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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  Complete Garbage - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Pecos - March 27 - 12:40 am

  I bought a 2004 Sebring with 22k miles on it in 2005. I drive it to work and back and now the car has 100k miles on it. Did the 30/60/90 maintenance, regular coolant flushes, regular oil changes, new battery every 3 years, 3 new sets of tires,and here is what has crapped out over the years: 32k - aluminum oil pan stripped. 40k - brake replacement. 50k - washer hose break. 60k - engine oil seal leak. 70k - heater core leak. 75k - some misc electronic fuel regulator part. 80k - worn shocks and towers. 85k - leAking charcoal canister wont pass emissions, AC leak 90k - 2nd heater core leak, exhaust resonator cracked 95k - Rear power window seized up, Power top hydraulics leak. Water pump failure. Timing belt failure. 100k - thermostat failure, radiator overheating, AC compressor leak, belt tightener failure And now it is the shop again because the AC doesnt work after a new compressor. Also there is a minor oil leak. The 2.4 liter engine will run forever- the transmission seems ok, but this car has been a money pit for as little as I driven it. Its a good looking car, but plagued with the most annoying problems. And I have well sunk enough money into it to pay for the original purchase price well over. But I love the car! Such is the love and hate relationship I have with it.

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  Get an odessy - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Buyers remorse - February 8 - 11:40 am

  Dashboard is a pain to use and awfully designed. To many steps and buttons to press for simple thing. A/c and heat do not cool/heat well unless on highest setting, but then cool/hot air blows into you eat and it is so loud you cannot hear music or talk. Doesn’t shift well between gears, doesn’t steer or handle well, no side camera... drive an Odessy for 10 plus years. Wanted to try something new...big mistake

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  Bad Dangerous Buy - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Button - November 15 - 7:36 pm

  I am very disappointed in my PT cruiser. Steering ratio super bad. Visibility when backing is dangerously bad. There are blind spots. Looking to buy another car and other brand as soon as possible.

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  Nothing but problems - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sexysloth - August 28 - 7:31 am

  This is one of the worst cars Ive ever owned or driven. It gets very poor gas mileage and the acceleration is extremely poor. If even a drop of water get on the seats, it leaves a watermark youll never be able to get out. The dashboard is poorly laid out and I personally hate the circular design of the dash. The check engine light went on and off intermittently for a year, mechanics had no idea what was wrong with it. Whenever anyone sat in the passenger seat, the airbag light dinged loudly every 5 minutes. The car shook violently when idling or over 45-50mph. At 60k miles, the engine was completely shot. We ended up trading it in to a dealership at an extremely low price for a Ford.

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  Lemon Lemon Lemon - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Lance Bass - July 10 - 12:36 am

  PT Cruisers are lemons. After only 6 months with a brand new PT Cruiser I had to have the engine replaced and the entire electrical wiring replaced. The car has spent more time in the shop than it has spent in my drive way. Do not buy a pt cruiser.

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  Beware of Chrysler Products - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tony G - April 5 - 9:02 pm

  We went from being extremely excited about our new minivan, to increasingly frustrated. First of, this van shows off well. The features, the ride, and its looks we thought set it apart from the competition. It wasnt until we drove off the dealership when the headache began. Driving off and seeing the engine light come on is the most disheartning thing an owner of a "new" vehicle can experience. So now, we are stuck with a loner as we wait and see whats wrong with our new Pacifica. I reached out to Chrysler to see if they can expedite this process (its going to be a week before my van gets looked at the dealership), but they didnt seem too concerned with the idea of one of their products coming off the lot and going straight to the shop. Im hopeful our situation gets better. At this time, I would tell others to beware of Chrysler products.

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  Biggest [non-permissible content removed] ever! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By David Jordan - November 21 - 2:54 pm

  I bought mine with 132000 miles on it and it was way overpriced on top of the immediate repairs that needed to be done. Right away it overheated and needed a new battery. The cooling fan and relays had to be replaced. I replaced spark plugs and wires with a new coil pack, new fuel injectors, map sensor, camshaft positioning sensor and it still runs like crap. I have only owned it for a couple months now and every week it is something new. I replaced front and back brake pads with new rotors and drums. There is no power to the engine and gas mileage is iffy. The whole thing shakes even after getting my tires balance twice. Overall this is a junky piece of crap and must be Chryslers April fools joke to society. I think Ill be going back to GM. I have never gotten rid of a car so soon and put so much money into it with no difference in how it runs.

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  2015 Chrysler 200s PIECE OF JUNK - Chrysler sucks - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Mr. Disappointed - November 12 - 9:02 am

  I have purchased 3 chrysler vehicles over the past 3 years and have had issues with every single one of them. My current vehicle, a 2015 chrysler 200s has left my wife stranded in the middle of a busy intersection, not started on several occasions, and the transmission has had issues from day 1. Chrysler refuses to stand by their product (piece of junk). Went through the channels, customer care etc... got hung up on, mistreated on the phone and in general every single person involved had a lack of empathy towards the situation. I told them if they wouldnt stand by their own product, how could anyone else? They will not stand by their product, so neither am I. I will never own another, and am in the process of working out how I can get rid of every single one. The Honda CRV looks nice, I think well be going that route.

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  Dont Buy One!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Robert - August 21 - 2:20 am

  To be honest, I enjoyed driving this car...whenever it wasnt in the shop! Its charms are purely exterior. Under that steel hood lies its glass jaw - The Engine. Mine is toast after 50,000 miles. (Coincidentally it was just paid off 2 weeks ago) This was a maintained vehicle that averaged 10,000 mi/yr, mostly highway & light usage. BTW Ive already had this thing in the shop on numerous occasions to the tune of over $3000 in repairs which they obviously never got right. Dont let the slick packaging fool you, as you can see by the other comments- Sebring=Bad car buy! Also- Larry Roesch Chrysler is just about as customer friendly as snakes on a plane, but your money is better spent at the theater!

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  EW - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pacifica - July 27 - 7:18 am

  This has to be the worst car I have ever leased. I had 2 years and I had to replace to axle gear box and battery.