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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  So many bad things..... - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By jdvdsn13 - July 29 - 11:53 am

  Okay, so we bought the car back in 2005 when it had just over 100,000 miles on it. I just inherited the car, but I wish I had inherited something else. It now has 166,000 miles on it. Positives: pretty fast car for a V6, nice sound system, great handling Problems with the car: the interior driver door panel has come loose, guzzles oil, ac went out and is not repairable, passenger and back seat power window switches do not work, power locking and unlocking system does not work, starter just went out, interior overhead light does not work, had to get three new power window motors installed, and because of old age, the clear coat is peeling off the top of the trunk and the roof (normal).

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  dad always said "dont by a Chyrsler" - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By allysam - June 11 - 9:07 am

  Bought this car in 2010 used with under 40K miles (Ive had it for 3 years). Already had to replace the breaks 3 times (also, they give off a TON of break dust) . Shifter got stuck in park dealer told me it WASNT the recall. Check engine light has come on for several things including O2 sensor and cylinder misfire. The recirculate door for the AC flaps for 60 sec upon hitting the button. Just recently encountered "rumbles in idle, drops below 500 RPM" problem required wiring to the O2 sensor to be replaced. Trunk latch is faulty and will sometimes pop open when going over railroad tracks or speed bumps. Sometimes radio panel doesnt come on have to hit it. Dont buy it. Dont.

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  Bad Value - Run from this car - 2013 Chrysler 200
  By hatemy200 - April 15 - 2:15 am

  Purchased 2013 Chysler 200 convertible from Mrytle Beach Chyrsler Jeep. With purchase price and taxes, etc. $35000. 6 weeks later, needed SUV for business. Went back to Myrtle Beach Chysler Jeep. They offered me $24000 for the car I bought frm them. They offered 24! Took car to Totota. The car is less than 6 months old, low miles and Toyota offered $14,000. The car is worth NOTHING. Chrysler is charging way too much for this car. I called Myrtle Beach Chyrsler Jeep and they offered $17,000 only because they sold me the car. No one wants this car, including Chrysler. No navigation, no USB for iPod. Horrible on gas. Just all around bad purchase. Worse case of buyers remorse ever.

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  Reliable so far, but likely not for long.. - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By iknowcars2 - March 28 - 3:18 am

  Im driving this car as a hand-me-down with ~160k miles on it. It has no A/C, trunk lid hydrolics gone, weather stripping is falling completely off, two windows wont fully roll down, drivers side window has gone off-track twice, the front passenger door wont unlock without reaching over and unlocking it from inside, the auto-lock/unlock sounds hideous now, and the front passenger door speaker crackles (not from loud music, this car came from my sweet little grandmother.) The performance is acceptable for daily driving, but has unacceptable passing acceleration. About the only good thing I can say about this car is that its definitely roomy and the seats are comfortable and durable.

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  My Money PIT! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By michele2487 - February 17 - 10:41 am

  I purchased this car in February of 2012. I have not had this car for a year and I have already had to have the engine replaced, within the first month of purchase. (thank the Lord that the dealership replaced for free). My mileage says 137,000 miles, the "new" engine is only suppose to have around 37,000 miles on it. My front motor mount has had to be replaced, as well as other minor things, battery, starter, alternator. Now, I had the oil changed not even 2 months ago, I do in-town driving, short errands, nothing major and my Fiance checked my oil and it was bone dry. Now my engine is making the same knocking noise that it was making before I had the engine replaced.

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  Too many problems for a new car - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By asalyer1 - February 12 - 2:27 pm

  I purchased my Chrysler 200 in January 2012 it was my first new car purchase. I have to say Ive had fewer problems with the used cars Ive owned. My 200 currently has just over 30,000 miles my first service visit was right after I purchased it my key fob didnt work right you had to be within 5 feet of the car and press the button sometimes multiple times it turned out to be a lose coupler I had to take it in 3 times to get that fixed. Next was some nylon string unraveling from bellow the steering wheel. Then I had a knocking in the steering colum that has been fixed multiple times and lastly I just had the heater core and the radiator replaced due to heater failure!

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  Fun Drive, but no reliability - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By tribalxgecko - January 17 - 8:21 am

  This was a fun car to drive...when it worked. I owned this car for 4 years and had nothing but problems. Started with 20k miles, now has 80k. Repairs include: Starter (2x), Front Wheel Bearings (5x), Rotors (5x), Alternator (2x), O2 Sensor (3x), Fuel Sensor (1x), Heat Sensor (1x), and Wiring Harness (1x). It burned oil, eventuallydeveloped an oil leak. Power steering squealed like crazy, so I replaced the belt and the pump, still squeals like crazy. Headlight and taillight bulbs blow constantly. It now sits in the driveway because my wife is too afraid to drive it. The engine compartment is too cramped to do anything without tearing apart other components...all in all, a nightmare.

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  What Chrysler Doesnt Tell You... - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By ktaylorm - December 9 - 12:06 pm

  Bought my 2011 200 Ltd. brand new and sadly from day one I have had a constant vibration from 50-70 mph, the front end sounds like its falling apart and the car cannot be aligned. The vehicle only has 27,000 and its had the front axle, brake caliber, struts, sway links and tires replaced. The dealership has done everything physically and mechanically possible and states "they cannot fix the car". Chryslers response is these are characteristic of this car funny I dont remember seeing that on the sticker or in my owners manual. And the fun continues, as of yestserday, theres now a clunking in the steering column. And, Chrysler says this car doesnt meet the Lemon Law.

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  Unreliable, built to fail - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By baconandeggs - November 16 - 1:20 pm

  Do your research! People are giving star rating based on the looks/cosmetics of the car and not talking about the engine that will fail on you with low mileage! Ive had the engine rebuilt and just recently, the transmission. The mechanic who rebuilt my engine makes a living on fixing Hemi V8 5.7L engines. He was surprised that mine lasted 110,000 miles. That should give you a clue as to what kind care and quality control Chrysler has. I bought the car brand new in 2006 and gave nothing but synthetic oil changes and the proper maintenance. It looks great but I do not recommend this vehicle for reliability purposes.

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  200,000 miles - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By duma191 - October 16 - 11:51 pm

  great car but just hit 200,000 miles and have to replace the power steering belt. cant even get near it. oil leaking as well as coolant but neither quickly. no room in engine bay to work and cant drive it onto a ramp because the bumper is so low. i ended up jacking it up and putting the ramp under it but still cant get to the belts. i wish this American built car wasnt mostly plastic.