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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  wow a new corvair ?? - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dick t - July 20 - 1:40 pm

  do not try to put chains on this---will hydro plane too easy with these tires--cant change tire size--no clarince beware this can kill!!!!!! blind spot to rear left & right 22 mpg at60 mph 18.5 city.needs lots of room to turn. no lock abillity 4 small stuff

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  Wouldnt buy another PT - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shelly - July 20 - 1:00 am

  I bought my PT brand new, have had it in the shop for the A/C 4 times, took it in saying the car feels like it runs rough & they said its fine. My extended warranty of course is over and the motor blew! This is the most unreliable car I have ever had. The customer service stinks with Chrysler. I wish I could get out of the car, but resale on these is so low Im stuck with it.

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  Reliability not in Chrysler Dictionary - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By JETPILOT - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I guess Im just repeating the other unsatisfied drivers. A lot of A/C trouble,Waterpump failed a couple times,and now the second transmission has to go in.Its time that Chrysler takes an example at the Japanese! With this worthless reliability level,it is no surprise their business is going down.Maybe the flaws in the design are not a coincidence at all ! Maybe their engineers need to go take some classes in Tokyo ! All together,it is hard to believe that we can build a space shuttle , but not a reliable car.

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  Stay away from this car!!! - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By kitty - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Overall terrible car...transmission went out twice..once at 47,000 and then again at 83,000. Compressor went out three times! Also, rack and pinion out at 92,000 and a constant leaking of various locations. Yes, the ride is good and the sound system is good but not much of a consulation in hot weather when you are broken down with tranny problems or a broken compressor. Chrysler dealerships are way over priced for the most part (except most Florida dealers) in Georgia.

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  Piece of Crap - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Disgruntled - June 26 - 2:00 am

  Never buy based upon "Car of The Year". This vehicle has been a huge disappointment,from a bad radiator at 40K (approx) a broken control arm bracket at 30K leaking freeze plugs at 60K car dies at idle and trys to at highway speeds (dealer twice has not been able to determine the cause), clunking noises in the front left suspension and in the right rear that no one has been able to fix, radio display that quit when new and now the replacement no longer works an airconditioner unit that had a kinked metal tube that would not allow it to cool below 80, door panels where the paint scratches off around the hand rest...

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  Dont Buy One - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By Ruger - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle bought with 50,000 miles w\extended warranty for up to 75,000 miles. Transmission crapped out at 82,000 miles. Cost of repairs $3100.00, fixed on 4-01. Theres more! One year later $2200.00 more spent on water pump, timing belt & ac repairs. Is this insane or what!! To have to spend over $5300.00 in a years time for repairs is pretty pathetic. I will never buy a Chrysler product again!!!

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  Truly a lemon - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By white karen - June 14 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a nightmare since I purchased it from a lease buyback. Low miles was should have assured me miles of driving before repairs. Off the top of my head I can remember a new air conditioning still under warranty. NOT UNDER WARRANTY a second air conditioning, new transmission at 43,000 miles, new track system at 30,000, new brakes at 50,000, new plugs and wires at 54,000, new water pump, timing belt,etc, at 56,000---I could go on but my check engine light has now come on and I am getting rid of this nightmare. Wish me luck

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  please help - 2017 Chrysler 300
  By Al Simendinger - June 13 - 10:40 am

  I have owned a few Chryslers but this 2017 is the worst, I had problems from the start-------transmission,radio,g.p.s. I had service done and they said it was o.k. but it wasnt. do they ever field test it ??????. I am bringing it back again

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  I hate this car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By faithygirl - June 6 - 9:50 am

  I bought this car and the next day had to take it back because of it shaking. Fast forward to two years later we have had new bushings, new engine, new axle, and much much more work done to it. It still shakes in third gear they cant seem to fix it and it is not a normal shake the original dealer that we bought it from has finally said it is normal and wont have anymore to do with it. We have bought two other cars just so we dont have to drive this one anymore This is by far the worse car i have ever driven.

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  Worst Car to Own - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By BNCNTR - June 4 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a problem since day one. 3 of 4 windows motors replaced. Heated seats twice. Headlights flicker and Chrysler cant fix. Transmission sensors just went out. I would have to say this is the worst car to own. I am getting rid of this thing even if I have to take a loss. This is the first and only time I buy a Chrysler product.