1995 Chrysler NEW Yorker Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe front-end and steering wear: tie rod ends, bushings and rack-and-pinion parts needing replacement, with complaints of vibration, wandering and, in a few cases, loss of steering. A second cluster involves fuel smell in the cabin traced to the fuel injection rail and lines, and several complaints describe a brake pedal that sinks toward the floor or a front-end shudder under braking.

1. 1
   Steering

   Tie rod and steering rack wear; loose or lost steering

   • 14 complaints (24%)
   • median 32,427 mi at 8.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe the front end wandering or shaking at speed, hard steering when turning, clunking when turning the wheel, and play in the steering. Owners say dealers or mechanics replaced tie rod ends, inner tie rod bushings and, in some cases, the rack and pinion; a few complaints describe bolts holding the rack shearing and steering being lost while pulling out of a parking space. Several owners note the work was done at what they considered low mileage, and one complaint notes the bolts supplied as replacements looked differently finished from the originals. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 32,000 to roughly 59,000 miles and higher, often during low-speed maneuvering or turning.

   What to check: Have the front end inspected on a lift and ask for records of tie rod, bushing and rack work; check for play in the steering and for uneven front tire wear on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While backing out of a parking place the two bolts that hold the short rack to the frame sheered off at the frame causing complete loss of steering. The new bolts obtained from Chrysler were gold in color instead of black like the originals which indicated to my mechanic that the new ones had a different heat treating process. I have the bolts and pieces plus pictures of same and will provide either upon request. Had I not been in a parking lot this could have been a desaster. …”

   NHTSA complaint #750984, filed 2001-08

   “Had new tires put on. Noticed that the front tires were wearing out when making a right hand turn. The wheels would whistle, and when coming down a hill and applying brakes,the front wheels shimmied very badly, especially when traveling at 45mph. Contacted the dealer, dealer inspected vehicle, and told consumer that bushings/tie rods and ball joints wore out”

   NHTSA complaint #852815, filed 1999-11
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell in cabin from fuel rail or lines

   • 9 complaints (15%)
   • median 123,800 mi at 22.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2017

   Owners describe a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin, especially through the vents while idling or warming up, sometimes with visible vapors under the hood. Complaints say the cause was traced to a cracked or leaking fuel injection rail or a leaking line or O-rings, and that the rail or line was replaced. Some complaints reference the fuel injection leak recall and describe delays getting parts or being told their vehicle was not covered. Reported at varied mileages, including one complaint near 124,000 miles; several describe noticing the smell while the engine idled or warmed up.

   Recall 98V184000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 98V184000 was performed on this vehicle by VIN, and smell for fuel around the engine bay and inside the cabin after a cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently bought this vehicle (october 2016) from the original owner who had it up until now. We smelled gas coming in the vents when idling and warming up. We saw vapors coming out from the hood and the strong gas smell was clearly injector leaking somewhere on the engine and coming into the cab. We took it to a local auto dealer and they agreed immediately what the problem is and explain it was faulty fuel line by Chrysler.”

   NHTSA complaint #10957435, filed 2017-02, 123,800 miles

   “My car had a recall on it, and when I called the manufacturer and asked them to look up my VIN number to see if my car had been properly serviced, they told me that the VIN I provided did not have a recall on it. I took it as if they were saying the recall had been properly handled, but when questioned further I was told that my specific car did not have a recall at all. I explained to them that I had seen where the 95 Chrysler New Yorker had a fuel system recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10585105, filed 2014-04
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinking to the floor / weak braking

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 9.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2004

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going almost to the floor before the car slows, needing to be pumped or reapplied, and an ABS light coming on intermittently. Owners report master cylinder and ABS unit replacement in some cases, while others say the dealer found nothing wrong. One complaint attributes rusted brake lines to air-conditioner condensate draining onto them. Reported from roughly 64,000 miles upward, under ordinary braking and also when braking over bumps or on snow.

   What to check: Check pedal firmness with the engine running and look for fluid weeping or rust on the brake lines; ask whether the master cylinder or ABS unit has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When applying the brakes the brake pedal has to be pressed almost to the floor before the vehicle will stop. Also, ABS light comes on intermittently. When it does the defroster comes on automatically.”

   NHTSA complaint #10054012, filed 2004-01, 64,000 miles

   “While driving about any MPH could go over a rock, then step on the brake pedal. It will be hard, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer could not determine what wa scausing the problem. Please provide more information.”

   NHTSA complaint #8002251, filed 2002-01
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front-end vibration and shimmy under braking

   • 8 complaints (14%)
   • median 115,213 mi at 9.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2005

   Owners describe the front end shaking or shimmying at highway speeds, particularly around 45 mph or when braking downhill, along with uneven front tire wear. Complaints say inspections found worn bushings, tie rod ends and ball joints, and one references recall 99V215000 for lower control arm bracket cracking while noting the vehicle was not covered. Reported from about 32,000 miles up to very high mileage around 198,000 miles, most often at highway speed or under braking.

   Recall 99V215000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 99V215000 was completed for this VIN, and check control arm brackets, ball joints and bushings for cracks or play; drive at highway speed and brake firmly to feel for shudder.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While running gas is runs out into the fuel injectors. Also, when applying the brakes front end of the vehicle vibrates. Tires on the vehicle were damaged. Dealer contacted, did not provide any help. .et.”

   NHTSA complaint #833090, filed 1999-01

   “The contact stated there is a NHTSA recall campaign 99v215000 regarding the suspension. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The vehicle has not been repaired.”

   NHTSA complaint #10146230, filed 2005-12, 198,000 miles

Buying note. Given the age of this model year, condition and maintenance records matter more than anything else: have the steering, front suspension and brakes inspected before purchase, and confirm whether the fuel system and suspension recalls were completed for the specific VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 37 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.