2002 Chrysler 300M: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
83 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
68,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 54 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 83 complaints (10.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 14.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.6% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 8.4% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 |
Electrical System: 9; Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Power Train: 6; Seats: 6; Steering: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 29 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2002: 7; 2003: 19; 2004: 5; 2005: 6; 2006: 4; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 6; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2022: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005613 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
WHEN HAVING ROUTINE SERVICE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT 22,000 MILES, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WARPED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY THE "BUMPER-TO-BUMPER" 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. RATHER, THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR BRAKE ROTORS IS 12,000 MILES. I PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT BUT NOTE THAT I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON A 1999 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AT WELL OVER 12,000 MILES AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT APPEARS THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS THAT IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH PREM…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006006 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING IF VEHICLE HIT THE SLIGHTEST PUMP IN THE ROAD, IT WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT. THIS RESULTS IN LOST OF CONTROL OF STEERING AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007271 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
THE CHRYSLER 300M SPECIAL TIRES WERE UNSAFE FOR WINTER DRIVING. *DT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017684 · 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
THE STEERING WHEEL HAD ROTTED, WHICH CAUSED THE METAL TO SHOW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017876 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THE HEAD LIGHTS DISPLAYED POOR VISIBILITY. *JB THERE APPEARED TO BE A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE THAT PRESENTED A SAFETY HAZARD. THE FRONT BUMPER WAS SO LOW THAT THERE WAS AN AREA OF COMPLETE DARKNESS ON THE ROAD BETWEEN THE TWO HEADLIGHTS WHEN DRIVEN AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017879 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER MOVED THE VEHICLE BACKWARDS, THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019242 · 2003-05-24 (May 24, 2003)
FAULTY BREAKING SYSTEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019242 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019306 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019306 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V035000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗