1996 Chrysler Cirrus Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

20Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints

12.5%Of all 160 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE20 · 12.5%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE13 · 8.1%

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11 · 6.9%

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP11 · 6.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION8 · 5%

Share of the 160 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus overview page.

What owners report

“CONSUMER STATES THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW, AS A RESULT OF THE OIL FROM THE ENGINE GOING INTO THE RADIATOR.”NHTSA complaint 8020317 — filed 10/07/2002

“VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE GALLERY PLUGS JUST LIKE THE SAFETY RECALL 671 THAT HAD RECEIVED FROM MANUFACTURER. BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED…”NHTSA complaint 873745 — filed 10/24/2000

“CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEM OF HEAD GASKET W/OIL LEAKING AND REQUIRING A $250.00 DEDUCTABLE TO REPLACE GASKET WHEN IT SHOULD BE REPLACED FOR FREE KNOWING…”NHTSA complaint 734373 — filed 10/15/2000

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the most-reported problem area on the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus: 20 of 160 complaints on file (12.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus have in total?

160 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 11 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.