1994 Chrysler Concorde Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission trouble, brake problems and fuel smells on a car that is typically reported well past 70,000 miles. Many complaints read as wear-and-tear failures on an older vehicle rather than one repeated design fault, and several entries reference recall work that was completed but did not fully stop the symptom.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, harsh downshifts and limp mode

   • 54 complaints (16%)
   • median 126,017 mi at 9.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe the transmission jerking or lunging when slowing below about 7 mph, delayed engagement into reverse, shuddering around 30-40 mph as overdrive engages, and occasionally dropping into a single-gear limp mode or behaving as if in neutral at highway speed. Some owners attribute it to leaking seals and had the transmission replaced or rebuilt; others report that the dealer declined a goodwill repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 43,000 miles up to about 130,000 miles.

   Recall 04V021000

   What to check: Drive the car slowly while braking to a stop and listen for a hard downshift, and check that it engages reverse promptly. Ask for transmission service records and whether the fluid and seals have ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At just 43,000 miles I experienced catastrophic transmission failure. The repair cost over $1400. Now, 13,000 miles and 14 months later I am experiencing the exact same trouble. This essentially equates to an additonal $100 per month in operating expenses.”

   NHTSA complaint #716464, filed 1999-12

   “The transmission in my car failed on 5/6/02. The failure consisted of two types. In one type of failure, the transmission would act like it was in neutral when it was actually in drive, while traveling at highway speeds of 60 MPH. In the second type of failure, the car would not shift above second gear. I called my local Chrysler dealer to ask if the transmission would be repaired for free, and was told no. Subsequently, I had a Chrysler rebuilt transmission installed by an independent garage at a cost of almost $2500.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #764193, filed 2002-07
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Gasoline smell and leaks at the fuel rail

   • 44 complaints (13%)
   • median 116,035 mi at 12.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2015

   Owners report a strong gasoline odor inside and outside the car, sometimes while driving with the heater or air conditioning on, traced to leaking O-rings or hairline cracks in the fuel injection rail. Several describe the fuel rail or O-rings being replaced, with some saying the leak returned after a prior repair and that only one side of the rail was covered by the recall. Mostly described between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles, with a few reports at much higher mileage.

   Recall 98V184000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 98V184000 was performed and whether both fuel rails were addressed, then smell for raw fuel around the engine bay after a drive and look for dampness at the rail fittings.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1994 Chrysler concord 3.3 (flex fuel) liter shuts down while in operation. My heater only blows hot air, fuel can be smelled while vechile is running, mil code 12,11,41 have been displayed,fog or mist coats the inside windows everyday,the front end of my car feel like it's going to rip loose. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10080838, filed 2004-07, 116,035 miles

   “Was driving my car and smelled a strong gas odor. I took it to a garage and they showed me gas leaking from the fuel rail. No repairs have been made as I need the cash first.”

   NHTSA complaint #10137037, filed 2005-09, 96,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS light, soft pedal and warped front rotors

   • 41 complaints (12%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light coming on intermittently, a brake pedal that feels soft or goes toward the floor, and reduced braking during harder stops. Others report front rotors warping at relatively low mileage, with vibration felt through the pedal and steering when braking; some had the ABS control unit replaced at their own cost. Rotors are described as warping from around 30,000 to 40,000 miles; ABS complaints appear across a broad mileage range.

   What to check: Brake firmly from moderate speed and feel for pulsation or a low pedal, and confirm the ABS lamp illuminates at start-up and then goes out. Ask when the rotors and ABS unit were last serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had more problems with this Chrysler than any car I have driven. It is not yet ten years old, but I have had brake work done at least three times totaling 1500.00+dollars. My air conditioning fails every year. The bars on the outside of the car have begun to peel away from the main body. Three inside door handles have broken off from the inside, and I dont even use my rear doors. This will cost me 150.00 per door without including labor. My car is in the shop now because the mechanic is checking it for transmission failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070611, filed 2004-01, 120,000 miles

   “Driving along approximately 35mph and brake light came on, slowing down to make a turn and applied foot to brakes and the only had partial brakes. Took foot off brake and reapplied and the brakes still were partially working.”

   NHTSA complaint #809076, filed 1997-02
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering tie rod wear and sloppy steering

   • 29 complaints (8%)
   • median 99,840 mi at 6.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners describe the car pulling to one side, excessive front-end vibration and vague or wandering steering, traced to worn tie rod ends and, in some cases, a steering gear isolator that let the gear move. Several report repeat replacement within about 30,000 miles, and one notes a tie rod wearing through the transmission wiring in the engine bay. Reported from low mileage up to about 180,000 miles, with some owners describing repeat failures every few tens of thousands of miles.

   Recall 94V024000

   What to check: Ask a mechanic to check tie rod ends and the steering gear mounts for play before buying, and check the transmission wiring harness near the right tie rod for rub marks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1994 Chrysler Concorde which has air-bag problem which I was told would cost me $500 to replace a clock spring by bob baker in carlsbad, ca. I refused stating that daimler Chrysler should treat that as a drive train defect and replace it. I also had a failure of the steering and paid for that out of pocket.”

   NHTSA complaint #10152830, filed 2006-03, 26,000 miles

   “The tie-rods in my 1994 Chrysler Concorde have failed repeatedly since I purchased this vehicle, causing excessive vibrations as well as depleted steering ability. Additionally my steering wheel is approx. 45 degrees offset from center. My dealer replaced my tie-rods at approx. 150,000 miles under warranty purchased with my vehicle. My vehicle is at 173,680 miles now and the tie-rods are once again in need of replacement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10056152, filed 2004-01, 173,680 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling and overheating

   • 22 complaints (6%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2005

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out at speed or at idle and restarting, sometimes after the cruise control lamp flickers, plus persistent overheating despite replacement of the water pump, thermostat, radiator and hoses. One owner reports a plastic timing belt tensioner pulley failing and taking the water pump with it, with a metal replacement part used for the repair. Reported from very low mileage up to about 125,000 miles, with no clear single pattern in the complaints.

   What to check: Ask whether the timing belt and tensioner have been replaced, and check for a history of overheating or repeated cooling system repairs. Note any flickering warning lamps during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Cooling system constant overheat. I have replaced the water pump, thermo stat, radiator, over flow tank cap, and hoses with no avail!? :-( someone please help. The heads are new, and so are the head gaskets. I'm not losing water, and there isn't oil in my water and vice verse. So that would lead me to believe that the engine is still solid? I still have full power until it redlines and shuts itself off!:-( please send any info that could help!”

   NHTSA complaint #10069310, filed 2004-01, 10,000 miles

   “The tensioner pulley that runs the timing belt is made of plastic. The pulley melted causing the timing belt to seize and the water pump to fail. My mechanic called the Chrysler dealer in my area and was informed that this is a known defect in the Concorde. The replacement pulley is made of metal. If this is a known defect that causes such extensive/expensive damage, why is this not a recall? The repair cost me $879.00.”

   NHTSA complaint #730061, filed 2000-09

Buying note. These complaints center on an aging drivetrain, so have a mechanic inspect the transmission, brakes and steering before buying and confirm which open recalls were completed. A documented service history matters more here than mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.