The 1995 Chrysler Cirrus was Chrysler's first midsize FWD sedan on the JA platform, shared with Dodge Stratus. While innovative for its time, these cars are plagued by catastrophic automatic transmission failures and serious engine issues, particularly head gasket failures on the 2.5L V6 and bottom-end failures on the 2.4L four-cylinder.
Automatic Transmission Failure (41TE/42LE)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifts, especially into 2nd gear, Slipping between gears under acceleration, Complete loss of forward gears, stuck in limp mode, Transmission fluid contamination visible in coolant reservoir
Fix: The 41TE/42LE four-speed automatic is notoriously weak. Internal clutch pack wear and valve body failures are common. Transmission cooler failure sends ATF into coolant system, causing catastrophic damage. Rebuild requires 8-12 hours labor; most techs recommend replacement with remanufactured unit due to core component weakness. Cooler MUST be replaced simultaneously.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
2.5L V6 Head Gasket Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on startup, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Oil milkshake appearance on dipstick, Overheating and rough idle, External coolant seepage at head/block junction
Fix: The Mitsubishi-sourced 2.5L V6 has poor head gasket design prone to failure between cylinders and into oil passages. Both heads typically need machining. Job requires 10-14 hours labor including timing belt replacement (mandatory while in there). Often reveals warped heads requiring replacement.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,900
2.4L I4 Connecting Rod and Main Bearing Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Heavy knocking from bottom end, especially when cold, Metallic rattling that worsens with RPM, Sudden catastrophic failure with rod through block, Low oil pressure warnings, Metal debris visible in oil filter
Fix: The 2.4L DOHC suffers bearing failure due to marginal oiling system and sludge accumulation. Once knocking starts, it's terminal—requires complete engine rebuild or replacement. Short block replacement takes 16-20 hours. Most owners opt for junkyard engine swap due to vehicle age/value ratio.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,500
Lower Ball Joint Separation
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Wandering or loose steering feel, Excessive tire wear on inside edge, Visible ball joint boot tears, Complete loss of steering control if separated
Fix: Subject to multiple recalls, the lower ball joints wear prematurely and can separate catastrophically. Entire lower control arm assembly must be replaced (ball joint not serviceable separately on this platform). 2-3 hours per side labor. Both sides typically need replacement simultaneously.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition with crank but no fire, Stalling at operating temperature, Hesitation or stumbling under acceleration, Whining noise from rear of vehicle, Hard starting when fuel tank below 1/4
Fix: In-tank pump assembly fails due to age and contamination. Requires fuel tank drop, 3-4 hours labor. Multiple recalls issued for pump module issues. Replacement pump assembly includes sending unit.
Estimated cost: $450-750
ABS Hydraulic Unit Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: ABS and brake warning lights illuminated constantly, Loss of ABS function with normal braking retained, Soft or spongy brake pedal feel, Brake fluid leaking from ABS module area
Fix: The Bendix ABS 10 system develops internal valve and pump motor failures. Used units are risky; remanufactured is recommended. Bleeding procedure requires scan tool. 2-3 hours labor including programming.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Neutral Safety Switch Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: No-crank condition in Park or Neutral, Engine starts in gears other than Park/Neutral (dangerous), Intermittent starting requiring shifter manipulation, Backup lights not functioning
Fix: Park/Neutral position switch on transaxle fails due to heat and contamination. Subject to recall. Switch replacement requires 1.5-2 hours labor including shifter cable adjustment verification.
Estimated cost: $200-350
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid and filter every 30,000 miles religiously—this trans needs all the help it can get
Replace transmission oil cooler preemptively around 100k miles to prevent coolant/ATF cross-contamination
On 2.4L engines, use quality synthetic oil and change every 3,000 miles to combat sludge buildup
Inspect lower ball joints every oil change—catching wear early prevents dangerous failures
Budget for a transmission replacement when shopping; assume it's coming if not already done
Hard pass unless free—these are ticking time bombs with multiple expensive, platform-wide failures that total the car's value by 100k miles.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · 10E059000
2010-12-27
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Consequence: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT · 04V021000
2004-01-13 · EA03011
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH · 98V183000
1998-08-06 · EA98014
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE · 98V063000
1998-03-20
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR DOES NOT ACHIEVE THE LOADING REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence: FAILURE OF A SEAT BELT ANCHOR CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SEAT BELT PROTECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SEAT BELT OUTBOARD ANCHOR FLOOR ATTACHMENTS FOR PROPER POSITIONING. IF THE ANCHOR WAS IMPROPERLY ORIENTED, THE ORIENTATION WILL BE CORRECTED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · 96V075000
1996-05-03
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · 96V074000
1996-05-02
CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence: IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · 96V006000
1996-01-11
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.
Consequence: INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.
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