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:

• 

  It was nothing but trouble. - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By zion - August 14 - 6:04 pm

  My first Chrysler product - off-lease with only 20K miles! Overall we have enjoyed the car interior features, BUT: for the first two months I drove car only once - from a dealer, and the rest - car was in repairs battery died (less than 3 years old) could not move a shifter from parking position – little plastic part got broken (under- engineered) engine light and "gas cap" message came on - EVAP system problem /leak ABS light came on and stayed means ABS was disengaged - probably bad sensors two tires started slow leaking air and tire-shop mechanic pointed out on micro cracks (expensive Michelin tires!) I lost my feeling of safety customer service virtually not existed.

• 

  Dream used car is a Nightmare - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By unhappy in MT - August 14 - 2:16 pm

  Now has 59,000 miles. Loud clicking when turning to park and corners- mechanic cannot locate problem. Already fixed sway bar joints thinking that was the issue,nope noise still present. Interior leaking during heavy rains in 3 spots (front pass door jam, sunroof & along reading lights in front. 4 times this year that I have had get a jump start within hours of it being driven & they say the battery is good (March 08. Had to replace battery prev within 6 mths of owning. Within 1st 4 mths,driver window mechanism broke,window fell into door & had to drive to replace in 14 degree weather. Low tire light comes on for no reason. Depreciating at $500 a mth, so good luck trading in. DISAPPOINTMENT!

• 

  This car is destroying my savings!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pmgrun - August 9 - 12:41 am

  Purchased this car with 50k miles on it. Since purchase is has been to the dealer for a total of about 3 weeks. We had to rebuild the first motor, then replace it 6 months later. Had to replace the intake manifold, motor mounts 3 separate times. If it can break it will. It now sits in a parking lot awaiting a tow due to it stalling while idling through the lot. Cant get rid of this thing because its a chrysler and its worthless to the dealerships, 9k dollars upside down in the loan due to lousy blue book value.

• 

  Stay away from the car!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Klevrgirl - August 4 - 6:26 pm

  I have never written a review before, but am so upset with this car I chose to share with others so they can avoid the $ trap of owning this vehicle. First, the whole top end needed to be replaced after it started overheating repeatedly. Then the radiator hose kept dislodging due to 3 motor mounts which were broken. Then the air conditioning went out, and still isnt blowing correctly. Now?? It has the ABS sensors (all 4) being replaced, and I was told it may be more than that... Total cost?? with the extended drive train warranty?? Thousands... not to mention it is guaranteed to fail on you when you need it the most. Tow charges above and beyond AAA??--hundreds. I am stuck with a lemon.

• 

  Bad transmission - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By Read this! - July 24 - 9:30 am

  Transmission blew at only 79000 miles. We had xmission serviced at 48000. Engine has ping. Exhaust system has loud rattle they cant fix. Outside trim pealing back. Toher than these, we are satisfied with this vehicle. Oh, did fail to mention, I will never buy from Chrysler again!

• 

  1997 Chrysler LHS Review - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Tyler Fickert - July 19 - 10:32 pm

  I woke up one day with my car sitting in the driveway. It started 3 times then the battery cables were shot. It had power surges before I had it fixed. The motor is really good only because I can fix the car when it breaks. The A/C leaks on the floor of the interior. Thats because of a blocked vent. Easy fix. The heater doesnt work at all and costs too much to have fixed.

• 

  Please - where did you all get your PT? - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jo - July 16 - 4:33 pm

  I have had nothing but disappointment with my PT. Yes, it is cute and sporty, but the last 4 tanks of gas have gotten me 17.4, 17.3 16.4 and 16.4 miles to the gallon! I have called, had the car looked at with Chrysler giving me excuses about the engine is new, it needs to be broken in, you are not driving it right, you have to change how you drive...It is a 4-cyl car, I repeat 4-cyl car, and should be getting better mileage. I drive 50% city and 50 % highway. My parents 8 cyl Jaguar getting better mileage... The car is simply average but sells on emotion, sentimentality and looks. My only regret is that I may be waiting 1 year to trade it in for a better performing and economical car.

• 

  Wish I would have waited - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rushed Into It - July 14 - 7:42 pm

  Next month will be a year I have the car. Two weeks after I got it check engine light was on. I found out its the purge valve. Then to top it off everytime it raines I have a flood on the driver side floorboard front to back seat. It will cost me more to have them find out the problem because the dealership doesnt want to honor my warranty. Im trading it in as soon as possible. More trouble than its worth.

• 

  Poor Build Quality (Lots of repairs) - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Brent - July 10 - 7:34 pm

  Weve owned this vehicle for close to 4 years and have had many problems. Two ABS wheel sensors have gone bad & have been replaced ($150 ea). The EGR Valve went bad, but a $4 can of carburetor cleaner & a set of tools with 15 minutes under the hood fixed that problem. The EGR Valve would have cost about $250 at the dealer. Both rear windows needed the regulators replaced ($300 ea). The front left CV Joint needed to be replaced ($200). Most of the wheel bolts have broken off and needed replacement. Our gas mileage is poor 15 / 19 mpg. If this car was more reliable, we would really like it. It is great on long trips & has plenty of room. Now I wish Honda or Toyota had built our car!

• 

  BEWARE 2004 Pacificas - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave Blair - July 8 - 9:10 am

  I am reasonably satisfied with the ride and comfort of this car but it is in reality an overweight, underpowered car with poor rear visibility, mediocre mileage, and poor reliability (early production 2004 model). It has the ever recurring belt squeal/whine noted on other early 2004 Pacificas. Repeatedly taken in for service to fix and never is fixed. Chrysler has offered a courtesy trade back for the purchase price less mileage adjustment BUT I must buy another similar product (from the same maker of my "lemon") and swap the "refund" to be applied to a new car at full MSRP. What a crock. Sell me a lemon and REQUIRE me to buy another potential lemon at full sticker. Chrysler stinks.