1994 Chrysler LHS Problems
- Complaints
- 324filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles, 29 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Chrysler LHS (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe fuel smells and leaks traced to the fuel injection rail, transmission shifting problems, and front-end steering and suspension wear. Complaints arrive across a wide mileage range, with many filed between roughly 60,000 and 165,000 miles on cars that were already a decade or more old, and several reports involve stalling or loss of power assist while driving.
- Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission slipping, hard shifts and losing gear
- 43 complaints (13%)
- median 116,250 mi at 10.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2006
Owners describe the automatic transmission shuddering between gears, hesitating, bucking, or dropping out of gear so the car revs as if in neutral. Some report going into a limp mode, delayed engagement of reverse or first gear when cold, and slamming into a lower gear at speed. Repairs range from fluid and solenoid work to full rebuilds, and several owners say the dealer could not find a problem on early visits. Mostly between about 50,000 and 130,000 miles, with some reports of repeated failures well before that.
What to check: Drive the car from cold and note any delay engaging reverse or drive, shudder on 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, or flare between gears. Ask for transmission service records and whether the valve body or solenoid pack has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“In july 2004, I purchased a used '94 Chrysler LHS w/95,000 miles in very good condition (exterior/interior) but within the first few weeks I experienced electrical problems (electric current not going to gauges, gauges going haywire), transmission problems (periodic 'limp mode', car erratically surging) and steering problems (rack 7 pinion, inner/outer tie rods). Within a few months I replaced the inner/outer tie rods and front/rear stabilizer links that all improved my front suspension. …”
NHTSA complaint #10146729, filed 2006-01, 124,500 miles“Engine stalls without notice. This is the third time it has happened on the interstate in traffic and could cause an accident. There is no indicatio that it is going to stall. The first sign of a problem is when I press the accelerator pedal there is no response and the oil indicator light comes on . There is also a problem with the transmission not engaging in reverse and low in the the first time I go to drive it in that day. It takes about 2 minutes before I can get it to engage. …”
NHTSA complaint #718377, filed 2000-02 - Fuel system
Fuel smell and leaks from the injection rail
- 77 complaints (24%)
- median 150,500 mi at 11.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2011
Owners describe a strong gasoline odor inside or around the car, sometimes with visible fuel weeping or spraying from the injection rail area on top of the engine. Several report that a shop found a crack or failed O-rings, and that the rail or seals were replaced at the owner's expense. Some complaints mention that a recall covered related parts but that their particular vehicle was said not to be included, or that reimbursement was only partial. Reported from roughly 98,000 to 165,000 miles, often noticed while driving or after the car had been idling.
What to check: Look over the injection rail and its seals for wetness or fuel odor with the engine running, and ask whether recall 98V184000 was performed on this vehicle by VIN. A fuel smell in the cabin should be investigated before regular use.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While on vacation in florida we noticed a strong smell of gas inside the car while driving. After looking the engine over we noticed that the fuel injector rail in the front of the engine was squirting gas out on both sides. Had this happened while we were coming to florida on the long drive the car would have caught fire! This could have caused serious injury to my family and myself. I would like to know if my car was ever recalled to fix this problem? This has ruined our trip to orlando as we missed our reservation time do to this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10068957, filed 2004-01, 164,000 miles“Fuel rail leaked fuel. Chrysler refused to replace. I had to replace at my own cost. In march, this year Chrysler issued safety recall. I sent in invoices from dealer for $500. Chrysler sent me $200. I feel I'm entitles to additional $300; after all, I t was Chrysler's failure to provide a safe vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #704788, filed 1999-03 - Engine cooling
Stalling, no restart and sudden power loss
- 39 complaints (12%)
- median 126,000 mi at 11.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1998–2016
Owners describe the engine quitting without warning at speed or after a stop, sometimes with the oil or check engine light showing first, and sometimes refusing to restart. Shops have reported broken pivot bolts in the camshaft belt tensioner assembly, damaged timing components, and faulty computer modules. In some cases the car was towed repeatedly and the cause was never clearly identified. Reported from about 43,000 to 155,000 miles, including a failure shortly after a timing belt service near 70,000 miles.
What to check: Ask when the timing belt, tensioner and water pump were last replaced and by whom. Note whether the car has ever stalled or needed a tow, and check that recall 94V024000 was addressed for this VIN.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I purchased the car in june 06, car was ok, barely drove it, when the summer arrived more driving. Car stared to shut off while driving the vehicle, numerous time, called tow truck, mechanic. Mechanic says car fuse blowing, major electrical issue. Could not find part to replace wiring chassis and harness. So I kept driving the car, sometimes when turning left car dies out, might restart but might not. Parked the car for a while to sell, cant get a buyer 4 an electrical issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214537, filed 2008-01“Recall 94v024000 concerning electrical system wiring. Consumer has a concern that vehicle stalls while in motion at any speed. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and some repairs were made, but the problem recurred. Dealer was not contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #10094523, filed 2004-09, 43,000 miles - Steering
Steering looseness and front-end clunks
- 29 complaints (9%)
- median 122,250 mi at 11.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- filed 1996–2006
Owners describe play or vagueness in the steering, tie rod and rack-and-pinion wear, and a clunk or rattle over bumps that returned after replacing the rack, struts and tie rods. A few reports describe a bolt at the rack and pinion shearing and the steering becoming very hard to turn. Repair advice from shops has varied, and in some cases the noise persisted after several repairs. Reported from about 60,000 to 125,000 miles, often noticed on rough roads or at low speed maneuvering.
What to check: With the front wheels off the ground, check for play in the tie rods and rack, and listen for clunks over bumps on a test drive. Ask whether the rack, tie rods or stabilizer links have been replaced and whether the noise came back.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Safety alert: while driving, a bolt holding the rack and pinion arm sheared off and the steering failed ! ! ! The steering completely failed. It was inoperable. When I called Chrysler customer service they hung up on me... We just bought a toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #10070175, filed 2004-01, 60,500 miles“On february 2002, 2 bolts connecting to the rack and pinion and tie rods snapped in half and nearly caused me to crash my vehicle. The snapping of the bolts caused the malfunction of the rack and pinion and I had to replace the rack and pinion plus the bolts (from Chrysler). On january 23, 2004 , the exact malfunction occurred again almost causing another accident. I can't understand how a solid steel bolt manufactured by Chrysler can snap in half after only 2 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10055122, filed 2004-01, 126,646 miles - Suspension
Suspension and lower control arm separation
- 31 complaints (10%)
- median 102,250 mi at 10.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1998–2006
Owners describe loud banging from the front end over bumps, a bouncing or wobbling front end, and in some cases a lower control arm pulling away from the frame while backing out of a driveway. Shops have identified cracked or broken control arm mounting brackets and a broken rear suspension arm, and repairs were done at the owner's cost. Reported from about 80,000 to 155,000 miles, sometimes at low speed such as backing out of a driveway.
What to check: Have the front lower control arm brackets and bushings inspected for cracks, and confirm with a dealer whether recall 99V215000 was completed for this vehicle.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Loud noise comes from front end when a bump is hit in the road, we have spent over $800 trying to repair this problem but have not been successful. We have replaced the rack & pinion rack, the struts & the tie rods. We would like some kind of assistance in figuring out this problem. We had several mechanics say it was the rack, we did that & it didn't help at all. I think if Chrysler made a good car, we wouldn't be investing this amount of money in a car. …”
NHTSA complaint #702182, filed 1999-01“While driving at 15 MPH vehicle bounced up and down. The consumer took vehicle to an independent shop to check the problem. Mechanic determined that the rear suspension arm broke.”
NHTSA complaint #10057528, filed 2004-03, 80,000 miles
Buying note. This model year is old enough that condition and service history matter more than the model itself: check for fuel odor around the injection rail, test the transmission from cold, and have the front suspension and steering inspected before buying. Confirm by VIN which open recalls, if any, still apply.
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.
NHTSA recorded 324 consumer complaints for the 1994 Chrysler LHS. 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 7% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 125,000 miles. Of all complaints, 16 involved a crash, 16 a fire, 20 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system82 25%
- Engine cooling50 15%
- Electrical system37 11%
- Brakes34 10%
- Steering30 9.3%
- Body and structure27 8.3%
- Suspension21 6.5%
- Equipment18 5.6%
- Seats16 4.9%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (14), Vehicle speed control (14), Air bags (12), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (10), Other or unknown (9), Latches, locks and linkages (6), Seat belts (2), Engine (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I own a 1994 Chrysler LHS. On jan 2, 2011, I parked the car and turned the ignition off. The car had been making a strange sound (like it was stuck in 3rd gear) for approx 2 months. I had scheduled an appointment with my mechanic for jan 4,2011. What I thought was steam start rising from under the hood, but then I saw bright red, yellow and orange flames along the hoods edge. My passenger and I exited the vehicle and began running. Within 15 seconds flames shot 30 feet in the air. I called 911 and fire and police responded. …”
NHTSA complaint #10375301, filed 2011-01, 145,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Prior to receiving the floor shift ignition-park interlock recall 04v021000 notice, the defect occurred. This resulted in vehicle rolling backwards, down the driveway into a neighbor's yard, and crashing into a tree, breaking the rear tail lights.”
NHTSA complaint #10117011, filed 2005-03, 125,000 milesEngine cooling: “Fire in engine compartment that totally destroyed car. There was a large puddle of gas in driveway under car prior to fire. Car had been idling in driveway for about 10 to 15 min. Before driving the kids to the bus stop. Wife and kids were in car with engine running and had smelled something like fuel. First bus had picked up 2 kids left then wife saw smoke heard noise saw flames from under hood and got other children out of car just before passenger compartment was starting to burn. Car was totally burned through out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013624, filed 2003-03, 160,000 milesElectrical system: “Takata recall; my transmission goes in limp mode often and I smell electric wiring burning in side my vehicle, under dash or under hood some were?! The vehicle was in motion on a city streets.”
NHTSA complaint #10957151, filed 2017-02Mileage when problems were reported
7% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 98,300 and 147,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1994 Chrysler LHS. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHS · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V021000Jan 13, 2004Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shiftCovers: Chrysler LHS 1993–1999, Dodge Intrepid 1993–1999, Chrysler Concorde 1993–1999 +6 more
On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock may fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. An inoperative interlock may also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been…
- 99V215000Aug 9, 1999Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower armCovers: Chrysler LHS 1993–1995, Eagle Vision 1993–1995, Dodge Intrepid 1993–1995 +2 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm attaching brackets can crack due to fatigue and separate from the engine cradle.
- 98V184000Aug 6, 1998Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection systemCovers: Chrysler LHS 1993–1997, Eagle Vision 1993–1997, Dodge Intrepid 1993–1997 +3 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with 3.5l engines. The fuel injection delivery system can leak fuel from some of the sealing o-rings or from hair line cracks in the thermoset fuel injection rail.
- 94V024000Feb 8, 1994Electrical system › WiringCovers: Chrysler LHS 1994, Dodge Intrepid 1994, Chrysler Concorde 1994 +2 more
The right steering tie rod can rub through the automatic transmission wiring harness causing a short circuit which results in electrical system malfunctions including engine stalling and an inoperative park/starter interlock system.
Recall details for the 1994 Chrysler LHS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE98044Engine cradle/control arm bracket weldClosed · Aug 11, 1998
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10130081Aug 23, 2016Electrical system. Return: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock packaged before 2016/07/31 (31 July, 2016)of follow ing…
- 10130080Aug 22, 2016Equipment, Exterior lighting. 05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 05182535AD . See…
- 10130079Aug 22, 2016Equipment. Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part numbers…
- 10129047Aug 18, 2016Equipment. Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
- 10129045Aug 18, 2016Equipment. CBXDP361AA Return: Spacer Kit - Visor You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock of part number CBXDP361AA. Replacement part…
- 10129044Aug 17, 2016Electrical system. 1NT30XDVAC - Inspect and Return: Panel - Instrument Panel You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 1N…
- 10129043Aug 17, 2016Electrical system. Inspect and Return: Solenoid Module - Transmission You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of follow ing part…
- 10129042Aug 17, 2016Equipment. Return: Lamp Assy - CHMSL& Cargo Light You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return all stock of follow ing part numbers:55372082AE…
- 10129041Aug 12, 2016Electrical system. P/N CBSZR068AA: Inspect & Return: Module Kit - Occupant Restraint You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return part number CBSZR068AA…
- 10129046Jun 2, 2016Equipment. Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
Other model years of the Chrysler LHS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 22 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 83 | 58,337 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 165 | 60,000 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 79 | 121,454 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 135 | 99,560 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 148 | 106,985 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 324 | 125,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chrysler LHS model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Chrysler LHS?
Owners of this model year most often describe fuel smells and leaks traced to the fuel injection rail, transmission shifting problems, and front-end steering and suspension wear. The issues reported most often: Transmission slipping, hard shifts and losing gear; Fuel smell and leaks from the injection rail; Stalling, no restart and sudden power loss.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1994 Chrysler LHS have?
NHTSA recorded 324 consumer complaints for the 1994 Chrysler LHS as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1994 Chrysler LHS is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 82 complaints (25% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 61.
Has the 1994 Chrysler LHS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1994 Chrysler LHS reported?
Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 125,000 miles and the middle half falls between 98,300 and 147,000 miles; 7% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.