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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  A Love/Hate Relationship - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By NotMadeOfMoney - January 20 - 2:00 am

  A gorgeous, stylish, roomy, comfortable, eye-catching vehicle. A scene-stealer. Problems in the 6 mos. Ive had it: •A/C compressor stopped working •Compression failure injector #1 •Drivers side window motor failed •Tie rods and inner bushings EXCESSIVE wear (the rack replaced just 1.5 yrs before) •Rear brake rotors excess distortion (note to chrysler: a BIG car requires a high-end brakes, otherwise excess heat warps the rotors) A gorgeous, stylish, roomy, comfortable, eye-catching vehicle. A MONEY-stealer. ADVICE: Enjoy riding in it if your friend has one!

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  Good price, sacrifice quality - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By ScottVT - January 20 - 2:00 am

  2nd chrysler product Ive bought, will be my last. The power- everything options is where the quality shows through. For the first 2 1/2 years I had no major problems. Since then, my engine cut out on me while on an off ramp, almost causing an accident. Carbon buildup in the throttle bore (29k miles). Power window went bad. Power seat shifted around as i drove (dealer considered "normal"). You get what you pay for. Car is nice to look at and comfortable to drive, but still k- car quality. They consistantly rank at the low end of reliability for a reason.

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  currently looking - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By nice carnot reliable - January 8 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car after looking at another chrysler LX. We liked the leather and sound better. since the buy, we have had lots of problems. rear tail light quit working due to a corosive electrical plate($50). then the ABS went out($500plus). and now the brakes wont work half the time. when we press the peddle down every once in a while it just wont move. very dangerous! no one can figure it out without ripping into it deep and charging an arm and a 2 legs. very unsatisfied.

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  Problems, Problems, Problems - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Trazar - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in February of 99, and have had the starter replaced, A/C Fan replaced (2X), Engine Cooling Fan replaced, drivers side window motor......although it is fun to drive and is very roomy for a person of my height (63"), Chrysler has to work out the problems that I have been seeing in these reviews!

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  9 trips to dealership since purchased - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By Acosta - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Although the van is comfortable, roomy, and looks great, I have nothing but problems since I bought this van. We have had to bring it to the dealership 6 times for malfunctions with the air bag and the car has never even been in an accident. I question whether it will work when needed. The van also has had problems with the rear lock, side door lock, battery, air conditioner, and drivers side window. I certainly hope not all Chrysler products are this unreliable.

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  average - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By farny - December 16 - 2:00 am

  this car is ok. i had it for about 8 months. the only problem is that my car wasnt shifting. the problems where the trans control module and output speed sensor. the mechanics didnt even get it right the first time. overall the car looks good, drives good, and is just an average car.

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  Quasi-pleased only - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By RATCHETT - December 16 - 2:00 am

  I initially thought this car was pretty comfortable and had some power...a lie. There is NO pick up for a V-6, and since the power is not there, I expected better gas mileage...a lie. Rear deck is so high that backing up is difficult, & "blind spot" is huge b/c of the position of the rear/side mirrors & back psgr. window. Tranny making a high-pitched whine (at 50,000 miles) at speeds under 60mph. Seats too hard for any distances. Front speakers did NOT hold up to Skynerd and Zepplin. Ashtray positioned so that jacket/coat covers it. LONG warm up time. Turning radius should be MUCH tighter. Interior cramped. Several other irritants typical of Chryslers.

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  Horrible Gas Mileage - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robyn - December 7 - 5:06 am

  I bought this car new after selling a 1996 Ford Explorer. I thought with a 4 cyl it would get good gas mileage. It was HORRIBLE. My 96 Explorer got better. I kept it for 18 months, and recently traded it in for a Chevrolet HHR. I was very disappointed in the gas, and at over $4.00 a gallon, could not justify keeping it any longer.

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  overview - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jim biles - December 4 - 10:56 am

  Fair- peeling chrome on all wheels, computer chip replaced to correct firing of fourth cylinder, flickerimg headlights due to misfiring of 4th cylinder, power steering leaks(4 different)-replaced hoses. Handling on curves a problem

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  AWFUL Quality and Reliability - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By mack the knife - December 4 - 2:00 am

  This car has a nice design, but the build and quality control are terrible. I have had problems with: electric windows, electric seat, air conditioner compressor, and stereo speakers. I have leased mine and cant wait to turn it in. This is my first and last Chrsyler product.