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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  2004 Bad Engines Known - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By kslinca - September 20 - 3:51 pm

  It is known that this car has bad engines in that there is a problem with the oil valve system causing the engine to run out of oil without telling you there is a problem. therefore the engine blows up! (Im not a professional but if you do the research youll find what i did about this) BUT Chrysler Does Not Stand By Their Products....even tho this should be covered. Cost me $8,000.

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  I need to trade it - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By chocolategirl - September 19 - 7:24 pm

  I bought this car in 2006 after renting one and trading in a 2001 Ford minivan. I thought that this was gonna be a long lasting relationship with this car but I have already replaced both axles, and in 2008 I stayed at the shop with it. Now I took it back about a week ago to the dealership because I heard a humming sound and no air along with water hitting my left foot. As soon as I can I am done with Chrysler cars.

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  LEMON - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Robert Phillips - September 17 - 1:40 pm

  Purchased the Pacifica used with 5,900 miles on it. Nothing but trouble. We owned two 05s and they were good one great one fair. We liked the car. THEN the tyranny started bucking (Would not down shift when going up an incline, (Not fixed we were told this is a problem with the Pacifica. Motor mounts four sets in 20,000 miles. The dealer says this is normal and a better mount has not been designed because the Pacifica has been discontinued. Good luck when the warranty is up. The trim has (all but three pieces) has been replaced and is spotting again. The driver’s seat shreds the seat cushion when the seat motor is engaged, AWFUL NOW a noise is starting to come in the front suspension!

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  Pile of CRAP - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Pile of CRAP - September 17 - 1:31 pm

  I bought my 300M almost 2 years ago and have had NOTHING but PROBLEMS. After the first week, it started overheating, after that got fix the car would randomly just shut off while driving down the road. Youd have to pull over, shut the key off, and restart it, then it would just go like normal. That ended up being something with the idle..after THAT got fixed then my radio started blaring when you touch the volume button and you cant make it stop. Then all the lights inside start to flicker and wont stop until you shut the car off. Now, my transmission just went out. I will never ever buy a Chrysler again!!!

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  It Eats Oil - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dontbuy - September 11 - 8:44 pm

  Dont Buy! I bought this car w/ 27kmi & from beginning it consumed oil. They denied it was a problem for yrs. Had to change oil at 2500mi or it would run dry. Struggled w/ Chrysler to fix for years. Finally, at 80k, w/ a lot of screaming at manager. threats of attorneys, & 50 posts printed out of others w/ same problem, they looked into it further. Consumed 3/4 quart oil every 500mi after the first 1000mi. Finally they replaced engine. Mechanic said it was written all over engine. 3 broken motor mounts, exhaust leak, computer malfunction all not covered under top Chrysler extended warranty. $500 each repair. At least warranty paid for engine. Just dumped the car for a more reliable Toyota.

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  Should of done the research first! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By billfari69 - September 10 - 10:06 pm

  We bought our Pacifica used in 06 with 28000 miles on it. Too good to be true.At 34050 miles The oil was completely gone, and there was one oil change done between that time. Good thing we bought the extended warranty. WRONG! Chrysler claimed it was our fault for not checking oil every time we bought gas. After months of fighting with Chrysler we had to give in and purchase a new used engine for $5500. We are now stuck with this car, we are so upside down its ridiculous. Do yourself a favor and upgrade now before its too late.

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  Almost put me into pre-term labor - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jill - August 30 - 3:42 pm

  Bought this vehicle in November of 05 with 35k miles. I had it about 2 months when the blower became very loud and annoying. In October of 07, the transmission control module went out, costing about $200. I read some reviews at that point and debated selling it. Since it was paid off I decided to keep it. In March of 08, at 77k, the car died. 4 weeks and $4,400 later, I got my car back after the computer and entire engine had been replaced. Apparently the car has problems with oil sludge, although I had kept up on all routine maintenance. Worst month of my life, all while expecting my first child. I will NEVER EVER buy a Chrysler again. Dont buy this car!

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  Dont Buy It!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Badchkam - August 25 - 11:41 pm

  If you dont mind the possibility of engine problems then I guess this car is ok, but any Mfg that thinks it is ok for the engine to burn a quart of oil every 1000 miles is out of their mind! I dont like the idea of buying a new engine that we are now faced with since the low oil censor light also failed to work!

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  Always Problems - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By 99300M - August 23 - 6:02 pm

  I have had the car for 10 years and although I only have 65,000 miles, I wish I could find a way to get rid of it. This has been one of the best performing cars I have owned but there is always something wrong with it. About 4 years my A/C went and the cost is approximate $2,000 which is what the car is worth. Most of the interior lights dont work, head light switch need to be changed annually, window motors, transmission sensors and the list goes on. Car is only good for the 4 miles I drive daily to the train station.

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  Piece of Junk - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Nate - August 22 - 5:29 am

  Bought my 300M in Jan 07 with 54K. Has 93K on it now. Although this car is powerful, comfortable,it is te most unreliable car I have ever owned: Ignition problems, check engine light, $1,200 GAS LINE REPAIR, blinkers stopped working, power seat died, power windows dont work. Its embarrassing to have people in this car cause they cant put down the window. Dont judge a carby its looks, Chrysler builds garbage and its no surprise they are in financial turmoil! I researched this car or 4 months before purchased and all reviews are "great". This is the honest truth about this vehicle- dont buy one. And I bought the 80,00 warranty.