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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  Buyer Beware - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By triplefire - March 2 - 12:35 am

  Bought this car confidently after reading so many positive reviews. Purchased Certified used from Chrysler with 38400 miles. Love the styling and handling, especially the two tone interior. However, within 2 days, I noticed a VERY annoying rattling coming from the panel behind the seats/ tonneau cover. Within one week the GPS Navigation stopped functioning. Within a week and a half, I found oil leaking from the rear of the car and the lights are dimming and getting brighter while idling. I thought this was supposed to be a CERTIFIED vehicle! Dont be fooled by Chryslers so-called Certified Used program...

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  Beware - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mickey - March 1 - 6:51 pm

  When the Pacifica first came out, we did buy one and ended up having the dealership buy it back because of a large amout of trouble with it... In 07 we purchased a Pacifica Limited all wheel drive....And well needless to say, here we go again...I will sell this thing after i get it fixed, and then I am done with Chrysler! Its a very pretty car, lots of room, but a cant trust it...

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  Dont bother - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Liz - February 21 - 3:11 pm

  Transmission leaks, has sudden stop syndrome which has happened to me on the highway and city. Gets worse when it snows or rains. Not worth the trouble

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  Stay away from Chrysler! - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By tennis1 - February 14 - 3:56 pm

  Bought new in Nov 01. Have had nothing but trouble. In dealer shop for computer chip (dashboard went blank while driving at night) stabilizer bar defective, front end vibration problems (chewed up 2 sets of front tires (plus original) in only 67000 miles) Had 6 alignments during time so it was not out of alignment or tire pressure or shocks, driver window motor broke, roof rack recalled, plastic bumper strip on tailgate flew off car while driving(ice buildup under cheap plastic peg-like fasteners) . My latest problem is power steering hoses blew out.Chrysler has "update" on the hose but of course, it is not a recall.

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  some real problems - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Richard - February 5 - 3:13 am

  Beautiful to look at Hardtop has operated a-ok although it is in the garage having up dates done to top right now Ride is good on smooth hardtop roads but rattles and bangs like a piece of junk when the road gets rough. Gas milage gets whats advertised Dealer service is very expensive 10 bucks for a spark plug is kinda steep.Good fit and finish I love the electronic transmission

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  the overheating PT CRUISER - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PAUL WILLIAMS` - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 2008 pt cruiser what a nightmare, bushings go every single year they went 3 times in 2 years. Also overheats when in idle a lot the dealership tells me its the engine cooling fan module thank god I bought the extended warranty on it. The module cost over 400 dollars plus labor. Not my favorite car but it heats well in the winter. Gas mileage is very poor for some reason its only a 4 cylinder car it shouldnt be that poor at all.

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  Tbear review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By tbear - January 21 - 2:00 am

  The gas mileage is very much less than the stated amount on the sticker. Various features dont always work, maybe 50% of the time, (auto lights off and on. garage door opener feature etc) the brakes squeek.

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  Big Mistake - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joe Smith - January 15 - 6:27 pm

  I bought this car against my better judgment. I did some research, and found most of the reviews to be negative. Ive had to replace the blower module, both headlamps. The heater controls never seem to work right. It burns a quart of oil in between oil changes,and the front end makes all kinds of noises when turning. By far the worst car Ive ever owned.

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  1 year update: More problems with technology - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jim - January 6 - 9:11 pm

  Bought the car on June 25. 2016 It was In the CJ dealership for 6 days trying to get the "free" Unconnect Access to work. ( U Couldnt connect to register) Chrysler Corp HQ finally helped by getting Uconnect service people in contact with me. Why the dealer couldnt fix it was baffling. Update: 7/25/2017. Two long trips, good mileage on the highway (over 28-29 mpg) smooth ride although transmission has started slipping or clunking on a quick start. Seems to have trouble finding the right gear. Front fascia keeps slipping out of position on right front and the back up camera features are off. Camera shows a picture, but Yellow lines showing where you are going are gone as well as the warning beeper when you approach something in your way. Went through the instruction in the owners manual and selected the proper boxes to check. Took it to an out of town dealer while travelling and they couldnt fix the missing features. Cell phones just stopped system pairing. Oil changes cost a lot! Synthetic spec and an extra filter. Dealer says change every 6K. Why synthetic oil then?

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  Watch Out - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By 300m - January 1 - 1:16 pm

  The 300 is a very pretty car to look at but, if you want a car that will stand up in performance and, reliabilty I wouldnt advise you to get a 300. Ive had my car almost two years, I get my regular services however my car sounds and performs terrible. The transmission do not change smoothly and, its extremly loud. My tire went flat and, I was told I have a slow leak in the rim that cant be fixed which mean I have to buy a new rim at $400. If you have a choice please do not get a 300.