1996 Chrysler LHS problems & reliability
135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Chrysler LHS, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
8 complaints report injuries (11 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1996 Chrysler LHS vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 0 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 49 | 36% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 22 | 16% |
| Suspension | 14 | 10% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 | 10% |
| Power Train | 12 | 9% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 8% |
| Electrical System | 9 | 7% |
| Air Bags | 8 | 6% |
| Structure | 7 | 5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 100,000 miles (middle 50% between 84,000 and 131,161 miles), based on 25 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The vehicle had a recall on the fuel rail which was repaired in 1999 by previous owner. Its blowing fuel onto the motor again. The same issue . It has 130k miles on it. When our mechanic looked at it we saw it was the same issue as the previous recall. The parts places we called said they do not sell the the recall…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Oct 5, 2018
“Has loose play in steering wheel and started go off of the road for a moment while driving down the road..”
Steering · filed Apr 20, 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler lhs. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate and steer to the right and left without warning. The contact stated that the subframe bushings of the vehicle were deteriorated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage…”
Suspension · filed Jul 21, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSIS
Defect Petition DP04007 · opened Oct 13, 2004 · closed Oct 27, 2004
- AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Engineering Analysis EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004 · led to recall 04V021000
- STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION
Engineering Analysis EA99031 · opened Oct 29, 1999 · closed Sep 13, 2001
- STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION
Preliminary Evaluation PE99044 · opened Jun 28, 1999 · closed Oct 29, 1999
Technical service bulletins
90 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Chrysler LHS. The 10 most recent:
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 reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
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.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
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.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
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.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
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 reimbursement when battery…
0807317 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2017
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 part…
23027 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 23, 2016
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 attachments for identifying…
23104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2016
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: 1ZA04DX9AE, 1ZA05DX9AE. See…
23137 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2016
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1996 Chrysler LHS has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1996 Chrysler LHS?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 100,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.