1995 Chrysler Cirrus Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1995 Chrysler Cirrus has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission shifting into neutral or low gear while driving.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1995 Chrysler Cirrus.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission shifting into neutral or low gear while driving

POWER TRAIN

24 NHTSA complaints · 2000-07 → 2012-03

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10453215
“THE TRANSMISSION THROWS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AT NO NOTICE, HAVE TO SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTART”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10064596
“WHEN DRIVING 60-65 MPH TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT DOWN TO FIRST GEAR. DEALER REPLACED SOLENOID, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8003322

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front control arm and ball joint failures

SUSPENSION

8 NHTSA complaints · 1999-05 → 2008-11

“FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #837924
“NHTSA RECALL 97V201000/MANUFACTURERS RECALL 750 CONCERNING LOWER CONTROL ARM: WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL LOCKED UP, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8003113
“1995 CHRYSLER CIRRUS CASTLE NUT AND PIN FELL OFF ALLOWING THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TO FALL APART”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10136705

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel filler pipe breakage and corrosion

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2002-09 → 2006-03

“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE FUEL FILLER PIPE BROKE 3 INCHES FROM THE TOP CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL ON THE GROUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10152184
“CONSUMER STATES THAT FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE HAS COMPLETELY CORRODED, AND IS UNABLE TO PUT FUEL IN VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10032029
“CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK CAME APART IN TWO PIECE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8019901

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Floor shifter park interlock recall and rollaway

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 1999-05 → 2005-05

“WHILE PARKED AND THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY COLLIDING INTO A TREE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10097014
“WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE STREET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10090010
“THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION/PARK INTERLOCK AND REPAIRS COULD NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10121562

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling while driving or stopping

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2000-05 → 2008-02

“I HAVE A 1995 CHRYSLER CIRRUS THAT KEEPS STALLING, EVEN WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 60 M.P.H”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10060572
“WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND WILL NOT RESTART”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10216959
“CAR STALLS OUT ERRATIC IN NATURE NO WARNING RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #730878

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS hydraulic unit and master cylinder failures

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

16 NHTSA complaints · 1999-08 → 2004-09

“THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10015396
“DEALERSHIP EXAMINED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND DETERMINED THAT BRAKE FLUID IS NOT REACHING REAR-BRAKE SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #899698
“RECALL 96V075000/BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:MASTER CYLINDER: BRAKE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH, FORCING VEHICLE INTO AN FIELD TO AVOID A COLLISION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #863209

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in frontal crashes

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2000-03 → 2007-12

“I HAD A FRONT END CRASH AT 25 TO 30 MPH, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED JEOPARDIZING MY LIFE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10212007
“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #859207
“CONSUMER HIT AT GUARD RAIL, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10004683

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

7 NHTSA complaints · 1999-06 → 2005-02

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10111411
“WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON ITS OWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10042474
“WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES ENGINE WILL DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, AND SOMETIMES IT WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE TO 85MPH WITHOUT WARRNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #838965

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

112 crashes 1990–2024

How the 112 occupant deaths break down

75

driver deaths

37

passenger deaths

112

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1995 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

50

complaints mentioning a crash

5

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1995 Chrysler Cirrus reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.