Chrysler Cirrus Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year Cirrus should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 1995 Chrysler Cirrus has the most documented problems with a problem score of 412 — driven by 4 recalls, 318 complaints.

Q: What is the best year Cirrus to buy?

The 1999 Chrysler Cirrus is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 57, meaning 4 recalls and 41 complaints on record.

Q: Which Cirrus has the fewest problems?

The 1999, 1997, 1998 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Chrysler Cirrus model year (1995–2000) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

Total Recalls

613

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Chrysler Cirrus Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

1995

4 recalls · 318 complaints

41 reported injuries

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

Problem score: 412

#2 WORST

1996

4 recalls · 99 complaints

4 reported injuries

Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Problem score: 119

#3 WORST

2000

6 recalls · 53 complaints

7 reported injuries

Top issue: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Problem score: 85

Best Chrysler Cirrus Years to Buy

#1 BEST

1999

4 recalls · 41 complaints

Main area: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Problem score: 57

#2 BEST

1997

4 recalls · 52 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Problem score: 68

#3 BEST

1998

4 recalls · 50 complaints

Main area: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Problem score: 70

Found the right year? Verify that specific Cirrus with a free VIN report.

Chrysler Cirrus — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2000	6	53	7	—	85	Good
1999	4	41	2	—	57	Good
1998	4	50	4	—	70	Good
1997	4	52	2	—	68	Good
1996	4	99	4	—	119	Good
1995	4	318	41	—	412	Avoid

All 6 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.

Chrysler Cirrus Shopping Guide by Era

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older Cirrus models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year Cirrus should I avoid?+

Avoid the 1995 Chrysler Cirrus if possible. It has 4 recalls, 318 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 412 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year Cirrus to buy?+

The 1999 Chrysler Cirrus is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 57. It has only 4 recalls and 41 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which Cirrus has the fewest problems?+

The 1999, 1997, 1998 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Chrysler Cirrus Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Chrysler Cirrus.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Chrysler Cirrus.

Check a Specific Chrysler Cirrus VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →