1995 Chrysler Concorde Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe failures in the steering system — particularly tie rod and rack-and-pinion parts coming loose or breaking — along with automatic transmission shifting and slipping problems. Complaints tend to arrive at higher mileage, commonly past 80,000 and often beyond 120,000 miles, and several describe sudden loss of steering or driveability rather than gradual wear.

1. 1
   Steering

   Tie rod and rack-and-pinion steering failure

   • 35 complaints (16%)
   • median 117,500 mi at 11.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2011

   Owners describe the steering wheel turning freely while the front wheels do not respond, sometimes after a loud snap or pop, and in some cases the tie rod or its mounting bolt separates from the rack. Others report excessive play or a wandering front end traced to worn inner tie rod bushings, with replacements repeated more than once. Complaints say dealers often recommended a new rack and pinion assembly, and some owners report being told the work was not covered. Mostly reported between roughly 85,000 and 165,000 miles, sometimes while turning at low speed or backing out of a parking space.

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the inner and outer tie rods, bushings and rack boots for play, rust or looseness before buying, and ask whether the rack and tie rods have ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1.trying to make a left hand turn from a green light and wheel wont turn to the left. Almost got in an accident from behind.3. I was told I need a power steering rackcosting over $950.00 from pep boys in woodbury.money I dont have to correct problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10098152, filed 2004-11, 124,000 miles

   “- the contact called regarding a 1995 Chrysler Concorde. The contact stated that exiting a ramp at 10-15 MPH the tie rod bolts fell off the steering system. The contact stated he had no steering and the wheels would not turn. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. He had a small bolt and put it in the steering system and was able to drive the vehicle home at 3 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the Chrysler dealer and was told the vehicle needed a new rack and pinion. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10181343, filed 2007-02, 110,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, harsh shifting and failure

   • 38 complaints (17%)
   • median 108,404 mi at 9.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2009

   Complaints describe transmissions that slip, buck, make popping or clunking noises, shift harshly on downshift, or stop engaging a gear entirely, sometimes requiring a restart to move again. Several owners report rebuilds or transaxle replacement, and some say dealers could not reproduce or diagnose the intermittent problem. Burnt fluid and internal damage were noted in some repair estimates. Reported across a wide range, often from about 100,000 to 190,000 miles, and in some cases shortly after a prior rebuild.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check transmission fluid condition and smell, drive through all gears including a firm downshift, and ask for service records showing any rebuild or solenoid pack work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission failure, I read that Chrysler had a recall on transmissions for the 95 Chrysler Concorde, due to shifting problems, my 95 Chrysler Concorde, drove fine and then suddenly stopped, if I shut off the engine, then restart it, it will drive, until it tries to shift to second then it will not drive anymore, at all, until I shut it off and then restart it, then it will immediately drive again. I was told by a mechanic that it is most likely a solenoid shift pack, which was recalled by Chrysler.”

   NHTSA complaint #10266990, filed 2009-04, 190,000 miles

   “My vehicle does not change into second gear. I found out while I was in heavy traffic and became a hazard to other drivers. When in reverse, it has a clunk noise when the gas is applied. The problem came all of a sudden without warning. There are also computer and ignition problems with this vehicle. It sounds like there is crackling in the dashboard when the heater is on, the ignition switch cannot be turned all the way to the on position when the car is on or the ABS light will come on and prevents function of the heater.”

   NHTSA complaint #10252243, filed 2008-12, 166,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and fuel rail leaks

   • 27 complaints (12%)
   • median 98,507 mi at 11.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2016

   Owners report a strong gasoline smell from the engine compartment, especially after stopping or on cold starts, and in some cases fuel found on the engine with a cracked fuel rail or leaking line. Some complaints say the repair was reported as necessary to avoid a fire, and one owner notes the vehicle was not covered by the related recall because of its VIN. Reported from about 60,000 to 100,000 miles, often noticed when parking or starting the car in the morning.

   Recall 98V184000

   What to check: Smell the engine bay after a drive and with the engine cold, look for wet or stained areas around the injection rail and lines, and ask whether recall 98V184000 was completed for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We took the car to the dealer to have a transmission line leak fixed (replacement of the line). We alos smelled a gasoline smell when starting the car in the morning. The dealer informed us that there was also a fuel leak in a line on the engine. The delaer told us that the line needed to be replaced or it could cause a fire. We let them have the vehicle and they said it would be fixed in a week. …”

   NHTSA complaint #702204, filed 1999-01

   “Front end struts wre replaced after reporting clunking noise in front end when car was placed in reverse. One year later, while enroute from pennsylvania to washington on vacation, the steering broke when backing out of a parking space in an underground parking lot in south bend, in. Rack and pinion was repaired by dealership in south bend. Started to smell gas fumes in vehicle while driving to washington. Tried to get repairs in south dakota but was unable to find a dealership who would repair it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #715836, filed 1999-12
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 22 complaints (10%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 10.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners report the engine cutting out at speed or while accelerating, sometimes restarting on its own while coasting and sometimes needing a short wait before it restarts. Some complaints describe replacing the catalytic converter and muffler on advice that those were the cause, with the stalling returning soon after. Others mention fuel odor and rough idle along with the stalling. Typically reported between about 80,000 and 110,000 miles, on both short trips and highway driving.

   What to check: Ask whether stalling has been diagnosed and what was replaced; have the ignition, fuel and sensor systems checked, and note any fuel smell around the engine bay.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1995 Chrysler Concorde will stall while driving down the road. It is an automatic transmission. If you put the car in neutral and turn off the ignition, the car will start again in a few seconds. This happens at any speed, accelerating, decelerating and it was impossible to up a hill whithout the car stalling. We replaced the catalytic converter, and muffler - which we were told were the cause. This worked for about 2 weeks - then the problem started again. Now the car wont even start.”

   NHTSA complaint #10108424, filed 2005-02, 100,000 miles

   “Vehicle purchased used but still under warranty. Had it at the dealer's almost 3 months for repair to stop the shaking at idle in drive with feet on the brakes. After almost 3 month's at 2 different dealerships we were told that the awful shake the vehicle had was”

   NHTSA complaint #700127, filed 1998-10
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks and water pump replacement

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe coolant pooling on the ground or sprayed across the engine and wiring, traced to a failed water pump, with one owner reporting a third pump replacement. One complaint describes the engine seizing after a pump failure, which also took out power steering assist. Owners say dealers were aware of the pattern. Reported at varying mileage, often on older vehicles with prior cooling-system work.

   What to check: Look for coolant residue or dried spray near the pump and hoses, check the coolant level and color, and ask when the water pump and belts were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We are now about to put in our 3rd 95 cirrus transmission and 2nd 95 Concorde transmission and feel that Chrysler should pay for the cost of repairs. I have shelled out nearly $12,000 between the two cars in the last 6 years for repeated failures in engines, water pumps, steering assembly failures, transmissions, brake systems, radios, air conditioners, fuel rails, alternators and computer PCM's to name a few. By far the worst quality cars and highest cost of ownership of any cars I have owned in the last 30 years. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10071236, filed 2004-01

   “Intermittent ABS brake system failure, complete loss of braking. Tt stalling occurs when engine is cold and warm, engine noisy. Harsh downshift. Odor comes from vents when AC is on. Sporadic climate control. Abs light illuminated, dealer replaced ABS module.”

   NHTSA complaint #973519, filed 1995-10

Buying note. On a car of this age, the steering linkage and transmission are the areas most worth a pre-purchase inspection, since both are described in complaints as failing with little warning. Service records showing steering, cooling-system and transmission work — plus confirmation of any open recalls — give the clearest picture of how well a specific example has been maintained.

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.