1996 Chrysler Concorde Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about front-end and steering work: complaints describe worn rack-and-pinion mounts, tie-rod bushings and steering gear looseness that bring clunks, wandering, and in some cases loss of steering response. Fuel smells from the injection rail area and, on the 2.7L engine, oil sludge and stalling also come up. Reports are spread across a wide mileage range, from under 50,000 miles to well past 150,000.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering rack mounts, tie rods and bushings worn

   • 41 complaints (25%)
   • median 65,130 mi at 8.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,078 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2009

   Complaints describe clunking or popping from the front end, steering that wanders or pulls, and a steering wheel that jumps or vibrates. Owners say dealers identified worn rack-and-pinion mounts, tie-rod ends and bushings, and in several cases the rack itself was replaced, sometimes more than once. Some reports describe the car continuing straight while the wheel is turned, or bolts shearing at the rack. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 240,000 miles, with many between 45,000 and 90,000; some owners note popping and stiff steering on cold mornings.

   What to check: Ask for service records on the rack, tie rods and rack mount bushings, and have a shop check for play and clunking with the front end raised. Listen for popping while turning the wheel at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1996 Chrysler Concorde and while driving had the tie rod bolts break completely off from the rack, since I have had the bushings and bolts replaced twice, and am still in need of rack mount bushings as they have failed and I now once again feel the car floating where ever it wants to go on the road. The rack mount bushings are approx. $53 for two and I am in need of four. I work barely part time and cannot afford to continue to fix a problem that shouldn't even exist. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10225921, filed 2008-04, 240,000 miles

   “I have a 1996 Chrysler Concorde lxi. My brother in law has one the same year and model also. We both have the same problem. The steering gear bushings wear out and allows the steering to wander. I have come very close to having an accident as well as my brother in law while going around a corner and expecting the car to follow the direction of steering but instead the car wanted to go straight until the steering gear had traveled as far as it could go then the steering reacted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10046986, filed 2003-11, 46,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks at the injection rail seals

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 116,500 mi at 13.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2013

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell from the engine compartment and, in some cases, fuel dripping near the injector O-rings or the outlet of the fuel rail. Several complaints mention hairline cracks in the rail and note that a recall covered the 3.5L engine, while their car had a different engine or a VIN outside the campaign. Some say the recall repair was done but the smell or leak returned, or that the seals were never replaced. Reported from about 45,000 to 200,000 miles, appearing both while parked and while driving.

   Recall 98V184000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 98V184000 was performed and whether the rail and injector O-rings were actually replaced; check for a fuel smell under the hood after the engine is warm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Strong smell of gasoline coming from the engine compartment on my 1996 Chrysler Concorde lxi 3.5l VIN f. This car was bought used in september 2010 and the odor has become much stronger in the past 3 months. I am fearing a fire may occur. Gas mileage has greatly decreased to about 12-15 MPH.”

   NHTSA complaint #10409143, filed 2011-06, 157,600 miles

   “On 03/21/2007 I was coming from work and smelled gasoline, on having my vehicle checked by a local mechanic, it was discovered that the fuel rail and the fuel line had become disengaged. As I had the fuel rail changed under a recall order back in 11/2007, I contacted the dealer that had completed the work back then. I was advised that if it was their fault the repairs would be made at no charge. If not I would be charged $75 per hr. It was agreed that the dealer would pick up the vehicle on 03/22/2007. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10186149, filed 2007-03, 200,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front subframe and cradle mount bushings deteriorated

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 9.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2012

   Owners report a rattle or thumping from the front of the car over bumps and while braking, traced to the rubber insulators holding the front cradle or subframe. Complaints describe the rubber drying out and flaking apart, with the cradle moving on its mounting bolts. Some also mention struts and ball joints being replaced at the same time. Reported mostly between about 40,000 and 150,000 miles; one owner notes the bushings were dried out at 75,000 miles.

   What to check: Have the car inspected on a lift for cracked or missing cradle mount bushings and check for rattles on a rough-road test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving my 1996 Chrysler Concorde, I noticed the front end shaking, and a very loud thumping noise when starting and slowing down. After taking the car to my mechanic, he found that the entire rubber end of the joint was gone. Only the metal bushing remained. The mounting bushings that hold the forward cradle or subframe on are completely rotted away. The noise is from the entire front cradle of the car traveling up and down the mounting bolts and slamming into the floorboard of the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10026101, filed 2003-07, 49,000 miles

   “Very dangerous! When driving my 1996 Chrysler Concorde that my daughter uses to get to school, I noticed the front end shaking, and a very loud thumping noise when starting and slowing down. When I returned home, I did a visual inspection under the car and saw that the right front tire had good tread except on the inner edge, where the metal belt was showing through. This was the same side where my mechanic just changed the steering end after finding the entire rubber end of the joint gone. Only the metal bushing remained. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10020588, filed 2003-05, 133,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine sludge and stalling on the 2.7L engine

   • 14 complaints (9%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2009

   Complaints describe the oil light flickering, engine noise, and the engine shutting down while driving and not restarting. Owners say dealers attributed the damage to sludge buildup and declined warranty or extended-warranty coverage despite regular oil changes. Others report coolant loss with no visible leak, followed by overheating and water pump replacement. Reported between roughly 50,000 and 90,000 miles, with one owner noting the oil light flickering several thousand miles earlier.

   What to check: Ask about oil change records and look for sludge under the oil cap; check coolant level and look for residue around the water pump and hoses.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving 70 MPH down the highway when the car shuddered. I took an off ramp by the time I reached the end of the off ramp the car had died and would not restart. The extended warranty I purchased is no good, due to bankrupty. The dealer insisted I tow it to them and they would work with me to help pay for the repair. They then blamed me completely and refused to help me at all. This is the second major repair to this car. First bushings and then bolts coming out the powersteering housing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070724, filed 2004-01, 81,000 miles

   “I use to own a 1996 Chrysler Concorde lxi I have encountered several problems, such as my wheels falling off, looseness in the steering. A Chrysler dealership stated the car should not be driven on the road at all! My engine failed while driving 45 m.p.h., all power to the car died. I have been talking to several Concorde owners and this is a well know problem with these. I stop making payment for this car after the original dealership where I brought it from would not fix it while under warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10010879, filed 2003-03, 49,555 miles

Buying note. These cars are old enough that condition matters more than the model itself: get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the steering rack, bushings and cradle mounts, and confirm whether the fuel rail recall was completed. Service records for oil changes and cooling system work are worth having.

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.