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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  Poor design poor quality. - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Extremely Unreliabe - September 11 - 11:06 am

  Water pump is driven by a timing chain that is inside engine on 2.7 engines. My original pump failed at 61,800 miles flooding engine with antifreeze. Water pump casting number is 0466373611797B followed by Chrysler STAR SYMBOL. Now Im having to pay $5000 for an engine rebuild. Chrysler refuses to own any part of the problem has been happening since 1999. Before purchasing a Chrysler 2.7 please check out the horror stories on the intranet. Old sales pitch was dont buy no ugly truck. Buyers beware.

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  Tranny Problems x4 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By JIm - September 3 - 8:54 am

  Since owning my 2006 300C AWD, I have had it to the dealers 4 times for a shifting problem with the tranny. I can be driving along and with no warning whatsoever, the car acts as if it was put into neutral, engine is running strong, but it wont go anywhere. The dealer(s) (and Tech Support) seem to be having difficulties finding the problem. Im afraid to take long drives, just in case it happens again. This makes the car not dependable or reliable at all ! Too bad because I really like it otherwise.

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  my experience with a 300 bought in 2004 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By robert p bunting - August 24 - 7:16 pm

  I have had problems with the a/c causing condensation on the front windows under normal operation since I bought it - this is a visual safety HAZARD and I was told it is normal function - not true!! it is a HAZARD, also rear windows dont work properly - dont go down, car leads to the right (in shop for 6th time to repair)I was told that it leads to the right as a safety feature in case you fall asleep at the wheel - obsurd!! this is also WEARING OUT MY TIRES IRREGULARLY, outside temperature led readout in dash sticks at dif temps at times on same temp reading?? the front carpet was cut too short - replaced in 2004, the rear speakers rattled - fixed in 2004

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  Poor product - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By PHILLEE - August 9 - 3:56 pm

  This car presently has 61,000 miles. We bought it new and have had two radiators replaced due to leaking. Have had two transmission sensors go bad, both outer tie rod ends had to be replaced, the rusted hood had to be replaced and the blower motor resistor had to be replaced. Need I say more? You can see why my Dodge intrepid got traded in for a Honda Accord, which by the way has not had any breakdowns in four years and 52,000 miles. I have owned Chrysler for the last 36 years but this one will be my last one.

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  My Sebring Experience... - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joshua - July 21 - 12:47 pm

  I got this car for my 16th birthday, it was pretty cheap and looked ok, i took it to the shop for the mechanic to check it out and it was ok. Then I learned that it leaks, A LOT when there are hard rains. It soaks into the floor board and starts smelling god awful. Also this shorted out my passenger side speaker. I drives ok. But now Im 18 and look for something that will not shake when I start it. I would seriously think before buying another convertible.

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  Buyer beware!!! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Arnis Pocs - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I actually have an older model and it blows. Once it hit the 36,000 mile mark it fell apart. Ive had two transmisions in 1 and 1/2 years put in. Everything theyve fixed has to get redone within 13 months. 2 transmisions, 3 CV jonts, 4 batteries, 3 lateral arms,5 cd players, the front and rear brakes were done and both had to be replaced in 10 months. I tried to contact Chrysler and they tell me I should have had the work done at a dealer. I DID!!! They will not stand behind their work. Ive talked to a few mechanics and other Sebring owners and aparently the transmision is a common problem with this car. Ill never buy a Chrysler again.

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  Speed sensors - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Leah - July 19 - 3:53 pm

  The car is decent. Nice style and plenty of room for a family, but I must have a lemon. I have had my ABS sensors in all four wheels replaced 2 times and my axle has broken twice, for no reason, just city driving, to the grocery store and mall. The first time I had the problem with the ABS sensors the car was only a few months old and its happened every year. Now I am working on the 3rd time I must have these sensors changed and they have no clue why I keep having this problem. Of course, now the car no longer has a warranty and I have to pay for it. DESPITE the fact that the same work has been done 2 other times. Just beware and be cautious.

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  Beware! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Never Again!! - June 27 - 11:12 am

  I loved this car when I saw it. It has great features BUT 2 days after purchase I had a U-Connect problem, it has been serviced 5 times and in the shop 12 out of the 30 days that I have had it so far. I wish I had read these reviews because no one is lying here. They really need to start over with this car. Technical support is no support, no one seems to know the resolution. This was my first convertible and now the excitement is gone. I am stuck with a lemon I do believe. After reading the other reviews I guess I will have many more additional problems. Thats just great!

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  Would Have Not Purchased This Vehcile - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Charleston,SC - June 23 - 10:26 am

  The visibility on this car is terrible. Two of the ABS sensors went on it within 2 months of owning it. Anything you get on the seat stains because of the material. You cannot just steam clean it yourself. It stains worse. When stepping on the gas (at times) the RPM goes up to 4 and the car hesitates too much. I heard this is due to the new engines that have been put into these models.

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  Just not for me? - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By ashley - June 17 - 12:33 am

  I have had my Concord for almost a yr now. My dad bought it for me it hopes it would be a good school car. The first night I had it, it had an oil leak my dad easily fixed it. I like it but its not the greatest on gas. And its a little big for me. Other wise great car. I just need something more fuel economy because I will be driving a lot because of college.