Wrench.Pro

1997 Chrysler LHS Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1997 Chrysler LHS has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel rail and injector fuel leak, gasoline odor.” 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 1997 Chrysler LHS.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel rail and injector fuel leak, gasoline odor

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

21 NHTSA complaints · 1999-01 → 2019-02

“TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD "O" RINGS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. PICKED UP VEHICLE & IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #836457
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10233164
“THE VEHICLE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS WERE REPLACED PER RECALL NOTICE 98V-184, RECENTLY THE CONSUMER BEGAN SMELLING FUEL AROUND THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE GARAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #559869

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake rotor warping and steering wheel shake when braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

7 NHTSA complaints · 1998-12 → 2002-06

“AT 32800 MILES ORIGINAL ROTORS WARPED AND WERE REPLACED. AT 42800, THE 2ND ROTOR SET WARPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #702998
“AT 38,430 MILES THE ROTORS WERE SO WARPED THAT AT 60 MPH AT HARD BRAKING IF YOU WERE NOT EXPECTING IT AND HOLDING ON TIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD TWIST OUT OF YOUR HANDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #723337
“FRONT BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED, CAUSING WARPING, AND RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #843366

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loose steering, tie rod and steering rack failure

STEERING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2002-11 → 2010-05

“WHEN I GOT HOME I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE TIE RODS AND OF COURSE THEY WERE LOOSE AT THE INNER TIE ROD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10247901
“STEERING IS VERY LOOSE. THE CAR A 1997 CHRYSLER LHS WANDERS FROM LANE TO LANE AND NEEDS CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10190728
“VEHICLE TENDS TO SWERVE MAKING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL DIFFICULT. REPAIR SHOP SAYS THE STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACEMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10101633

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission seizure, lockup and failure

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 1999-09 → 2005-05

“TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING . DEALER HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #846360
“THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED WHILE GOING 35 MPH AND IF I DIDN'T HAVE ON MY SEAT BELT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10120553
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND COMING OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL DRIVER ONLY HAD LOW POWER AND REVERSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #854753

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Lower ball joint failure with loss of steering

SUSPENSION

4 NHTSA complaints · 2001-04 → 2003-06

“THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THE DEALER STATED, THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD COMPLETELY FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10017368
“THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD WORN OUT COMPLETELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10016002
“THE RIGHT BALL JOINT AND STABILIZER BAR FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10015221

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument panel and dash light dropout

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2013-02

“INSTRUMENT PANEL LOOSE GROUND CONNECTIONS CAUSE DRIVER INST PANEL TO GO ON OR OFF WHEN DRIVING THIS ALSO EFFECTS AIR BAG PANEL LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10102861
“THE SPEED, TEMPERATURE, AND FUEL LIGHT GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10112943
“I WAS DRIVING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY DASH LIGHT WENT BLACK. IT STOPPED WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10499816

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hood gas strut failure, hood falling

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2001-03 → 2001-04

“CONSUMER LIFTED HOOD TO CHECK OIL, HOOD SLAMMED DOWN AND INJURED CONSUMER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #883225
“THERE IS NO OTHER DEVICE TO MAKE SURE THE HOOD WILL STAY OPEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #9002013
“HOOD WILL NOT STAY UP AND SUDDENLY FALLS AND COULD EASILY INJURE SOMEBODY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #743788

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle movement while in park

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 1999-11 → 2000-09

“THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARK GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE MOVED AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARKED GEAR WHEN COLLISION OCCURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #554642
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ROLLING WHILE IN PARKED; AND HIT A HOUSE; DEALER NOTIFIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #868866
“WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND VEHICLE IN PARK, VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, CAUSING A COLLISION/INJURY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #848965

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

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.

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 1997 Chrysler LHS 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.

Check another vehicle →