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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  Do you believe this about PACIFICA TOU L PLUS? - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sree - April 8 - 1:03 pm

  I bought a brand new PACIFICA TOURING L PLUS 2017 and drove couple of miles I found few issues. 1. 3rd row power stow and go had a problem. 2. When I was trying to reverse the car, it was stuck and not able to move back. 3. 2nd Day, it stuck middle of the road and completely stopped the engine. "Driving" mode came back to "Parking" mode and engine completely stopped. Didnt start almost 30 minutes. After that it started again. 4. After towing the car to the dealers place on Sunday, next day which is on Monday, Technician drove the car to reproduce the issue. While he was driving, "Driving" mode came back to "Parking" mode and engine completely stopped. I did return the car to the dealer. It was really scary. Life and death issue. Thank god It was not on the highway. Again, I really like this Pacifica 2017 minivan but wanted to hear your experience. Please let me know if you run into similar issue.

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  dont buy this at home - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By pissed in Texas - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Remember to get the extended warranty b/c your screwed if you dont...thank god we did!This is a p.o.s!First on the list is a very serious electrical problem,then a tranny problem and then the oil in the engine came out kind of a paste which caused a serious engine problem!The sensor went out but we lucked out and had an extended warranty however we did not remember about it until the last moment and that stupidity cost $600.though ont the upside,its a good car now after all is fixed

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  Never Again - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Justin L - November 26 - 9:51 am

  I bought the most expensive 2016 200c with every option available plus the extended warranty. Car was great for a month or two then stuff started happening. The adaptive cruise control sensors on front of car have plastic covers that go around them. One fell off, took it to dealer and they said there was never one there and it wasnt covered under warranty. Next the leather started to separate on passenger seat, only 5k miles and 4 months old. Took to dealer they submitted it to Chrysler who denied the claim and said it wasnt under warranty. I called customer care who said there was nothing they could do about it. Will never again buy from a Chrysler or from that dealer.

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  BAD DECISION!!!! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By LCW - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Took it through a car wash,water came pouring into the car.Dealer claims you arent supposed to take convertibles through a car was(they stated if I had read my owners manual,I would have known that).I have been in a rain storm 2X and water is still leaking.Front indows off track. Service dept cant ind the problem.They claim it has to do with the motor of the window.Going to get something more reliable(AND from a different dealer).Ive called the owner of the dealership and was advised she doesnt speak to customers(thats why she hires managers).Why does Chrysler have a dealer with such poor customer service.Maybe it reflects the quality of the car!

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  Whats was I thinking? - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sam Wild - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Sold this car as soon as I could, the Quality is one of the worst Ive ever seen on a car. This was my 5th Chrysler and I think it will be may last one.

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  tricky transmission - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Sharon O. - July 21 - 10:20 am

  I had the Chrysler 200S for only a few days. I had to make a sudden stop .Then the car went into Park, & I couldnt get it into drive for several minutes. I finally was able to drive the car home. When I went into the car the following day, it was again stuck in Park. It had to be towed to the dealer. They gave it back to me later that afternoon. but three days later, the problem occurred again, & again it had to be towed back to the dealer where it has been for almost two weeks. I am very discouraged.

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  lemon - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Emma Hanson - July 16 - 1:06 pm

  Bought the car brand new first month had to take it back when in cruse control going up a small sill will slow down about 7 miles form set control then coming down it will speed up over 12 miles and I say over cause I had to disengage the control to slow down, took it to the dealership and they told me it is the nature of the model. Three months later I took it in for problems with front passenger carpet they semi fixed it, a month later took it back in for same reason they replaced it, about six months later took it in for a nose on the nob shifter every time I stepped on the beak and only with the motor running if you stepped on the break and put it on drive it wouldnt happen, the fixed that, it was a censer in the shifter. Couple of moths later doing about 75mph down a busy Hwy I have a truck on my back when to accelerate to pass and get out of this trucks way, all my gages when haywire and car when from 75 to 45 check engine light came on and heat gage showed it was hot so I pulled over gave it a few minutes though well Ill limp to the nearest exit stepped on gas and guess what went back to 75 like nothing had just happened, however the check engine light stayed on so took it back in following morning after all this was on a Sunday, they checked it out said it was a censer in the transmission, fixed that got it back a week later, the day I got it back went home at home go put it in reverse there it set transmission would not engage, took it back next day they had the car for another week they couldnt fine nothing wrong cense then it shifts funny, and now just took it in for the carpet issue AGAIN. Im at the point that I dont know what to do any more I just know I dont want this car. I love the car the design of the car the looks but not all the problems Ive been having

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  CHRYSLER LEMONS - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By CHRYSLERS FOOL - April 3 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY THIRD SEBRING CONVERTIBLE /FIRST ONE BURNT UP @700 MILES [LEMON LAW] SECOND ONE FLOODED,SHORTED ELECTRIC SYSTEM [MANUFACT DEFECT]@15000 MILES/NOW STUCK W/THIRD.CAR AS POOR QUALITY AS CHRYSLERS SERVICE.GOT STUCK W/3 LOOKING FOWARD TO NOW BEING ABLE TO GET A DECENT VEHICLE.PLEASE DONT MAKE THE MISTAKE WE MADE/BUYING OR DEALING W/CHRYSLER

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  pt loser - 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By barry - March 12 - 7:05 am

  junk.this is the exact car as the dodge neon.60 thousand easy miles, replaces ac pump, rear door latch, starter,valve cover gasket and timing belt.total pile of junk.

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  Will never buy another Chrysler - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By Roger T - November 18 - 7:14 am

  Wish I could afford to sue Chrysler for how off they are about the MPG. Have done regular maintenance on this vehicle over the 3 years I have owned it. No matter how easy I drive this vehicle I have yet to see overy 24 MPG. My average since owning the car is 21. This IS a 4 cylinder. Next, the acceleration is terrible. You press the pedal expecting it to go, wait 3-4 seconds of almost standstill then finally some movement. Not safe if you ask me when defensive driving is important. Braking has never been good. Any quick stop results in the entire vehicle shaking from its horrible anti lock. I have already been told that the brakes and rotors are good so again just terrible mechanics. There are many other things but my biggest pet peeve is the tricks Chrysler uses to force you back to the dealership for maintenance. For example, if you want to change the battery you must remove the front bumper, remove the headlight and then the battery. Even just changing the headlight bulb requires the same thing or removing the plastic in the wheel well. Ridiculous is putting it gently. Just look elsewhere at all costs. Buyer beware.