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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  Good Styling Otherwise Disappointing - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By K. Bronstrup - March 4 - 12:51 pm

  We traded in a 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee on this vehicle. Gas mileage averages 21 MPH mostly open road driving (worse than our Jeep). Since we bought the car weve lost all the transmission fluid due to a 99 cent clamp coming loose. We were quoted over $175.00 to replace a simple plastic clamp that secures the transmission lines to the case. The power moon roof broke and it cost us $25 to get an estimate of $1,350 to repair it (we wont bother). Overall quality is quite poor compared to Toyota, Ford or Mercedes. Due to the ridiculous cost of repair and maintenance this will be our last Chrysler FOREVER. On a positive note we have always liked the styling of the 300M.

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  The Worse!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John - February 12 - 8:42 pm

  This is the worst vehicle I have ever purchased!! I would not buy another Chrysler product because of all the problems that I have had. The front suspension has been replaced 3 times and is in need of another replacement in which Chrylser refuses (Lemon Law). The PTO also has been replaced twice. STAY AWAY!

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  Water stains seats! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By psupanda - February 9 - 6:03 am

  Weirdest thing EVER. If a drop of water gets on the seats it leaves a watermark. Ive had my car for only a few months and the interior looks terrible. I tried to clean it, and that only made it worse. Wherever the cleaner went it left a watermark stain.

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  Read this before buying Chrysler - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Les Heinrich - February 6 - 10:39 am

  We purchased a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica and were happy until we had it washed. After washing we noticed that all chrome trim pieces were etched or corroded. We had less than 2000 miles and had the car only 7 weeks. We returned to the dealer and were told they would contact Chrysler. We have now had 3 conversations with Chrysler and they have basically said too bad that it is a normal condition in areas that use Mag Chloride on highways. I believe this is a defect in the fabricating process since we have had a 1999 T&C van for over 8 years and show no sign of this problem. This may be a problem in several northern tier states. Beware before buying Chrysler in snow areas. Very Disappointed

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  2.7 Ltr. problems - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By C. Renard - February 5 - 5:43 am

  Bought it used in a rush to replace our totaled truck. It looked great, rode great but was a wolf in sheeps clothing. What a mistake!!! 2 weeks after buying the car I found out about the 2.7 liter engine problems. I babied the car in hopes it would get us by until the insurance settlement was paid. No such luck- 8 months later the motor blew. I found out later this was actually the 2nd motor for this car and it had less than 50,000 miles on it. What a piece of junk.

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  We Wont Get Fooled Again - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Matt - January 31 - 1:03 am

  We loved this car when we first bought it, and thought that maybe the curse of the American made car was finally put to rest (remember the "K Car"?). However, within 3 years, it feels like weve replaced everything in it! Transmission, air conditioner compressor, power steering, ball joints - and those are off the top of my head. Of course, none of these were covered by the warranty due to the high amount of highway miles we put on it from my wifes work commute, which means Ive been basically making 2 car payments for the past 2 1/2 years. Regardless to say, were going back Honda or Toyota when I trade this in next month.

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  Can only Blame Myself - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Unpleased.... - January 25 - 8:56 am

  This is the first car that I got financed and in the spirit of wanted to trade this trash in I finally started reading reviews of other vehicles. I decided to see the reviews on the 2006 PT Cruiser that I currently own and must say AMEN to gas mileage being a joke and I never knew water could stain like coffee. I can only blame myself for not reading reviews before purchasing.

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  Lots of features but they are poorly executed - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Paul schultz - January 24 - 12:02 pm

  Traded our 2015 BMW 328d sport wagon in for this after we found out we were pregnant with second kid. Tons of features, too many to list, but theyou are more difficult to use than they should be. Too many simple operationsteps have been in bedded I to the infotainment screen. This wouldnt be a huge issues, exept that the computer is horribly underpowered and the response time is extremely slow. I have also noticed a few mechanical issues with the transmission. Doesnt seem to shift from park to drive or reverse very consistently. The van drives very smoothly but the seats (all of them) are not very comfortable. The van is extremely flexible though. Its very easy to load and unload kids, strollers, and carseats. Tons of space behind the 3Rd row and lots more with the 3Rd row down. Finally, weve made several good road trips and unless you go 60 mph the whole trip you wont get better than 24 mpg. (They advertise 28)

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  I should have known better... - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By TW - January 12 - 5:57 pm

  Ive been hesitant at buying a Chrysler ever since the transmission problems of the 80s. This car caught my eye and made me forget about the way Chrysler didnt stand behind their product in the past. My two 7 inch long cracks in the dash around the airbag knocked me back to reality. Chrysler doesnt care and says that its "environmental". Since I cant trade the car like this and it will cost over $1000 to fix it, this car has now become my official beater. Unfortunately, the internal dash lights are now starting to flicker and the transmission is sporadically jerking, so I dont think my beater is going to last much longer.

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  mounding problems - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By vegastyle - January 11 - 2:37 pm

  one month after purchasing the car - the gas pedal fell to the floor with no movement so i just sat there finally towed it was covered under warranty. computer malfunctions covered warranty. 63,000... 3000 passed the warranty transmission goes, two windows stop working then a short time later rack pinion needed replaced some other rod needed replacing... another short time later two rims needed replacing two fans went so car over heated...windshield cracked from having the heat on... battery connectors corroded.. alternator went... i used all 700 words allowed to complain about this car... every time i get into it i wonder what will be next... as soon as i can a new car is next.