Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chrysler Concorde, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 51 | 26% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 8% |
| Power train | 11 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 10 | 5% |
| Air bags | 8 | 4% |
| Suspension | 8 | 4% |
| Structure | 7 | 4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I'M SORRY, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT MILAGE ON THE CAR. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 40 , BUT I WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST BECAUSE 1) THE ROAD WAS WET BECAUSE IT HAD JUST RAINED LIGHTLY, MAYBE 8 MINUTES PRIOR 2) I SAW THE OT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V184000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
QUICK-STRUTS AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENT PARTS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THIS PRODUCT IS CALLED A MONROE QUICK- STRUT. THE FAILED PART WAS RETURNED FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT: PART #171939. THE TOP OF THE STRUT, NUT, AND STE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WE SMELLED GAS FROM THE ENGINE AREA. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION NOTED A LEAK IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM . GAS WAS DRIPPING EVERY 1 SECOND NEAR THE O RING BY THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL. HELP!. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT A 3.5L ENGINE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT INJURIES CAUSED BY FAILED CAR JACK. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHEN THE JACK COLLAPSED. (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *JB UPDATED 05/11/10.*JB UPDATED
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
1. "BUSY RATTLE", NOT LOUD, BUT CONTINUOUS, MOST NOTICEABLE ON SMOOTH ROADS ABOVE 30 MPH, FROM FRONT FRAME SUB-ASSEMBLY, FOUR MOUNTING BOLTS. THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY IS ALSO CALLED THE "MOTOR CARRIER" AND IS BOLTED FROM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I'VE HAD A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LX FOR ABOUT 1 YR. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION 99% OF THE TIME I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING THE KEY UNTIL IT TURNS ON, IF IT EVEN DOES, AND A FEW MONTHS AGO E
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Chrysler Concorde. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853
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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 193 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 51 of them (26%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1996 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.