The 1998 Chrysler Cirrus represents Chrysler's mid-90s Cloud Car platform—affordable front-drive sedans that suffer from catastrophic transmission failures and surprisingly frequent bottom-end engine issues, particularly with the 2.4L four-cylinder. Parts are cheap, but labor-intensive repairs add up fast.
Symptoms: Delayed or harsh 2-3 upshift, especially when cold, Transmission slipping in overdrive on highway, Complete loss of forward gears—stranded situation, Burnt ATF smell, metal shavings on dipstick
Fix: The 41TE (A604) four-speed auto is notoriously weak. Solenoid pack and governor pressure issues escalate to planetary gear failure. Replacement with rebuilt unit: 8-10 hours labor. Used transmissions are gambles—many already have 100k+ miles. Oil cooler line corrosion often contaminates fresh fluid.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
2.4L I4 Piston Slap and Rod Bearing Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start knock that fades after 30 seconds (early warning), Metallic rattling under load—rod bearings, Oil pressure dropping below 10 psi at idle when hot, Catastrophic spun bearing—engine seizes
Fix: The 2.4L DOHC has soft piston skirts and marginal oiling to rod bearings. Piston slap alone isn't terminal, but when bearings go, you're looking at short-block replacement or full rebuild. 18-22 hours labor for R&R and machine work. The 2.5L V6 is far more durable—avoid the four-cylinder if buying used.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Lower Ball Joint Separation (Recall-Related)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps at low speeds, Steering wander or sudden pull to one side, Visible rust/corrosion on ball joint boot in salt-belt cars, Catastrophic—wheel collapses outward if joint separates
Fix: NHTSA recalled ball joints on Cloud Cars multiple times. Even post-recall, corrosion on salt-exposed cars causes premature wear. Control arms are riveted—most shops replace the entire lower arm assembly. 2.5-3.5 hours per side. Check for play during any tire rotation.
Estimated cost: $350-600 per side
Head Gasket Failure (2.4L and 2.5L V6)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke on cold start—coolant entering cylinders, Persistent overheating despite new thermostat/radiator, Oil looks like chocolate milk—coolant mixing in crankcase, Bubbling in coolant reservoir when revving engine
Fix: Both engines are interference designs—overheating warps the head. The 2.5L V6 is especially prone between cylinders 2 and 3. Head removal, milling, and valve job: 12-15 hours labor for the V6, 10-12 for the four. Timing belt/water pump should be done simultaneously since you're already there.
Estimated cost: $1,400-2,400
Fuel Pump and Filter Clogging
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting when fuel tank is below 1/4 full, Engine stumbling or dying during highway acceleration, Whining noise from rear seat area—pump struggling, No-start—pump completely failed
Fix: Fuel filter is inside the tank with the pump assembly—no standalone inline filter. Clogged filter starves the pump, burning it out. Tank must be dropped: 3-4 hours labor. OEM pump assemblies are discontinued—aftermarket quality is hit-or-miss. Use Top Tier fuel to extend life.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Transmission Mount and Engine Mount Collapse
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from park to reverse, Excessive engine rocking visible when revving in neutral, Vibration through steering wheel at idle in gear, Transmission shifter feels sloppy or notchy
Fix: Hydraulic mounts fail early on these cars—rubber tears and fluid leaks out. Front engine mount and rear transmission mount are worst. Each takes 1-2 hours to replace. Not urgent, but collapsed mounts stress CV axles and shifter linkage. Do all three at once to save labor.
Estimated cost: $300-550 for all mounts
Owner tips
Change ATF every 30,000 miles with Mopar ATF+4 ONLY—other fluids destroy the 41TE solenoids
Inspect ball joints annually if you live in the rust belt—spray penetrating oil on boots during winter
Use 5W-30 synthetic oil on the 2.4L and change every 3,500 miles to slow bearing wear
Replace fuel filter assembly every 80,000 miles preventively—cheaper than a tow and new pump
If transmission shifts hard when cold, budget for replacement now—it's on borrowed time
Only buy if it's a 2.5L V6 with documented transmission replacement and you can wrench yourself—otherwise, parts-car territory by 120k 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.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
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.
EQUIPMENT · 09E043000
2009-07-07
IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 99V244000
1999-09-15
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Consequence: DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.
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.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.