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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  Hard to Say... - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Kyria - March 12 - 8:14 pm

  This is my first car, and I suppose its decent. my car has been in the shop a million and a half times. The dealership is NO HELP in anything, they make it worse by not fixing what they broke. It feels like the car is out of breath when i passs someone on a 2 lane highway. but the seats are comfortable enough and the backseat is huge! my keyless entry is busted and the door locks suddenly decide on their own to become manual. but its ok for now, even though it sucks up gas by the ton, oh well..

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  numerous problems with brakes - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By Lpositively - March 12 - 1:22 pm

  purchased from a so called reputable dealer, Herbee Dodge. Have had trouble with the brakes three times. Their response I dont know how to operate ABS, car was under a warranty they refused to lookinto matter seriously. research has shown me this car is known for many brake problems. Dealer denies any knowledge.

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  ITS JUNK, TRASH!!! - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By JCZ - March 8 - 3:02 pm

  Worst car Ive ever owned!!! In 50,000 miles, Ive had 8 fluid leaks, replaced the water pump, fuel pump, front rotors twice, right side tie rod ends, left side sway bar, transmission overhauled and the air conditioner compressor is leaking freon. THIS CAR IS JUNK,TRASH!!

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  A car to avoid. - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Steve Routh - February 28 - 9:22 am

  -Poor crash tests -Unresponsive braking -Transmission rebuilt -Transmission shudder (even after rebuild) -AC fixed, broke, fixed, still broke. -At least 5 recalls -radiator fan turns on and stays on -front hub bearing replaced -noisy passenger cabin -everything rattles -trunk lid spring broken -water leakage in trunk compartment

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  My Sebring Experience by JW - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By JW - February 27 - 6:57 pm

  Main issue was reliability. Two top motors. Then rear window defogger kept coming off (7 times). Then steering column locked. Had to have it towed. Final straw was the transmission started shifting erratically. Dealer replaced mounts. Few days later no transmission. New torque converter, no credit for mounts. Two weeks later transmission starts to slip (had 70K miles on it at this point). Am 56 years old, take care of my cars.

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  I am very hurt - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By KaTina Moore - February 13 - 11:53 am

  I have a 200 that I am scared to drive. I have not had my car for a year and the check engine light came. I went to pepboys the hooked the machine to it and told me it was a sensor. I took it to the dealer. My second issue was the fact that the shifter could move while I was driving. I was trying to turn up the radio and turned the shifter my car went into reverse with out pause. I explained this to the repair manager he did not respond. Before I got home after them having my car a week the check engine light was back on. Days after that the car dash said something about a throttle and the engine was overheating. Now the ne light is the RED one that said trans trouble service the shifter. I know I am not the smartest person in the world, but all of this and the car is not a year old!

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  Disappointing. Well be keeping our TOWN & COUNTRY - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By duraflex - January 24 - 3:14 am

  Anticipated that the new Pacifica would be a new and greatly improved version of our 2014 Chrysler T&C and the Pacifica is NOT. Although it rides noticeably quieter and somewhat smoother - thats about it. It doesnt handle any better and it has less interior room and worse visibility than the T&C. The second row seats fold into the floor more easily but they are not more comfortable. Pacifica uses a keyless ignition system which I find annoying. The gears are shifted by turning a small dial - why ? Its so awkward and weird and offers no advantage over a gearshift lever. The radio/media system has a big screen but is not intuitive and daunting and distracting to decipher. Cost-wise, you get far less bang for your buck than with a T&C. If you are in the market for a minivan, I would strongly recommend the T&C over the Pacifica any day.

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  Loved the car but always in shop - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By akiva96 - December 31 - 6:53 pm

  I loved this car initially but in the less than 3 years I owned it I had to have the front wheel bearings replaced, as well as the front suspension rebuilt and/or replaced (depending on the component) the steering was becoming clunky (maybe a CV joint issue?) and the front speakers failed. I finally got tired of dropping the car off at the dealer every other weekend and traded it in for another car. (Not a Chrysler!!!!)

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  2004 Pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KATHI - December 24 - 10:20 am

  I love the interior and the looks of the Chrsyler Pacifica. BUT, I have had nothing but problems with the vehicle, the transmission (electrical). The dealership has been great, but until it holds a code, nothing can be surely fixed. I will not buy another Pacifica, EVER. Terrible luck with vehicle.

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  Love into hate - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ElkyDori - December 24 - 9:33 am

  Performed own maintenence over 52000 miles including syn oil changes w/ filter every 5000 miles. Versatile space allowed two kegs and bags upon bags of booze to be transported. Bizarre power window switch placement, nice 5MT shifter, clear gauges, knuckles hit passenger seat when operating e-brake, single centered interior light a stupid idea and seating position too high and not laterally supported. Car now gets no better than 20mpg at absolute best, and burns thru a quart of oil just over every 1000 miles with no sign of leak, even up on lift. I need three additional quarts between oil changes. Questionable fuel gauge accuracy. Odd masking tape residue marks on gray bumpers appeared.