FaultScore

1996 Chrysler Cirrus brake problems

27 of the 203 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus are about the braking system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 45,000 miles.

C

27

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 11 40.7%
Master Cylinder 3 11.1%
Foundation Components 2 7.4%
Disc 2 7.4%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 7.4%
Conventional 1 3.7%
Pads 1 3.7%
Drum 1 3.7%
Shoes/Linings 1 3.7%
Control Unit/Module 1 3.7%

Brakes across every Chrysler Cirrus year

1995 155 68.9%
1996 27 12.0%
1997 12 5.3%
1998 10 4.4%
2000 21 9.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 45,000 miles Tecumseh, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

AFTER HAVING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED EMERGENCY BRAKE LOCKED AND MELTED THE BRAKE DRUM WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED. WHILE DRIVING A PASSING MOTORIST NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER. EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM AND DRUMS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10094463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Tecumseh, MI

PARKING BRAKE

AFTER HAVING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED EMERGENCY BRAKE LOCKED AND MELTED THE BRAKE DRUM WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED. WHILE DRIVING A PASSING MOTORIST NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER. EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM AND DRUMS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10094463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Jacksonville, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

LOSS OF ABS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL LEVELS OF BRAKING, I.E. HEAVY, MEDIUM AND MINIMAL BRAKING. WHEN LOSS OF ABS HAPPENS, THE PEDAL DECENDS TO THE FLOOR AND A BUZZ/RACHETING NOISE IS HEARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS LEAD TO POTENTIALLY 4 MAJOR ACCIDENTS. TO SOLVE THE LOSS OF BRAKING, DRIVER HAS TO "RE-PUMP" THE PEDAL AFTER LOSS HAS OCCURED. (NO MIL/SCAN TOOL CODE RECORDED) .

NHTSA complaint #10059998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,980 miles South Kingstown, RI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE REAR BRAKE HOSE COLLAPSED FROM EXCESSIVE HARDWARE DUST, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER TO LEAK, THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL, HOWEVER IT HAD TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Highland Park, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES SUDDENLY TO AVOID A COLLISION, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO SKID. VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED BY 2 DEALERS AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO HAVE ALL CONFIRMED THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HAD FAILED. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coatesville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE DRIVING, UPON APPLYING BRAKES TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE THE INCORRECT SIZE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Rapids, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO REAR BRAKE PADS WHICH CAUSES SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8004691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schenectady, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIDE.

NHTSA complaint #881298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Millbrae, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON A HIGHWAY STREET, AND WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. HE PASSED THE STOP SIGN, THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THEN, AS HE RODE DOWN THE STREET, THREE BLOCKS LATER THE BRAKES CAME BACK AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES HANDLE WAS UP.

NHTSA complaint #873201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hazelcrest, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENTAND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES, AND THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, IN ORDER TO STOP ALOT OF FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #861349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Madison, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY AT 36,000 MILES WHICH RUINED ROTORS - $350 REPAIR. CAR STALLS WHEN SLOWING - NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FAILED AT 57,000 MILES - $1100 REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #719443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Elgin, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

BRAKES CONTINUALLY DEGRATE, AND STEERING SHAKES WHEN BRAKING AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. BRAKES, LININGS, PADS, ROTORS REPLACED/RESURFACED 3 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #717164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Elgin, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

BRAKES CONTINUALLY DEGRATE, AND STEERING SHAKES WHEN BRAKING AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. BRAKES, LININGS, PADS, ROTORS REPLACED/RESURFACED 3 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #717164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #842299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

AT 55,000 MILES THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON ON MY VEHICLE'S INSTRUPMENT PANEL.UPON TAKING SAME TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC I WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABS MOTOR WAS NO LONGER WORKING HOWEVER THE VEHICLE BRAKES THEM SELVES WERE IN WORKING ORDER. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WAS ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AS OTHER 1996 2.5 LITER CHRYSLER CIRRUS(S) WERE FOR THEIR ABS MASTER CYLINDER PISTON (RECALL#686) AND MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON(RECALL#687). AT 75,000 MILES I WAS EXITING OFF OF INTERSTATE I-95 ONTO I-395 WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL(RED LIGHT) THE ABS LIGHT WHICH NORMALLY STAYED LIT CONSTANTLY BEGAN TO FLICKER/BLINK . WHILE MY FOOT WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE AND PUSHED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND I WAS HEADED INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN I STEERED THE VEHICLE INTO A HIGH CURB SYMOTANIOUSLY SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO AVOID COLLIDING INTO ANY VEHICLES AT THE INTERSECTION(CONWAY ST. AND I-395). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND WHEEL/RIM WAS REPLACED .THE MECHANIC ADVISED HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE REASON FORTHIS INCIDENT. THE FUSE TO THE ABS MOTOR LOCATED IN THE FUSEBOX UNDER THE HOOD WAS REMOVED TO ENSURE SAME INCIDENT WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN. I AM GIVING YOU THIS INFORMATION NOT FOR RESTITUTION BUT TO INVESTIGATE WHY NO RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MY AND MAYBE OTHER CHRYSLER CIRRUS(S) VEHICLES. SINCERELY, FRANKLIN LEE ADKINS.

NHTSA complaint #708567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ridge, NY 1 injured

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH PARKING BRAKE. WHEN PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND WENT TO GET OUT OF THE DOOR, THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER WAS DRAGGED AND SEVERELY INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #830063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bethlehem, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

BOTH A 3RD PARTY INSPECTION STATION AND THE DEALER MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE PITTED...IN MANUFACTURE...AT AN 'UNREASONABLY' PREMATURE LIFESPAN...23K MILES. SINCE CHRYSLER DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE BBB LEMON LAW ARBITRATION...THEIR DIRECT CONTACT 1-800-992-1997 MAINTAINED THE WARRANTY OF 1YR/12K MILES...DISREGARDING THE SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FROM THE ABOVE SOURCES THAT THE PITTING WAS A MANUFACTURING FLAW...AND THEREFORE CLEARLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRYSLER TO REPLACE...AT NO COST.

NHTSA complaint #541783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Bernard, LA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKOWN. ALSO, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING MALFUNCTION. DEALER REPLACED THE RELAY PUMP. PLEASE GIVE ANY OTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #816005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manassa, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES HAVE A TENDENCY TO FADE, ALSO GRIND IN PANIC STOPS.

NHTSA complaint #513574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grove City, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (96V075/074). *AK

NHTSA complaint #808304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES, BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND FELT SPONGY FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

NHTSA complaint #513653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

PREMATURE WEA ROF FRONT BRAKE PADS.

NHTSA complaint #511737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lilburn, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

RECALL NO-96V075000. WAS FIXED ON 8-2-96. THE MASTER CYLINDER IS STILL LEAKING. *AK CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS CHECKED 5 TIMES AND MASTER CYLINDER IS STILL LEAKING. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #804957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW York, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

THE MASTER CYLINDER IS EMPTY BECAUSE THERE'S A CRACK IN IT WHICH CAUSED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #803908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW York, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE MASTER CYLINDER IS EMPTY BECAUSE THERE'S A CRACK IN IT WHICH CAUSED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #803908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baton Rouge, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS; THE FRONT BRAKES ARE GRINDING METAL TO METAL, HAVE TO START STOPPING AHEAD OF TIME TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GOING TO STOP, 3RD TIME IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #987038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mableton, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

EQUIPPED W/ABS BRAKES; WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL DESCENDS TO FLOOR THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL. PROBLEM UNKNOWN W/DEALERSHIP NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE.

NHTSA complaint #985367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Chrysler Cirrus problems

← Full 1996 Chrysler Cirrus report