Owners filed 83 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
06900069,000 milesMedian miles at failure
54 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train
6
0
0
0
Electrical System
6
1
0
1
Seats
5
1
0
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
4
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
4
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
4
3
0
2
Tires
3
0
0
0
Steering
3
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
3
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport
Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner03V035000
Filed Feb 5, 20031,066,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Risk. IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Seats
Filed Jul 14, 202573,000 milesNY
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler 300M. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's seat back fractured. The contact stated that upon sitting in the front driver's seat, the seat back collapsed and landed on the rear seat. The contact attempted to adjust the seat however, the front driver's seat failed to adjust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V035000 (SEATS); however, the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Electrical System
Filed May 18, 2022NH
The horn does not work which in the state of New Hampshire is a safety inspection item, and the dashboard lights work intermittently (not working more often than working) rendering the gauges unreadable at night. Not sure the exact date of the horn failure, but the steering wheel cruise control and audio controls stopped working, and I checked some forums that confirmed said failure might also disable the horn, and that is what happened. The problem occurs even when parked.
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 10, 2017145,000 milesFL
MY DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAS OOZED A GEL AND LOST REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO CHANGE LANES AND GET ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. THIS HAPPENED PRETTY QUICKLY. IT STARTED WITH TURNING AN AMBER COLOR, THEN EVERY TIME IT RAINED IT WOULD APPEAR AS A GEL LEAKED FROM BOTTOM OF MIRROR GLASS. NOW AS OF THIS DATE I AM UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING IN THIS MIRROR. I'VE SEEN OTHER CHRYSLER AND DODGE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND WORKED AT DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP IN OUR CITY AND SAID THIS HAPPENED A LOT IN CHRYSLER'S. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND DECEMBER 2016. COMPLETELY LOST REFLECTION IN FEBRUARY 2017.
Seats
Filed Feb 18, 201669,000 milesAZ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO READJUST BACK INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V035000 (SEAT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Seats
Filed Feb 10, 2016131,000 milesGA
WHEN USING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED THE SEAT AND THE JACKET I WAS WEARING.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 5, 20169,000 milesFL
FUEL HOSE THAT RUNS TO THE FUEL RAIL HAS A HOLE ON IT THAT SQUIRTS FUEL ON THE MANIFOLD THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS OF CAR CATCH FIRE. DEALER SAID THE PART IS DISCONTINUED.
Engine
Filed Sep 4, 201575,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. MA 10/25/15 *CN
Power Train
Filed Jun 1, 2015KY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN INTO A LOWER GEAR SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power Train
Filed Feb 18, 2015174,000 milesCA
WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER SALE THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I HAVE NOW YET OVER 5K WORTH OF RECEIPTS OF REPAIRS COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT YET AGAIN THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN MOTION IN MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHT S INTERIOR POPS ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE FRICTION IN THE SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN ACTIVELY DOING THIS FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS WHEN I TOOK TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC ADVISED ITS A POORLY BUILT CAR AND WOULD NEED THE WHOLE ELECTRIC SYSTEM RE-WIRED. THE BIGGEST THING IS THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE BLEW I WAS IN THE FAST LANE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DROPPED TO 40 MILES AND EVERYONE BEHIND ME WAS QUICK AS I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE AMONGST OTHERS. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF UNDER THE DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (DODD-FRANK ACT), ALL COVERED PERSONS OR SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO REFRAIN FROM COMMITTING UNFAIR, DECEPTIVE, OR ABUSIVE ACTS OR PRACTICES (COLLECTIVELY,UDAAPS) IN VIOLATION OF THE ACT. THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB OR BUREAU) IS ISSUING THIS BULLETIN TO CLARIFY THE CONTOURS OF THAT OBLIGATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COLLECTING CONSUMER DEBTS.ANY FALSE, DECEPTIVE, OR MISLEADING REPRESENTATION.A SUBSTANTIAL INJURY TYPICALLY TAKES THE FORM OF MONETARY HARM, SUCH AS FEES OR COS
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod AssemblyCrash
Filed Sep 15, 2014194,000 milesWV
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH ON THE GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LUG NUT ON THE RIGHT TIE ROD BECAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, THE PIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS PREVENTATIVE MEASURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.
Electrical System
Filed Aug 27, 201438,000 milesPA
HEADLIGHTS BLINK ON THERE OWN. *TR
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Aug 20, 2014109,000 milesND
MY SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER AND HEATER A/C AIR CONDITIONER CLIMATE TEMPERATURE CONTROL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING.I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD TO DRIVING, WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE HOW FAST YOU GOING AT NIGHT.I CALLED CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.I AM NOT THE ONLY CAR LIKE THIS, THERE IS OTHER CARS AROUND THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I THINK THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO. *TR
Power Train
Filed Jul 14, 201480,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V035000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air Bags
Filed Jun 5, 2014MO
THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED. THIS CONNECTS ALL THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIRBAG TO THE CAR'S SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM HERE IS A SHORTAGE OF REPLACEMENTS-THE PART IS ON A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER. IT WOULD SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE. *TR
EngineFire1 injured
Filed May 12, 2014125,000 milesFL
ON MY WAY TO WORK ON MAY 8TH 2014, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. IN A SPLIT SECOND DECISION I DECIDED TO GO TO WORK INSTEAD OF COFFEE FIRST TO CALL A MECHANIC AND WITHIN 2 MINUTES MY CAR HAD DIED. SMOKE WAS COMING IN THROUGH MY VENTS AND I HAD WITNESSES YELLING AT ME TO GET AWAY FROM MY CAR IT WAS ON FIRE. IN THE 5 MINUTES IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET THERE, THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS GONE. I HAD LITTLE TO NO WARNING OF THIS AND HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME THAT DAY AND THANKFUL THAT THE ONLY INJURY TO ME WAS SMOKE/FUME INHALATION. *TR
Power Train
Filed Dec 6, 2013106,000 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO JERK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Suspension
Filed Nov 25, 201386,000 milesSC
I HAD BOTH FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES REPLACED AND A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. WHILE DRIVING HOME THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND UPON INVESTIGATING FURTHER I WAS TOLD THE RACK PINION ASSEMBLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL $850 JOB BECAME A $1750 JOB. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Mar 22, 201350,000 milesKY
THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MECHANIC WOULD PUT THE CAR ON THE MACHINE BUT HE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THE RADIO WAS THE FIRST TO GO OUT. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE ALARM SYSTEM CAME ON WHILE I WAS IN THE HOUSE AND THERE WAS NO ONE NEAR MY CAR. THREE YEARS AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BUT IT STARTED BACK WORKING. NOW THERE IS SOMETHING RUNNING MY BATTERY DOWN OVER NIGHT. THE ALTERNATOR IS ALRIGHT AND I REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE TIRE PRESSURE DISPLAY IS NOT WORKING. *TR
Steering
Filed Feb 13, 2013135,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE INNER TIRE ROD BOLTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WITH A GRADE A BOLT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN ADDITIONAL BOLT SIX MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
WheelsCrash
Filed Sep 14, 201298,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL RIMS WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO BECOME SLACK. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY ADD AIR TO THE TIRES ON A DAILY BASIS FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RIM, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP AND ROLL OVER TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.