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:

• 

  chryslerc error pacifica 2005 - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Help - September 4 - 12:46 am

  car was alright for the 1t few days .. within a month i started having problems with it . while driving the car would shut off... in the middle of the road or no matter where im at the car would shut off completely had a few close calls.. its a very scary thing the steering wheel starts to be very difficult to control it locks and the car turns off.. took it back to car dealer they cannot find anything ... this has happened 3-4 times so far ... called chrysler directly they did nothing.... would like to know if anyone else had similar experiences. thank you

• 

  99 Concorde - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By swxedcrfv - August 26 - 2:00 am

  New short block at 31,000. Known oil circulation problem with 2.7 engine. ($3500 under warranty 21 days to fix) Timing belt tensioner 52,000 ($650 non warranty) 5 window motors in 3yrs 1 power door lock 1 door seal 1 CD player 2 trunk lid pistons almost all exterior plastic parts on exterior crazed and cracking.

• 

  Hmmm... - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jo - August 18 - 3:13 pm

  After 1 year I am averaging 17 mpg I get excuses from service dept. "You dont drive it right, different emissions, only under certain circumstances. will you get good MPG, the car is new, others are getting less (and this is something to be proud of?) When will the fuel mileage increase? I even got a call from Chrysler Corp. More excuses...

• 

  Last one for me!!!!!! - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Dan-n-Angie - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Thank goodness for the extended warranty. The great options can only make-up for so much. In 60,000 miles we had to get the power window motor replaced, electronic transmission sensor replaced, electric seat motor replaced and now the front brake rotors (how do they hot enough to warp with our damaging the pads?) Continually have problem with shaking once tires get 20,000 miles. This is the first and last Chrysler for me and theyve probably ruined any chances for their fellow American manufactures.

• 

  300M underpar - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By North Carolina Buyer - July 27 - 2:00 am

  I have had many poblems as the car gets older. I have just replaced the rack and penion steering rack. The cars braking abililty leaves a lot to be desired if you looking to buy one give yourself plenty of stopping distance. Over all I like the car. It has many good features and it has just as many draw backs. There seems to be always something wrong.

• 

  Great car... the first month. - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Troy O. - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Quick review. Bought it in June of 2000 with 22,000 miles. Drove off and was excited and enjoyed the wind through my hair. Then the problems started. The back passenger floorboard would flood after heavy rains which then shorted out the entire interior electronics. I have no radio, interior lights, keyless entry, etc. The dealer said it wasnt under warranty and would very costly to fix. the interior began to mold and Ive gone through all my bathroom towels as well as my patience. I now have a company car and my Sebring slowly rots until I pay off enough to sell it. Worst purchase Ive ever made. BEWARE!

• 

  Looks Good But High Repairs - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By JerryS - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Weve had significant repair issues over the years and I would not recommend this car. (and I wouldnt recommend another Chrysler product unless I was convinced theyve improved mechanical reliability) The dealers have generally been good to work with but its gotten a little ridiculous. Weve replaced the entire cooling system, alternator, fuel and power steering pumps, the sun roof leaked, new exhaust, head gasket, and assorted smaller items in addition to normal wear and tear items. Not good. Why dont we sell it? Everytime we fixed an item we figured, "What else could go wrong?"

• 

  We have a Love / Hate Relationship - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Yankeemare - July 2 - 2:03 am

  I LOVE this car and HATE the constant repairs! 2 full sets of brakes in 3 years, new transmission at 80,000 miles, fog lights wont turn off - had to have the lights disconnected, but the LCD interior light stays on all the time, engine overheating, water pump, thermostat, timing belt and serpentine belt being replaced as we speak (97,000 miles). I love the design, comfort, interior, passenger and cargo capacity, and its very easy to get my grandson in and out of his car-seat in the back seat. Im shopping for another hatchback but it sure wont be a PT Cruiser and that makes me very sad. If Chrysler could up the reliability quotient, Id be a PT Cruiser buyer / owner forever

• 

  Radiator replaced TWICE - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By 56981101 - June 25 - 11:23 pm

  Have had radiator replaced twice - both times the radiator CRACKED - first time, hit a small cat, second time, a pothole in the road. Currently having problems with the car overheating and no one can find anything wrong with it. Purchased in December of 2006, basic model. Our only requirements were that it fit three car seats in the back (it does), and that it have A/C (it does not, although we were told it did). Not happy with this vehicle overall. Will be trading soon, if we can get a decent trade-in on it. Not counting on that, though. I agree with the person who said PT Cruisers are lemons.

• 

  meh - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Nitrous15! - June 25 - 4:02 pm

  The 200 has a nice look and room enough inside but underwhelms in performance, fuel efficiency and the stereo with the uconnect system is kind of lame. So much sub but not enough power from smaller speakers makes bass heavy songs hard to enjoy. Im an audiophile so this really irritates me, may not be as big of a deal for others. The distance between city and hwy mpg is pretty serious, about 19-22 in city and 28-40 on freeway (depends on incline/grade). The 200 also suffers from a jankey throttle response. Ill lightly press on the pedal and get nothing, a slight press drops gears fast and pulls you a bit abruptly. Not fun. Its a good start to redoing the 200, but theres several miscues that keep it from being a real hit.