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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  Gas tank problems - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By thelio - February 3 - 8:07 am

  My Chrysler 300 2007 Check Engine Light can on a couple months back 2011. I took it to several shop and got opinions that I was not happy with. So I took it to the dealer where I purchased it. The dealer told me the gas tank had a hole in it from rubbing on the frame and it was $1100.00 dollars to repair. They are saying do to the age and miles on the car they will not repair it. It want pass the Ohio aim test because of the check engine light being on. The 30 day temp plate has expired. Moreover its a very poor and un-safe design if the gas tank rubs on anything. I refuse to drive a car that may explode. A gas tank should never rub anything. I have no car now. what can I do.

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  Terrible Overall Quality - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By 300andsad - February 1 - 7:30 pm

  Concur with the other review. Handsome vehicle, but loaded with quality and electronic problems. 1) Paint chipping on many areas 2) Remote key-less system failed and car would not start 3) Numerous rattles 4) Safety concerns with the blind spot & rain-sensing wipers: do not properly work and thus cause dangerous conditions 5) Severe engine shudder Leased in Sept 2011 and have regretted it since then. Dealership has been pretty solid, but Chrysler is a mess.

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  Chrysler 2006 Shudder Transmission Problem - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By mrsshudder - January 28 - 11:16 pm

  I bought this car in 2005. I love to drive it and love the way it looks, however, I have had many problems. 2 months after I purchased the car I brought it in for shudder problems between 30 - 40 miles per hour. Going on year 7 the dealership never fixed it or could repeat the problem. They know this is a problem. They are screwing people. Now, I am out of warranty, have 170,000 miles on the car and continually get told that I need a new transmission. I am taking this to a lemon law lawyer. I also had to take the car in continually in the beginning for electrical issues such as, back window not rolling down, EBS always on. I have never broken down but feel the car is not dependable.

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  BEWARE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES!!! (but Im going to miss it!) - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By ekasser11 - January 25 - 6:49 pm

  I first bought this car at an auction at 195,000 miles and it was overheating and the lights were not working, cost me about $250 to fix. Later on, it kept randomly shutting down on me and ended up being the fuel sensor which cost me another $230. I got the car all checked out an drove it from Texas to New Hampshire up through Canada with NO PROBLEMS! Then a couple months after I got here, it shut down on me again, not to ever start back up...the guy now says that the problems are so extensive because of the electrical issues that even if I were to get them fixed it would just break down again in the future, BUYERS BEWARE!

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  Shop Around!!! - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By jeanne29 - January 25 - 6:07 pm

  The cars great to look at but not so great to drive. The transmission shifts hard and makes a hard bump noise. But as the Chrysler dealer repeatedly tells me, " Thats normal for that model". NOT OK WITH ME!! The windows make a noise like they are cracked, even though Chrylers informed me before buying, " They take pride in the fact that their Chrylers are now smoother and quiter than any other make. The center console moves while your arm is resting on it. The voice attivaction on the radio continues to not register correctly. The seats are not confortable to sit in especially on road trips. And the dealer just tells us that all of these things are normal for this model.

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  Enjoying since 2007 - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By rish - January 12 - 7:53 pm

  When I was looking for a car in 2007, a chrysler 300M was not even on my shopping list. I was looking at a couple of Pontiac Grand Prixs when my eyes caught this beauty. This car stood out in a room filled with more than 50 cars at a local dealer in Toronto. After road testing it with a couple of friends in the back seat, who by the way found the back seat to be ultra comfortable with support for the back of your knee, I instantly fell in love with this car. The performance from the engine was surprising awesome for a 3.5 lt V6 in a full sized sedan and so was the handling. Every time I take this thing out for a spin, I am very confident while taking turns that it wont under or oversteer.

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  Beautiful+Fast -- Buggy+Unreliable - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By 300toll - January 11 - 8:35 pm

  Beautiful american sedan with style, design, and power to draw attention! Bad paint quality (look-up paint chipping off of hood and body panels) Electronic Quirks (look-up problems with stereo, and blind spot system) Reliability Issues (see popular quality awards) Poor Build Quality (look-up issues with front lights pooling water, and problems with powertrain) The negative problems and Chryslers continued lack of attention to quality and consumer preference unfortunately far outweigh the beauty and power.

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  My Wonderful Chrysler - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By bobekah - January 6 - 7:04 pm

  I got this car 2 years ago, It must have been when the car was completely falling apart but still looked good out side (thats what got me). I love my car but in the first year I put over 4000 into repair from Front end popping (which came back after replacing knuckles) constant creaking sound in my trunk area. Speakers blew a month after having the thing. Constant electrical problems. My dash flickers and my heated seats dont work. Ive gotten all new tires and they still leak! NEW rims and they still leak! This is my baby I spend alot of money but its a rip off for sure! The things only got 123,000 miles on it and the engine praformace is great

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  Not a quiet car... - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By bansale - January 5 - 5:48 pm

  I am picky with the sounds I hear in my car. My driver side window sounds like it isnt secured properly, almost vibrates in the housing when driving over small bumps. Same with passenger rear window. Passenger rear window is loud. Sounds like it is cracked open. Mine even whistles sometimes. Something in my dash is causing a rattling sound when going over bumps. Even experiencing problems with the Mygig installed into it. Sounds like the hardrive is still running even when the car is off. The dashboard fitting unit sounds like the plastic will break any minute. Very frustrating coming from someone that cares alot about inside noises.

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  Great car, excellent for touring - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lbsunshine - January 4 - 10:06 pm

  We purchased our Pacifica in 2006 with 30K miles. It now has 118K. This has been a great car to drive. Our longest trip was from Southern California to Mt Rushmore. It has been super reliable and practically maintenance free. The comfort cant be beat. We change the oil every 3k or so miles and all has been fine. We had the brakes and the oil pan gasket changed. We are a family of three so storage isnt a problem. Our son, though about 56" still sits in the third row of seats. My only complaint are the blind spot on the drivers side due to the rear end being so wide and the noise when the back windows are down. Chrysler should put it back into production.