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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  Bad Transmission or Wind Noise - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Addison - December 27 - 2:00 am

  I must have bought the runt of the litter. From the day I bought the car there were several things that had to be fixed, incorrect bezel on the gear shift (mine has the autostick but the bezel was for the regular transmission), drivers power window motor needed replaced, drivers seat loose, and heated seats did not function. Took it on a trip to New Orleans from Indiana the first month and noticed a noise at 70mph. After several times in service, including a three week transmission re-build they determined that it was not the transmission but wind noise and could not fix the problem.

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  ABS a problem - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By South Dakota Owner - December 1 - 8:52 pm

  I also am having problems with the ABS brake system. The car only has 38,000 miles and the ABS brake system is failing. Ive already had worn out tire rods replaced and the electronic drivers side seat failed. I am regretting purchasing this car. It is too new to be having these problems.

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  New car owner NOT happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By James Morrow - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my car in at least 6 different times for repairs. Three on the same matter I feel since Im a women bringing the car in they dont listen as well, my husband will be dealing with Quinn Chrysler in the future.

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  Crapshoot - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By sparty - November 7 - 4:50 pm

  This car is very comfortable, and fun to drive. However it has been more and more unreliable as the days go by. I have had to replace two window motors, the oil pan (leaky), and the speedometer sensor within the last six months. It has gone from a cheap, fun car to a money pit. The rubber around the headlights is falling apart, and the hood trim came flying off a few weeks ago. I am going back to Hondas/Toyotas before the snow flies, because I am scared of being stranded by the side of the road in mid-winter.

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  No More Sebring - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Goldie - November 5 - 12:23 pm

  I would have to agree with some of the reviews earlier. About a month after purchasing my Sebring I noticed black glue type stuff on side panels of the doors. Ive taken it to the dealer on numerous occasions. The sad part is that they are unable to tell me what’s causing the problem. Since then every year I’ve been out of $100 or more on the following: catalyst converter, serpentine belts and currently it’s in the shop for a transmission repair. I find the car difficult in steering, very small cup holder and loud road noise. The tires on my car 17” quite expensive and only a few stores carry that particular size.

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  Please do not buy this car! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Mnshine77 - November 1 - 2:33 pm

  This car has given my husband and I the biggest headache of our lives for two years. It is now sitting in our driveway, not running and we are trying to sell it as is and telling them they have to tow it away, because I refuse to put another penny into it! Timing chain has gone twice, air conditioning has been fixed numerous times and still doesnt work, trunk wont stay up, driver window wont go down, replaced battery numerous times, dash cluster replaced, starter replaced, car takes forever to start when you turn the key, seals around windows, paint chipping, etc. So many other things I cant recall because they have all run together! Wish I could drive this car into the lake.

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  2017, and still cant build a car - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By Susan - October 31 - 6:37 am

  If your buying a 300 for the looks then go ahead, otherwise Id think twice about it. I bought my 300 new. 2015. Currently has 8000 miles on it. Ive had in the shop three times within past 2 months. Transmission continues to slip, jer king hard going into second and third gear. Dealership says it needed a software update. Two updates later its still jerking. Then, yesterday I over fill my gas tank, some how, some way the gas then flows out from under my car. I love my car otherwise but its beyond ridiculous to spend this amount of money on a new vehicle to have these issues.

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  Steer Clear of Chrysler PT Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By JenniferDenise - October 31 - 6:33 am

  Ive had nothing but problems with this car since I purchased it. I barely get 16 mpg when I should be getting over 20. The car stalls when the air conditioner runs. It wont shift going up hills and has a lot of trouble taking off. The check engine light flashes during every up-hill battle. Ive replaced the brakes, rotors and spark plugs twice. I was told it needed a tune up which was done but the problems came back a few months later. Ive now been told that it needs another tune-up. I paid 10,000 on the car and Ive now paid over 4,000 in two years on "maintenance". My powertrain warranty hasnt covered the cost of any repairs to the engine or transmission. Ill never buy Chrysler again

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  Rental - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Darda - October 15 - 9:36 pm

  Currently driving this car as a rental and day 1 I cant wait to get rid of it... Very noisy, transmission is horrible, its all over the place, ride is ok, Layout of controls are horrible.. hate the turn knob for transmission, what a joke and very easy to make a mistake, seats are pretty comfortable, breaking is horrible, but could just be the rental. I have a 2016 Kia Sorento and cant wait to get it back because it puts this chrysler to shame.

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  Reliable but has problems - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Thirtysomething - September 24 - 9:11 am

  I purchased this car from Enterprise Car Rental Company in Plano Texas when is was still considered a new car. It has been reliable, but noisy. Sounds like a helicopter flying over my head constantly. I am hard of hearing and wear a hearing aid. When I am driving this car on the interstate it is hard for me to hear on my cell phone because of the noise. The a/c condenser is creating too much water, it is leaking into the passenger side of my car and it drips onto the serpentine belt and squeals. The fuel econ sucks and very little power. I also own a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am, it is more powerful and gets better gas mileage. Plus, it was a pain to replace driver headlight bulb It went out twice!