1997 Chrysler LHS Problems
- Complaints
- 79filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 121,454miles, 23 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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 1997 Chrysler LHS (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often write about fuel smells and leaks traced to the fuel injection rail and its O-rings, a recurring theme that sometimes returns years after the related recall repair. The next largest groups describe brake pedal pulsation and steering-wheel shake from warped rotors, and looseness or loss of steering tied to inner tie rods. Most reports arrive between roughly 70,000 and 145,000 miles, and many describe gradual onset over repeated repair attempts rather than a single sudden failure.
- Fuel system
Fuel smell or leak from the injection rail area
- 16 complaints (20%)
- median 126,600 mi at 12.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1999–2011
Owners describe a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin or around the front of the engine, often noticed at startup, with the heat or air conditioning running, or after parking in a garage. Several say fuel was found pooling on top of the engine or visibly leaking from the injection area, and a few mention a flashing check engine light with rough running. Dealers and shops variously replaced O-rings, the fuel rail, or injectors; some owners report the odor returned after an earlier recall repair and that they were charged for repeat work. Reports cluster from roughly 100,000 to 160,000 miles, but the odor is also described on lower-mileage cars, often at startup or when the climate controls are on.
What to check: Smell the engine bay and cabin after a cold start and after a drive; look for wet residue around the injection rail and ask for service records showing whether the fuel injection recall work was done and when.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Car has had bad fuel leak now for a month , it is an injector that I am certain was replaced by the local dealer two years ago , but even though they have diagnosed it, they are claiming they replaced a different injector to the leaking one ,and therefore is not covered under their warranty. I continue to drive the vehicle with the leak .”
NHTSA complaint #10440227, filed 2011-12, 140,000 miles“Consumer states fuel is leaking onto top of engine. Nlm the problem was supposedly corrected by a previous recall, but consumer smelled fuel and found fuel in the valley of the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #8019856, filed 2002-09, 110,000 miles - Brakes
Warped front rotors, pedal pulsation and wheel shake
- 7 complaints (9%)
- typically at 2.4 yrs old
- filed 1998–2002
Complaints describe vibration through the steering wheel and a pulsing pedal when braking, sometimes with a roaring noise from the front and longer stopping distances. Several owners had rotors replaced or resurfaced more than once and saw the pulsation return within a modest number of miles. Some say the dealer serviced the brakes but the chatter never fully went away, and a few report an intermittent ABS light with a low pedal. Reported from around 33,000 to 100,000 miles, often after repeated hard stops or on cars that sat with rusted rotors.
What to check: Test-brake from highway speed on a clear road and feel for pedal pulsing or wheel shimmy; check rotor condition and thickness and ask how recently the front brakes were serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“We replaced the warped rotors on april 10, 1998 and have since had them turned twice. Of course none of this was under waranty. We were wondering if there were others with the same problem and if it could be something wrong with the car to cause this repetitive problem. Other vehicles that we have owned did not present these problems for the life of the car.”
NHTSA complaint #701756, filed 1998-12“At 32800 miles original rotors warped and were replaced. At 42800, the 2nd rotor set warped. In both cases, I was driving on washington's beltway, and had to stop fast (not a panic stop) from 50mph to 0. (no contact was made with other car) after I rounded a curve. The rotors warped again and caused the car to vibrate . The rotors' design is inadequate. What would happen if I had to make more than one hard stop before the brakes had a chance to cool off? I don't understand the summary as recorded below.”
NHTSA complaint #702998, filed 1999-02 - Steering
Loose or failing inner tie rods and steering play
- 8 complaints (10%)
- median 137,000 mi at 8.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 1999–2010
Owners describe vague or sloppy steering, the car wandering or jerking sideways over bumps and potholes, and in some cases a total loss of steering response with the wheel turning freely. Shops identified loose inner tie rods, a failed steering rack, or broken tie rod bolts and brackets. In several accounts the problem was found right after purchase, and in others it developed over time with no warning. Mostly described between roughly 105,000 and 175,000 miles, sometimes noticed immediately after buying a used car.
What to check: Have a shop check inner and outer tie rods and the rack for play before buying, and road-test over uneven pavement to feel for wander or a steering wheel that moves without resistance.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My 1997 Chrysler LHS completely lost all steering,the steering wheel went from one side to another with no resistance at all and the wheels never moved,luckily it was in a parking lot and not driving my grandkids.”
NHTSA complaint #10328658, filed 2010-05, 137,000 miles“(1) events: normal driving. (2) loss of steering control on 1997 Chrysler LHS. Due to luck there was no accident or injury, although failure at a different time would easily have resulted in severe injury or death. Failure is not yet fully analyzed, but appears to be due to failure of either inner tie rod bushing or inner tie rod mounting bolt. Steering control of left side front wheel was completely lost. I will provide update when exact nature of failure is available. For legal reasons I am proceeding carefully in analyzing this failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100377, filed 2004-11, 108,214 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission shudder, delayed upshifts and loss of drive
- 6 complaints (8%)
- typically at 3.9 yrs old
- filed 1999–2002
Complaints describe a shudder around 40 mph, delayed or missing upshifts after the car has been driven for a while, and in some cases a drop to low power or reverse only. Owners report transmission replacement at their own expense in some cases and dealer disputes over who pays for the repair. A separate but related theme is the car rolling or moving while the shifter was in park. Described from around 95,000 to 115,000 miles, often after 30 minutes or more of driving.
What to check: Test drive long enough for the transmission to warm up and watch for shudder or late shifts; check that the shifter locks in park and that the key cannot be removed unless it is in park.
An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Not long after buying this used vehicle with about 95,000 miles, I noticed a shudder when I got up to about 40 MPH. Now after driving only 20,000 miles it won't upshift after being driven for about 30 minutes and shudders at take off. The dealership won't bill Chrysler for the $2100 tranny repair. I can't afford to be without a vehicle, and a repair bill in that amount or another car payment may put me under. This is very stressing. This is the newest used car I've owned and I thought it'd be reliable. I'll never buy a Chrysler again.”
NHTSA complaint #764943, filed 2002-07
Buying note. These are older, high-mileage cars, so a pre-purchase inspection covering the fuel injection area, steering linkage, brakes and transmission is worth more than the asking price of most repairs. Ask for records of the fuel injection recall and any transmission or shifter interlock work, and budget for at least one significant repair in the first year.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 56 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 79 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chrysler LHS. 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 121,454 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 21 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 system24 30%
- Brakes11 14%
- Steering10 13%
- Engine cooling9 11%
- Electrical system5 6.3%
- Seat belts4 5.1%
- Exterior lighting3 3.8%
- Suspension3 3.8%
Also reported: Air bags (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Body and structure (2), Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I noticed a gas smell while driving and thought that since I had recently put gas into the vehicle that that was what I smelled. The smell persisted and I had the hood open and I noticed that gas was gushing out of the front middle part of the engine. My engine light had come on and it was flashing on and off so I parked it and it now sits. I rely on my car to get to work. I was told that a fire could start and I feared for my safey and others around me.”
NHTSA complaint #11175093, filed 2019-02, 160,000 milesBrakes: “The contact owns a 1997 Chrysler LHS. While the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance, the transmission pan was cleaned. Several hours after the repair, while driving in reverse, the accelerator pedal became stuck in the applied position. The contact was unable to apply the brakes. She had to remove the key from the ignition in order to stop the vehicle. The dealer replaced the master cylinder, but the failure recurred several weeks later. She is in the process of taking the vehicle back to the dealer for a proper diagnosis. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260789, filed 2009-03, 97,000 milesEngine cooling: “I drive a 1997 Chrysler LHS. I have 2 issues both covered under recalls that Chrysler has performed. 1. Evaporator failed - Chrysler added an addendum to increase the warranty on this to 71,000 miles. Mine failed at 53k and I had a independant mechanic repair my car. Total cost was around $1,000. Called Chrysler and they simply said they would not cover the cost of the repair. I asked why and the help desk person said a tech told him we won't cover the costs. The repairs we're made last year. If it's covered and their addendum states it will ocver it how are they allowed to skirt past this? 2. …”
NHTSA complaint #10072610, filed 2004-05, 53,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
9% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 97,000 and 132,000 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 1997 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…
- 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.
Recall details for the 1997 Chrysler LHS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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. 21 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty…
- 10220101Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169247Nov 20, 2019Equipment. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10169245Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 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, 2016Exterior lighting, Equipment. 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…
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 1997 Chrysler LHS?
Owners of this model year most often write about fuel smells and leaks traced to the fuel injection rail and its O-rings, a recurring theme that sometimes returns years after the related recall repair. The issues reported most often: Fuel smell or leak from the injection rail area; Warped front rotors, pedal pulsation and wheel shake; Loose or failing inner tie rods and steering play.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Chrysler LHS have?
NHTSA recorded 79 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chrysler LHS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Chrysler LHS is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 24 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes with 11.
Has the 1997 Chrysler LHS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 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 1997 Chrysler LHS reported?
Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 121,454 miles and the middle half falls between 97,000 and 132,000 miles; 9% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.