Chrysler 300M problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
852 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 501 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 90 of 852 complaints (10.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 139 | 16.3% |
| Braking behavior | 64 | 7.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 62 | 7.3% |
| Engine operation | 42 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 37 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 90 |
| Steering | 61 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 56 |
| Air Bags | 52 |
| Electrical System | 45 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 45 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 43 |
| Tires | 34 |
Structure: 90; Steering: 61; Air Bags:Frontal: 56; Air Bags: 52; Electrical System: 45; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 45; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 43; Tires: 34
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 62 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 107 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 132 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 96 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 72 |
| 150,000 and above | 32 |
Under 25,000: 62; 25,000 to 49,999: 107; 50,000 to 74,999: 132; 75,000 to 99,999: 96; 100,000 to 149,999: 72; 150,000 and above: 32
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (132). 351 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 35 |
| 2001 | 49 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2003 | 150 |
| 2004 | 139 |
| 2005 | 90 |
| 2006 | 55 |
| 2007 | 44 |
| 2008 | 38 |
| 2009 | 23 |
| 2010 | 33 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 35; 2001: 49; 2002: 58; 2003: 150; 2004: 139; 2005: 90; 2006: 55; 2007: 44; 2008: 38; 2009: 23; 2010: 33; 2011: 27; 2012: 16; 2013: 18; 2014: 27; 2015: 24; 2016: 12; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 139 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 64 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 62 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008459 · 2003-03-05 (March 5, 2003)
THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING OUR 1999 CHRYSLER 300M, WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED RUNNING, THAT MEANT THAT EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING THE STEERING, GAS, ETC. AND THEN I FOUND THAT IF I DON'T WARM THE CAR UP FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR TO 45 MINUTES IT WILL STOP AND WHILE WARMING THE CAR UP IT WILL STOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE PROCESS. MY FRIEND ALSO HAS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M AND HERS RECENTLY STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. I THINK THIS A VERY DANGEROUS THING THAT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. IT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009410 · 2002-11-26 (November 26, 2002)
FRONT END NOISE/PULLING FROM DATE PURCHASED, NO CAUSE FOUND AT DEALER. COMPLAINED ABOUT NOISE AND PULLING TO ONE SIDE THROUGHOUT WARRANTY. BALANCED/ROTATED TIRES NO HELP. AFTER NEW TIRES @62K-STEERING BECAME SLOPPY W/3" OF PLAY. DIAGNOSED AS STEERING RACK FAILURE. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***770151
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000136 · 2002-12-16 (December 16, 2002)
BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED AS A RESULT OF A MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE VACUUM ASSIST/MASTER CYLINDER SYSTEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,628 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000136 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002024 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
HILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND PUT INTO DRIVE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. CONSUMER TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060663 · 2004-03-07 (March 7, 2004)
I OWN A 2001 CHRYSLER 300M WHICH I PURCHASED NEW A CARMAX CHRYSLER, JEEP DEALERSHIP HERE IN GEORGIA. I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE TRIED TO GET REPAIRED OR COMPLIED WITH BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. 1. I READ ABOUT AND HEARD ON THE NEWS ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER ASSEMBLY SO I INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER AS TO WHEN I COULD BRING THE CAR IN FOR COMPLIANCE AND WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER WHEN TO BRING IT IN. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM CHRYSLER TO THIS DATE ON ANY RECALLS. 2. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10060663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007810 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLS EVERYTIME IT IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE.WHEN SHIFTED INTO GEAR VEHICLE HAS TO WARMED UP BEFORE IT CAN MOVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,652 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032704 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)
I HAVE REPLACED 7 GOODYEAR TIRES ON MY 1999 300M AS WELL AS ONE CHROME RIM (SEVERAL SERIOUS BLOWOUTS). THE DRIVER & PASSENGER WINDOW MOTORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. HAVE MYSTERIOUS 2 INCH DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. REPLACED SENSORS (CRANK CASE?). CHAFING WIRES CAUSE UNEXPECTED STALLS & FAILURES. LOCAL DEALER TRYING TO DIAGNOSE CURRENT PROBLEM-CAR STALLS AFTER SHIFT INTO DRIVE. AFRAID TO KEEP A CAR WITH ONLY 42,000 MILES. LOVE THE LOOK & ROOM OF THE CAR BUT MAY BE TOO DANGEROUS TO RISK STALLING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH OR MISSING AN I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070708 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ALL THREE SYSTEMS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL(FUSE,RELAY,ETC.)THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON.I`M NOT SURE AS TO WEATHER IS IS OPERATING PROPERLY.THE WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE AND THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM WILL NOT COME ON(NO DISPLAY)BUT THE A/C COMPRESSOR CLUTCH CAN BE HEARD ENGAGING ON THEN OFF AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005384 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
DASH LIGHTS BLINK ON/OFF WHEN HEAD LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE AUTOMATIC POSITION. THE AUTOMATIC HEAD LIGHT SWITCH IS NO LONGER RELIABLE. LIGHTS NEED TO TURNED ON/OFF MANUALLY. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 300M, THIS FAULTY SWITCH IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. ONE YEAR LATER, INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS NOW BLINK ON/OFF CAUSING DISTRACTION. DRIVERS SEAT POSITION BUTTON IS NOW STARTING TO MOVE UP AND BACK DURING INCORRECT TIMES. AT TIMES SEAT POWER DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. TOTALLY ELECTRICAL???
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107778 · 2005-01-23 (January 23, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65-75, CAR STOPS RUNNING. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD, IT RESTARTED AFTER 30 MINUTES. MECHANIC COULD FIND NO CAUSE. NO PROBLEMS FOR 2-3 DAYS OF DRIVING AND IT DID IT AGAIN STRANDING MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND HER BABY. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN. MECHANIC NOW HAS THE GAS TANK OFF THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN 9-10 SIMILAR CASES FOR THE 99 300 AND LATER YEARS. HELP! THIS IS DANGEROUS AND COSTLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10679848 · 2015-01-29 (January 29, 2015)
THIS VEHICLE HAS A RAW GAS SMELL. COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. I MUST COVER MY FACE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10679848 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1998: 1; 1999: 3; 2000: 6; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 0; 2004: 1