1999 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 2.5 from North America

Summary:

The best, most reliable car I have ever owned

Faults:

Since I have bought the car I had the wheel alignment & balancing checked since there was a minor steering wheel vibration at speeds over 70 mph. This turned out to be poorly balanced tires and was at about the same time as the brakes needed replacing (72,000km or 45,000 miles).

I have also replaced the brakes all around (4 wheel disc's) at about 72,000km or 45,000 miles.

I now need to replace the tires since I have had the car for almost 5 years and still on the original Michelin's. I could probably go another 6 months, but since winter is here I will change them now.

I have changed the oil on average only once or twice a year.

If this car needed any less maintenance I don't know how. I am a hard driver so the tires and brakes held out well considering.

I occasionally hear groaning from the front passenger axle so I think I am due for a CV joint repair soon.

Some minor leather wear (finish) on drivers seat. All other interior items are mint.

Some minor rust on front hood edge where spot welds are. (My fault for keeping the front end cover on all last winter).

General Comments:

This is my second Cirrus LXi. I had a 1996 and when the lease ran out I bought my present car. After driving the same make and model for almost 8 years I do not get tired of driving this car in any weather. It is comfortable, quiet and fairly roomy. My biggest complaint is how low the middle console armrest is. Also the drivers door edge is thin and doesn't make a comfortable arm rest either so on a long trip I can get a sore left elbow.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th December, 2003

20th Oct 2005, 19:14

I presently own a 1999 Cirrus with about 69,000miles. It's 2.2 engine is reliable and has great mileage. I have only one complaint. what is up with my hood rotting out on the front lip? The rust started to bubble up from the underside and is now rotting away the hood. I noticed this on many of the other cirrus's at shopping malls etc. I just feel others should be aware of this premature wear on an otherwise very reliable car.

1999 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 6 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Junk defined!

Faults:

Front brakes and rotors needed replaced at 2001 inspection.

One wheel needed replaced due to defect-new one doesn't match.

A/C compressor blew a seal-replaced under warranty.

EGR plugged up around 15K Needed new sensor.

Strut fell out going through intersection-found to be defective.

Trans-axle jumps when coasting to a stop sign or stop light then makes grinding noise.

Grinding noise when engaging reverse or drive.

General Comments:

I will NEVER buy another Chrysler product. This car is junk and is almost the color of a lemon(imagine that!). I paid 20K for it put only 23K miles on it and when I went to trade it in they only offered me $4395! That's almost losing six thousand a year! The dealerships haven't been any help and have been quite rude with the repairs-fortunately every one of them has been under warranty. The incident with the strut falling out going through the intersection has made me weary about driving this car at all. I'm stuck with a piece of junk and when the extended warranty expires (soon) I'm going to give it away, but not to anyone I know!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th September, 2003

20th Oct 2003, 08:31

I own a '95 LXI. The CE light has been on for several months and my mechanic cannot tell me if it is the EGR sensor or the Oxygen Sensor. This occurred somewhere around 78k miles. Any suggestions on how to diagnose the problem?

3rd Sep 2004, 15:28

Does it come on as soon as you start the car, or after the car has been driven for a while?

If it is the second one, it will be the O2 sensor.

If it is the first, it could also be the O2 sensor, but the only way to check this is with a scanner and tester.

If it is a 95-97, you can pull the codes from the car by turning the key 3 times off and on, then the third time leave the key on and the check engine light will flash, then pause, then flash again. It will flash in numbers; flash, flash, flash means (3) pause, flash, flash, flash, flash means (4). It depends on the number of flashes for each number, then a pause, then it will flash again. It will flash these codes 3 times, then shut off.

If it flashes a code 55, then there are no codes in your computer, and it would then seem to be in the electrical system; check the distributor, the coil is in it, and it controls everything about the way the car should fire and run.

Good luck.

29th Jan 2005, 20:30

I own a 1999 Chrysler Cirrus LXI and I have not had 1 problem with mine. Mine is fully loaded. You just got a lemon. It does not matter what kind of car it is there are going to be some lemons. If you don't want a car to lose so much value buy a Jeep. They do not lose their value much at all.

6th Aug 2009, 08:46

1999 Cirrus: Car has 84,000 miles and the timing belt and distributor have to be replaced at a cost of 1100, and the car is only worth 2000. Wanted to give this to my son as a 'starter' car, but am afraid it will give out on the road. The car handles well when it runs, but will NEVER buy American again.

17th Aug 2013, 23:41

Your Oxygen sensor could be one of the FEW that can be cleaned by letting it sit in carburetor cleaner for a few hours, and then simply blowing it off with some compressed air.

The EGR sensor on the other hand might just be easier to replace, but then again for $50, why not just replace them both, because if it is just those two items causing the fault, it will clear it from the computer.

Also, have you tried just clearing the computer and seeing how long it takes to come back?