Chrysler Maserati tc problems
The Chrysler TC by Maserati is a jointly developed car by Chrysler and Maserati. It was positioned as a grand tourer and introduced at the 1986 Los Angeles Auto Show. It is a "Q" body built on a modified second-generation Chrysler K platform. After two years of development delays, the TC became available in late-1988 and a total of 7,300 units (the minimum required under the contract) were manufactured in Milan, Italy, through 1990. All cars sold as 1991 models were manufactured in 1990.
Development
Lee Iacocca started a friendship with Alejandro de Tomaso while at Ford, which led to the De Tomaso Pantera, which had flopped because of safety concerns and limited interest from buyers. During the 1980s, Iacocca headed Chrysler while De Tomaso was the owner of the historic Maserati brand. In 1983, Iacocca had considered manufacturing a knock-off of a Mercedes roadster based on a Plymouth Reliant-until he was talked out of it.
In 1984, both companies signed a memorandum of understanding to create a sports coupe that ultimately became the TC, or "turbocharged coupe", an "image builder" which carried the hopes that it might help overcome Chrysler's blue-collar image and attract better-heeled customers to showrooms, and a revival of the luxury reputation they enjoyed during the late 1950s to mid-1960s with the Chrysler 300 letter series coupes and convertibles.
Chrysler also became an investor in Maserati during that period. In 1985, Lee Iacocca stated that the planned "Q-coupe" would be the prettiest Italian to arrive stateside since his mother immigrated. The luxury roadster, which resembled a Chrysler LeBaron—it shared many of the LeBaron's components—had taken five years to complete because of mismanagement and squabbling among Chrysler and Maserati engineers which resulted in delay after delay. The original plan was for the TC to be introduced before the LeBaron.
The 1989 TC used a slightly detuned 160 bhp (119 kW; 162 PS) Daytona-spec turbocharged 2.2 L straight-4. This intercooled version, known as the Turbo II, was coupled to an A413 three-speed automatic transaxle. The Turbo II was replaced by a Mitsubishi-sourced 3.0 L 141 bhp (105 kW; 143 PS) V6 engine for the 1990 and 1991 model years, with the automatic transaxle being upgraded to a four-speed A604 unit.
500 cars were built with an optional drivetrain consisting of a Getrag manual transmission and a 16-valve head version of the 2.2 L. This engine is often called the "Maserati" engine because it was assembled by Maserati and has a Maserati-branded cast valve cover.
The 200 hp (149 kW; 203 PS) 16-valve 2.2 L "Maserati" engine's cylinder head was cast in England by Cosworth and finished in Italy by Maserati. The pistons came from Mahle GmbH in Germany. The camshafts were designed by Florida-based Crane Cams and were manufactured by Maserati in Modena. The "Maserati" engine used a specially-made 2.2 block, upgraded crankshaft, and rods. A Japanese turbocharger was sourced from IHI. The rest of the engine used Turbo II parts made in the United States.
The TC's platform was based on a shortened Dodge Daytona chassis with suspension and axles from the original model (except for the 5-speed Getrag with "Maserati" engine). The bodywork was produced by De Tomaso subsidiary Innocenti. The struts and shock absorbers were specially designed for the car by Fichtel and Sachs, and a Teves anti-lock braking system was standard. The special wheels were made in Italy by the Formula One supplier Fondmetal.
After every other Chrysler executive insisted that the TC was hopeless and should be written off, Iacocca refused to accept responsibility for its failure saying it might have worked if his marketers had "positioned" it properly. According to Bob Lutz, a Chrysler executive, the partnership with Alejandro de Tomaso resulted in only the TC, a "misadventure" that wound up costing Chrysler "close to $600 million." That is, the cost to produce each of the 7,300 TCs was about $80,000 in 1990 dollars ($186,572 in 2023 dollars ).
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Chrysler Maserati tc model years
Common Chrysler Maserati tc problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Chrysler TC by Maserati, several common problems have been identified:
- Transmission Issues: Complaints included problems with the transmission, leading to replacements under warranty. The transmission was highlighted as a problematic component that required attention and maintenance.
- Antilock Brake System (ABS): The antilock brake system was a significant concern for owners. Replacing or repairing the ABS was described as challenging, costly, and labor-intensive, with some opting to switch to standard power brakes due to the difficulties associated with the ABS.
- Design Flaws: The Chrysler TC by Maserati was criticized for its design flaws, including a confusing resemblance to the Chrysler LeBaron, which was a more affordable model. The styling and proportions of the TC were considered inferior to the LeBaron, leading to dissatisfaction among owners and potential buyers.
- Quality and Build Issues: Owners expressed dissatisfaction with the overall build quality of the TC, highlighting inferior craftsmanship and a lack of attention to detail. The car was perceived as poorly planned and executed, failing to meet the expectations set by its Italian styling and luxury branding.
- Parts and Components: The TC was criticized for being built from a mixture of parts that did not live up to the promised high standards. Despite claims of using top-quality components, the car was perceived as assembled with parts that did not meet the expected level of quality and performance.
- Performance Concerns: While some owners praised the car's performance, others raised issues with its overall performance, especially in comparison to other cars in its price range. The powertrain and engine options were not always satisfactory, leading to concerns about the car's speed and capabilities.
These common problems with the Chrysler TC by Maserati highlight a range of issues that owners faced, from mechanical failures to design flaws and quality concerns. Addressing these issues would have been crucial to improving the overall satisfaction and reliability of this model.
Is Maserati a reliable car?
Though reliability is considered low for Maserati, many of the issues that contribute to the low score the manufacturer has been awarded occur later in the vehicle's life. So, if Maserati is your dream and you are considering getting a lease, it's worth considering purchasing a maintenance package.
How many Chrysler TC by Maserati were made?
7,300 units
Approximately 7,300 units were built in total. The Chrysler TC car had plenty of substance, with technology befitting what the Brits refer to as a “bespoke” high-end vehicle.
Are Maserati expensive to fix?
Overall, Maserati upkeep is a significant expense that you shouldn't underestimate, but it may be worth it for some people. Maseratis cost about $1,600 per year just in preventive maintenance. For reference, the average vehicle costs about $650 per year in maintenance and repairs.
Is insurance high on a Maserati?
Maseratis are one of the most expensive vehicles to insure. Reason being that you usually need more than just minimum liability coverage for your vehicle. You'll also typically want an umbrella policy and comprehensive coverage.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chrysler Maserati tc years
We have researched Chrysler problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chrysler Maserati tc cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Chrysler Maserati tc model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chrysler Maserati tc model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chrysler Maserati tc years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chrysler Maserati tc car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chrysler Maserati tc , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chrysler Maserati tc vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chrysler Maserati tc . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chrysler Maserati tc vehicles.
List of Chrysler Maserati tc complaints
Chrysler Maserati tc 1990
- Date Of Incident: 2003-07-09
- Date Complaint: 2003-07-17
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: 1990 CHRYSLER TC WITH 4 FIRESTONE SS-10 FIREHAWK 205/60/R15 TIRES. TWO OF THE TIRES HAVE STARTED TO SEPARATE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE THE MOST RECENT ONE. NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE, ALWAYS PROPERLY INFLATED. BOTH TIRES HAD SIMILAR BULGE IN OUTER PERIMETER OF TREAD IN SAME AREA. CAN DELIVER TO FIRESTONE FOR STUDY. JUST WANT A NEW TIRE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONE. LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER GAVE ?!@#$% STORY THAT TIRES ARE ONLY GUARANTEED FOR 3 OR 4 YEARS DISPUTE TREAD WEAR AND I SHOULD REPLACE THEM ALL IMMEDIATELY BASED ON AGE (HE SAID 4 YRS OLD). HE WANTS TO GIVE ME $20 ALLOWANCE EACH EVEN THOUGH MORE THAN HALF THE TREAD IS LEFT AND THE TIRES LIST FOR $74 EACH(CURRENT MODEL IS FIRESTONE INDY 500). *AK
Chrysler Maserati tc 1990
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-10
- Date Complaint: 1995-07-24
- VIN: ZC2FS1201LB
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INOPERABLE. *SD
Chrysler Maserati tc 1990
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-29
- Date Complaint: 1995-06-14
- VIN: ZC2FS120XLB
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ABS: EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE; YELLOW ABS LIGHT CAME; STILL HAD BRAKES; RED LIGHT CAME ON; PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TT
Recalls Chrysler Maserati tc
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Chrysler Maserati tc.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Chrysler Maserati tc 1990
- Report Received Date: 2008-04-14
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
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