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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  Beautifully Engineered - Not - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By fdknowlz - September 8 - 4:06 pm

  Have owned this for 2 years, love the car but have had problems with power drivers seat (motor replaced 2x- even now the plastic that goes aginst my calves is not properly installed - mildew odor when driver window opened - back 3 or so times - finally found clogged drain but smell continues - had problem with front end (think it was tie rod) but due to way car engineered needed to replace drive shaft (?) for $800.00 - of course not under warranty - replaced brakes - rusted and warped rotors - latch that allows entrance to the trunk storage and jack snapped - so I was unable to get access to jack - I knew about the blind spots but did not expect it to be so bad - bad wind noise

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  Nothing But Problems - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Frank - September 2 - 8:16 am

  My 2006 Pacifica has been nothing but problems. Warped rotors, transmission issues, high idle on three occassions, exterior windshield gasket falling off, body molding/trim on drivers side of vehicle pulling away from frame of car...and several other issues. The car has only 18,000 miles on it, but it seems that it has spent more time in the dealers garage than it has in my own. Ive never had a vehicle with so many issues, and Ive had 19 vehicles in 25 years. The dealer has been cooperative and accomodating on most issues, but weve had so many problems, the service manager knows us so well that no appointment is necessary. We just bring it in. Has been a very bad experience.

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  Chrysler 300 just quits at speed - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Leiah - August 25 - 12:34 pm

  I adored this car from the moment I bought it. Looks cool, comfortable, roomy, handles like a dream. Until 3 months ago. Now, I have a very expensive paperweight on my hands I dont even dare drive. The car loses power at speed, locking out all control, making me a ton rock in the middle of the road. It now sits at the dealership, where they say "their computer cant find a problem." This is the FIFTH time it has been into the shop for the same problem. Chryslers response when I contacted them? Tough luck, lady. Trade up to a new 300. Its paid for, so they arent making any money off it. After many, many years as a loyal Chrysler owner-NEVER AGAIN!! Toyota dealership, here I come!

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  Be Careful of The Convertible Top - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By PhillyPa - August 16 - 10:09 pm

  I have had this car for two months and 3000 miles. Its left me stranded twice so far. When putting the roof down, the trunk did not close (twice now). Roadside asst. will not tow it with the trunk open. You have to drive it very slowly back to te dealership with the truck open like a sail. Ive been waiting two weeks now for parts to have it fixed. I also have a 2001 Sebring with 122,000 mile and had no problems with it. Needless to say, this model is a huge let down so far. Hopefully, I wont be too far from home the next time it breaks.

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  Unhappy - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By unhappy - August 10 - 8:02 pm

  The car is a very nice car when it runs. When the car reached 30,000 miles it fell apart. 2 Coil packs ,4- o2 sensors,5 thermostats ,1 cat. all trans lines and 1 big headache! All this in 2 years. The car now has 69,000 miles on it and still overheating. Stay away from this car!

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  Problem - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mr. Upset - July 10 - 10:00 am

  My pacifica 2002 is NEW! Has less than 5,000 miles on it. The longer I drive it it automatically shuts down and wont start again until hours later. For Example, I pulled up (fortunately) in front of my house. The car literally died. Could not start it until the next morning. Something has got to be wrong with it mechanically built at the factory. How can I explain what is the matter? It seems the longer you drive it then it can simply stop on its own. Im afraid to drive it now for fear of an accident on a highway or local traffic. anyone else have that problem. How do I get it fixed?

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  Real Lemon - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By jim - May 31 - 9:32 am

  Great looking car, fun to drive when its not in the shop. Motor blew up with about eight thousand miles. It took an entire month to have the motor replaced. When we got the car back the new motor was missing an oil plug and had to go back to the shop again. The window motors have broken, a brake seal failed and leaked brake fluid all over the garage. Glad we werent driving when that happened.

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  many problems with my 02 PT - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Joe - May 30 - 5:20 pm

  The reliability of my pt cruiser is terrible. After the warranty ran out the dealer finally figured out what the problems were. I am putting $300 oxygen sensors in my car every 2 months. I will never buy another chrysler product. I would not take a free chrysler car.

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  Hate to Drive it in Heavy Rain - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mcnamara - May 22 - 1:56 pm

  Lots of blind spots. Water gets caught behind rear wheels when heavy rain is present . It has caused us to lose control of the car on I-95 more than once. It is quite frightening to be "out of control" on a road that doesnt have good drainage. I wish that I could terminate my lease because I dont feel safe in "Americas Safety Utility Vehicle"

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  hate it cant wait to get rid of it - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By cool man big car - May 16 - 2:00 am

  hate it the quality is bad im mean bad the part that holds up the trunk melted twice the paint used to be blue now it is black. hate it beware dont get it forget it was even made in fact all the chrysler are bad