2008 Chrysler 300: complaints, problems and recalls

BOUGHT A 2008 CHRYSLER 300 LIMITED 3.5 ON DECEMBER 18TH. ON SUNDAY THE 23RD, I USED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER DUE TO FLYING ROAD WATER AFTER A RAIN, THAT RESULTED IN A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. ENGINE STOPPED UNTIL I RELEASED WINDSHIELD WASHER SWITCH, AND WHEN IT RESTARTED..IT WAS IN A LOWER GEAR, RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT SLOW DOWN WITH BRAKING. SUCH AN EVENT IN FASTER AND HEAVY TRAFFIC COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM FOR OCCUPANTS AND/OR THOSE DRIVING BEHIND A CAR EXPERIENCING SUCH AN EVENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MAJOR …

Owner-reported narrative. 326 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213117 at NHTSA ↗

THE REAR SEATBELTS IN THE VEHICLE DO NOT FIT MY 11 AND 13 YEAR OLD CHILDREN. THE PART THAT THE BELT PLUGS INTO APPEARS TO BE TOO LONG, THUS THE BELT IS PULLED UP BY THE SHOULDER TO POSITION IT ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF MY CHILD. THE BELT WILL NOT RIDE ON THE HIPS AS REQUIRED TO BE PROPERLY BELTED IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10220047 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 CHRYSLER 300 TOURING ON MY WAY HOME NORTH BOUND ON RICHMOND AVE APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION OF VICTORY BLVD AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR . MY MOON ROOF OF MY VEHICLE EXPLODED LITTERING GLASS ALL OVER THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE AND THE GLASS CAUSED CUTS AND ABRASIONS ON MY RIGHT HAND AND SCALP. THE GLASS ALSO SCRAPED AND CUT THE INTERIOR FRONT SEATS OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,640 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222422 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER 300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND DROPPED DOWN TO 30- 40 MPH. THE CONTACT HEARD A CONTINUOUS GRUMBLING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIMMED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 620 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120. UPDATED 04/23/08. *LJ

Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223387 at NHTSA ↗

MY 2008 300 TOURING WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. THE ALARM STARTED GOING OFF BY ITSELF. THE A FIRE STARTED OUT OF NOWHERE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN MY CAR EXPLODED FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK THROUGH THE EXHAUST PIPE. I ONLY HAD 6100 OR SO MILES ON MY CAR. I JUST LEASED IT IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240540 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER 300. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND SHAKING SEVERELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ROTOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ROTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY HOW THE CONTACT WAS STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER CHANGED THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243575 at NHTSA ↗

WE HAVE TAKEN OUR 2008 CHRYSLER 300 TO 2 DIFFERENT CHRYSLER DEALERS AND THEY HAVEN'T FIXED OUR CAR. OUR CAR WINDOWS, AC, LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, FAN ETC DON'T WORK SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO RESTART THE CAR AND SOMETIMES WE GET THE POWER BACK. THE FIRST CAR DEALER ARE SAYING THEY DON'T SHOW ANY ERROR IN THE SYSTEM. THE OTHER DEALER TOLD US SOMEONE MAY HAVE OPENED THEIR GARAGE AT THE SAME TIME WE STARTED OUR CAR AND THEY SAW A COUPLE OF ERRORS BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WANT US TO BUY AMER…

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246397 at NHTSA ↗

TRANSMISSION BANGS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE, SOMETIMES IT MAKES A BIG BANG/KNOCK GOING INTO GEAR. ALSO, ENGINE HAS DIED WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. ENGINE RPM NEEDLE FLUCTUATES WHEN DRIVING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251006 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2008-07-02 (July 2, 2008)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 5,509 MY 2008 300, DODGE MAGNUM, AND CHARGER VEHICLES. THE TORQUE RETENTION CRIMP FEATURE WAS MISSED DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF ONE LOT OF REAR AXLE HUB NUTS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE HALFSHAFT TO DISENGAGE FROM THE WHEEL HUB.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2014-09-17 (September 17, 2014)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12, 2008, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 21, 2007, to May 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two positions. Potentially, while the vehicle is being driven, the ignition may inadvertently move through the "RUN" position to the "ACCESSORY" or "OFF" ignition position, turning off the engine.

Consequence: If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.

Reported: 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

Reported: 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.