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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  Problems in the first week - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Patrick - April 29 - 8:56 am

  So, we were super excited about this car (or as excited as one can get about a minivan), and as other people mentioned, it shows really well and has some great features, but 1 week in (thats right, just 1 week) weve already having issues. Picked up the car on Monday; Tuesday it was in the service shop because the TVs didnt work; Wednesday/Thursday was happy with the car; Friday Im making another service appointment because the rear/trunk liftgate no longer functions. Rating as 3 stars (for now), but anymore issues and Ill lower it to 2 or 1 star. Trying to be patient - but well see how long that lasts.

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  a bit annoyed - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By angelasoup - April 24 - 8:13 pm

  Alright so I have read numerous reviews on here and I am here to report ive had almost every problem on the list. The door dinging noise while the vehicle is in motion and the lights flash. The car alarm going off randomly. To fix that I had to alter the speed of my blinkers. The car takes in water underneath the floor when it rains. The transmission fluid suddenly started leaking out of nowhere and my tranny started acting up yesterday. Hope to god i can fix that! Everything falls out of the cup holders and onto the floor. The dome lights never come on when the door is opened. The trunk will stay open on its own for 30 seconds then fall on my head. The inside is uncomfortable and boring

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  I donÂ’t feel safe in a Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Elmodorph - April 19 - 12:30 pm

  The I almost died partÂ…. after driving 70 miles I got off the freeway and stopped at a stop sign when I went to go the car went and stalled in the middle of two lanes of a four lane state higway. I had two trucks lock up their brakes and I saw my life flash before me. Luckily they did not hit me and they just had selective hand signals for me. At first I though that perhaps it was my mistake. About 20 min later it did the exact same thing I stopped at a stop sign started to go and the vehicle stalled. I drove the car for another 130 miles and it did not occur again. The engine light did not come either time.

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  this car is junk - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By michael bratcher - April 16 - 8:46 pm

  when we purchased this vehicle,we were hoping for it to be the last one for a long time.Know we are falling back into the same situation again.The car has been nothing but trouble,we had to have the front tierods replaced at only 36000 miles,and it has been burning a half a quart of oil between oil changes and know the egr valve is going out with only 46000 miles on it.I dont know if there is anything that can be done about this but I would really like to know.

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  Biggest waste of money ever. DONT BUY - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Brandi - April 15 - 5:38 pm

  I bought my car brand new on Jan 2008. The problems began not even one month later when it started stalling on me. 18 months later and many trips to the dealership(along with recalls) the problem still isnt fixed. Research online about this car and recalls and if you are one of the unlucky ones that have this car, beware- it can stall at any moment causing an accident out of no where. Thankfully mine has only done it while I was either stopped at a light or parked. Also, press brake hard- if it starts to freak out-it will jump forward and possibly rear end someone.

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  Pretty to look at, expensive to repair - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By 5shumates - April 13 - 10:47 am

  I bought my AWD Touring Pacifica in February 2006. The AWD system had to be replaced after only 13 months. The transmission had to have major repairs at 15 months. Also had a throttle sensor replaced at 15 months. This repair work was done under warranty, so it didnt cost me anything (thank goodness!). Replaced rack and pinion steering system at 45,000 miles. This was $1200 repair on a 2 year old car. Have also replaced the headlight lamps 2 times each. This is the first and last Chrysler product that will be purchased by me.

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  I Will Never Buy Chrysler Again! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By shannon - March 31 - 12:04 pm

  I used to love my pacifica until this last Nov. 08. The motor mounts were cracked and Chrysler was unable to provide new parts(which I would gladly pay for) to fix my car. I searched everywhere and was unable to find the parts. My Pacifica sat in my driveway for 5 months undriveable! Chrysler denied my repeated request for a rental car replacement. I called Chrysler customer service every week for updates as to when the part would be available. First I was told the part would be available in March of 09, then Feb., then March again, then April. I finally found a mechanic who got the part for me in mexico. I was told there are 2000 other Pacifica owners going through the same ordeal.

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  limited convertible - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By frederick - March 21 - 12:48 am

  i am over 6ft tall try to find a convertible that you can stretch out in and be comfortable at my height i previously owned 2 passats and there is a huge quality of interior ,sheet metal,and paint difference, but having said that it is very appealing to look at and gets great reviewns from passengers and onlookers,just dont look for a tight german ride.the car does everything well enough and the top comes down,nothing better on a summer day

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  Problems Problems - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Sameer Sinha - March 13 - 10:06 am

  I bought this car as second owner with 32,000 miles 8yr/80000 Pt warranty and 3 month 3000 bumber to bumber. I have visor clips break, Trunk release break, Lighter switch break. Suspension is noisy with loud Thuds, Brake is noisy with sqeeks, underbody rattle, steering hardens in clod temperature, Cruise control failure, steering system wearing and all this in 13 months or by 65000 miles. The car is too low to bump the speed bumps in shopping mall parking lots. Speakers are poor quality with sound distortion at 40% volume. REar wheel is terrible to handle in winter with snow, my first and last experience.

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  Unreliable - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By patelk - March 12 - 7:09 pm

  My car has only 5,000 miles and I have taken it back for repairs 5 times. It occassionally stalls when I put it in drive. The battery died twice, and the stereo shuts off and turns back on by itself. The dealer said there is nothing wrong with it.