Chrysler
The Chrysler Corporation enjoys a storied reputation as one of the classic “Big Three” automakers in the United States. For 100 years, Chrysler has produced dozens of memorable brands, some lasting in production for decades. Today, Chrysler is part of a larger automotive group – Stellantis – which has taken Chrysler’s place in the “Big Three” configuration, while Chrysler itself only produces two models. Even with only two models in production, vehicles continue to roll off the assembly line with significant performance and safety defects, affecting critical components from airbags and rear-view cameras to transmissions and traction control systems.
Learn about the history and present status of Chrysler below. If you own or lease a Chrysler in California with significant defects affecting your vehicle’s use, safety, or value that cannot be satisfactorily repaired under the car’s warranty, contact Nita Lemon Law Firm in Los Angeles to explore your rights to a refund, replacement, or compensation under California lemon law protections.
Chrysler Facts and Figures
Chrysler has traveled a long and winding road from its roots at the dawn of the automotive industry and inclusion among the Big Three American automakers to where it stands today. The American Chrysler Corporation was founded by American industrialist and automotive industry executive Walter Chrysler in 1925 and was one of the first manufacturers, along with General Motors and Ford, to start producing multiple brands, filling every niche from economy to marquee.
Chrysler maintained its independence for decades but eventually merged with Daimler-Benz in 1998, creating a new entity named DaimlerChrysler. Yet Chrysler was sold off by DaimlerChrysler in 2007 and was acquired by Fiat, becoming a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, giving it the corporate name FCA US, LLC, as it is known today.
But that’s not the end of Chrysler’s story as a corporate entity. Today Chrysler, or FCA US, LLC, is a subsidiary of Stellantis and does business as Stellantis North America. In addition to producing Chryslers, Stellantis North America also sells Doge, Jeep & Ram trucks, has its own parts division (Mopar), and additionally distributes Fiat, Maserati and Alfa Romeo models in North America.
Notably, Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009 and emerged from bankruptcy with the help of a billion-dollar government bailout. FCA sales in the U.S. top one million vehicles annually, although Chrysler brands account for only about ten percent of sales, with Jeep, Ram and Dodge making up the difference.
Chrysler Vehicles Today – Pacifica and Voyager
Once a prolific producer of iconic brands, Chrysler has had over 40 models in production over the decades. Many well-known brands, although no longer in production, still live on in memory (and many are still on the road), including the Chrysler Cordoba, Sebring, Fifth Avenue, Imperial, LeBaron, New Yorker Fifth Avenue, Town and Country, PT Cruiser, Crossfire, Neon, E-Class, Cirrus, and many more.
Today, however, the Chrysler production line is limited to only two models, the Pacifica and Voyager minivans. The current Pacifica is a sixth-generation minivan that replaced the former Town and Country and has been in production since 2017. The Voyager and Grand Voyager minivans took the place of the Dodge Grand Caravan in 2020. The Voyager is a lower-end model compared to the Pacifica.
Chrysler might only have to bother with two models in production these days, but even these vehicles do not always roll off the assembly line trouble-free.
Chrysler Safety Defects and Recalls
Chrysler Pacifica minivans and sedans have been subject to several recalls in recent years due to serious issues. Some of the biggest recalls over the last decade include:
- 2016 – Over 800,000 Pacificas were recalled due to a confusing electronic gear selector, which could leave drivers to erroneously believe the vehicle was in Park when it was actually in gear.
- 2017 – Over 150,000 Pacificas were called back for engine stalling issues due to the crankshaft position sensor being out of sync with the engine control software.
- 2018 – FCA US, LLC, recalled a whopping 4.8 million vehicles due to problems with canceling cruise control.
All of these problems could increase the risk of a serious crash, and in fact, several reported injuries have possibly been linked to one or more of the above defects. As of this writing, none of the above recalls have been fully completed, or the completion data is unknown.
Several other big recalls are currently ongoing as well. One of the largest is a recall of 250,000 model year 2022-2025 Pacifica and Voyager minivans due to airbag defects that fail Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 226 Ejection Mitigation. The side curtain airbags may not inflate with sufficient pressure due to improperly sealed seams.
Meanwhile, a much smaller number of Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) have been recalled due to a risk of fire emanating from the battery pack, even when the car is turned off. Owners of affected vehicles are cautioned not to drive their vehicles and to park them outside and away from structures until the issue can be addressed. This recall affects PHEV Pacificas from 2019-2021 and follows on the heels of a previous recall for model years 2017-2018 for the same issue.
In another ongoing recall issued just last year, the Chrysler Pacifica along with over a million units including Jeep, Dodge and Ram trucks have been called back for a failure of the rearview camera software to operate. Also, a recall has been issued for over 26,000 2024 Pacifica minivans for failure of the traction control system to operate while cruise control is on. In yet another recall, Chrysler has pulled back many 2017-2023 Pacifica PHEVs for a short circuit in the internal transmission wiring connector, which could lead to a sudden loss of power while driving.
This list of recalls is not exhaustive but highlights some of the serious safety issues owners and lessees of Chrysler vehicles could be experiencing. Following the directions in the recall notice – once received – is critical to maintaining your vehicle’s safety, use and value and protecting your rights to receive the value of the vehicle you paid for.
Contact Nita Lemon Law Today
If you own or lease a Chrysler that is still under its manufacturer’s warranty, but you are experiencing substantial issues that the dealer can’t or won’t fix, contact Nita Lemon Law Firm for a free consultation with an experienced California lemon law attorney to understand your rights and explore your options.
