2004 Chrysler 300m

Routine

Owners filed 71 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

54 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,00040,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling6
000
Structure5
000
Power Train5
000
Air Bags5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip3
201
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
000
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module3
000
Unknown or Other2
002

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.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch03V332000
Filed Sep 8, 200320,978 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERNAL HOOD LATCH COMPONENT MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A CRACK, WHICH COULD PROPAGATE AND BREAK, ALLOWING THE PRIMARY/SECONDARY LATCH SPRING TO DISENGAGE.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCH FUNCTION, ALLOWING THE HOOD TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Sep 10, 2016123,000 milesGA

ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THAT HAS CAUSED MY CRUISE CONTROL, HORN, AND RADIO VOLUME NOT WORK. I LIVE IN A VERY BUSY AND CONGESTED CITY. I WAS ALMOST RUN OFF THE ROAD TWICE BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A HORN THAT WORKS TO WARN PEOPLE TO STATE IN THERE LANES.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 15, 2016LA

WHILE RUNNING, STATIONARY, AND MOTION THE VEHICAL RAN HOT, MOTOR OIL LEAKING WHILE CAR IN MOTION AND PARKED. CAR DID NOT WANT TO START, AND SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC, DIOGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED REPORT INDICATED ELECTRICAL AND SENSOR PROBLEMS AMONG OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES.

Power Train
Filed Feb 18, 201675,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND STAY AT THE SAME SPEED OR STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jan 20, 2016168,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HOOD BECAME UNLATCHED ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE HOOD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND ALSO DENTED THE ROOF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 15, 2015SC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 10, 2015CA

THE SEAT WHEN TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AND THE ELECTRIC LIGHT IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS OVER HEATING, TOOK THE CAR BACK TO CHRYSLER HERE IN STOCKTON THE JUST CUT THE WIRES AND TAPE THEM OFF THIS WAS LAST YEAR DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS UNTIL NOW . ALSO THE GAS TANK WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEIKING GAS. THEY CHARGE ME TO FIXED IT I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE CAT CONVERTER DURABILIT WAS A RECALL .I ASKTHEMABOUT ANY RECALLS THEY SAID NO . I GOT THIS CAR IN 2012. I PUT. A PULLELY IN THE CAR AND BATTERY, REDONE THE FRONT IN THE FRIST YEARS IHAVE GOT THE CAR . THEY TOLD ME THAT WHAT YOU GET FOR BUYING A USED CAR . I GOT IT AT CHRYSLER BUSINESS BUT I GUESS THAT WHAT YOU GET. RIGHT , IT HAPPY 6 MONTH AFTERVI BROUGHT THE CAR . I WELL MY CAR IS ALMOSR PAID AT THE YEAR 2016 , I JUST WELL NEVER BUY A OTHER CAR FROM CHRYSLER.

Unknown or Other2 injured
Filed Aug 19, 2015MT

THE CHROME COVERING THE DOOR HANDLE STARTED PEELING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND I HAVE SLICED MY FINGER WIDE OPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN MY DAUGHTER SLICED HER FINGER OPEN ON THE VERY SHARP CHROM COVERING THAT WAS PEELING, I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO REPORT IT. IF I HAD BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, I AM SURE I SHOULD HAVE HAD STITCHES ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO HELP AND TRIED TO PEEL THE REST OF IT OFF, BUT IT JUST CHANGED WHERE THE SLICEY PART IS, NOT ITS ON THE PALM OF MY HAND INSTEAD OF MY FINGERS.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 30, 2015167,000 milesIA

DRAGGING OF THE BRAKE WHILE DRIVING. TIRES GET HOT TO THE TOUCH. RELEASING GAS PEDAL, THE CAR DOES NOT ROLL, IT STOPS ABRUPTLY...WHEN EX CELEBRATING, THE RPMS GOES UP, BUT CAR NOT GOING SPEED LIMIT....BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PRESS

Unknown or Other
Filed May 19, 2015112,000 milesOH

I AM SO DISAPPOINTED. I ALWAYS HAVE REGULAR CHECKUPS OIL CHANGES AND SO ON. I HAD ONE IN MARCH OF 2014 AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN WILLARD OHIO SHAFFERS. THEN I HAD A COUPON FOR AN OIL CHANGE FOR SHARPNACK IN WILLARD OHIO IN APRIL 2015. SHARPNACK PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED ME OUT ASTONISHED BECAUSE NO ONE HAD SHOWED ME THE FRAME WAS ROT. THE FRONT AREA WAS READY TO GIVE ANYTIME. THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH IT FOR SAFETY NOR FIX IT FOR ANYTHING. THEY DID NOT WANT ME TO DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT. I THEN STARTED RESEARCH THIS IS NOT JUST ME. I CALLED CHRYSLER WHO WANTED IT LOOKED AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WHICH I DID AND THE CAR IS BROKE FROM CRADLE ROT. CHRYSLER HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS YET NOTHING DONE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I RESEARCHED OTHER PLACES AND TOYOTA AT LEAST TOOK CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH A PAYOUT OR NEW VEHICLE. I WILL HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME AND WILL NOT LET THIS BE. I HAVE CONTACTED ALL BUSINESS I CAN THINK OF AND WILL CONTACT ALL NEWS AND CHANNELS THAT WILL LISTEN.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 201441,500 milesPA

DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A 10 -12" CRACK JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL WORK OR NOT. IN ANY EVENT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. DEALER(S) ARE OF NO HELP AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD THE COMMON PROBLEM OF THE HEADLAMPS/INSTRUMENTATION LIGHTS FLICKERING. HEADLAMPS WOULD FLASH ON/OFF ALONG WITH INSTRUMENT LIGHTING. HEADLIGHT SWITCH PANEL REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. *TR

Structure
Filed Sep 9, 201478,000 milesNJ

LARGE CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD, HAPPENED ON ITS OWN. SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Aug 4, 201465,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER 300 M. THE CONTACT STATED SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES WHEN TRYING TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER IS UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 09/30/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE CRACKS IN THE DASH BOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE DASHLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT 4 TIMES. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/25/2015. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 201430,000 milesMD

1) A GROWING CRACK IN DASHBOARD ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. 2) HEAT/AIR CLUSTER WILL NOT ILLUMINATE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 13, 201426,265 milesGA

INTERIOR LIGHTS RANDOM AND INTERMITTENTLY FLASHING AND GOING OFF AND ON. HEADLIGHTS AFFECTED ALSO. DAY AND NIGHT. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jun 13, 201444,364 milesGA

1. INTERIOR LIGHTS CONTINUE TO INTERMITTENTLY FLASH ON AND OFF. 2. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES FOR VARIOUS TIME PERIOD AND THEN GOES OFF. 50/50 WITH POWER STALLS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *JS

Structure
Filed Jun 13, 201498,249 milesGA

NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN. STIFF WHEN DRIVING. CRACKS IN DASH AROUND PASSENGER AIR BAG. ENGINE LIGHT ON AND REMAINS ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. ADVISED THAT SRS ROLL COIL NEEDS REPLACING. PART ORDERED THROUGH CHRYSLER PARTS DEALER AND IS ON BACK ORDER. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Mar 21, 201436,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, LOOKING FOR A SPACE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH A LOUD EXPLOSION THAT ALSO SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NAPLES DEALERSHIP AND AFTER TESTING CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR AND SUGGESTED I CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE ESTABLISHED A CASE NUMBER [XXX], SENT IT TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT AND SENT A PERSON TO INSPECT THE CAR. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY CHRYSLER HAD NO LIABILITY. WE ARE HAVING THE SEAT BELT AND SENSOR REPLACED [ABOUT $2,000], THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED ABOUT $800 WITH SOME INSURANCE RECOVERY] AND RENTING A CAR DURING THE 7-10 DAYS FROM NOW WHILE PARTS ARE ORDERED AND REPAIRS MADE. CERTAINLY I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER THESE COSTS. BUT IN ADDITION I THINK CHRYSLER OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE RISK OF THESE DEFECTIVE SENSORS. IN OUR CASE THERE WAS NO PASSENGER AND THE CAR WAS MOVING SLOWLY. HOWEVER, IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THIS MANNER WHILE ON A HIGHWAY, THERE COULD BE SIGNIFICANT RISK TO PASSENGER AND DRIVER. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 8, 201438,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 31, 2013PA

2004 CHRYSLER 300M. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NUMEROUS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS. *SMD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE STRUTS, TIE RODS, RADIATOR, FUEL PUMP, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, CAM SHAFT SENSOR WERE ALL REPLACED. THE STRUTS AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.

Steering
Filed Oct 24, 201337,682 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS, INNER TIE RODS, CAM SHAFT AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,682 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,546.

20 of 71 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2004 — this page71200Routine
200333110Routine
200283231Fatalities reported
200191420Routine
2000242750Above average
1999351461Fatalities reported
19980100Routine
19941000Routine
19933000Routine

Compare every 300m year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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.