lost power on an exit ramp. From what I seen on this site dealerships can not figure it out. I Bought this car new so I would not have to deal with a care breaking down, because I thought it would be better to make payments on a new car instead of constantly repair an old one. My bad (I was wrong).