2009 Chrysler 300C Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Chrysler 300C, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical736.8%
- Engine631.6%
- Fuel system210.5%
- Exterior lighting210.5%
- Brakes15.3%
- Steering15.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The OEM starter ignited a fire under the front end of my vehicle. Upon noticed, I immediately grabbed a fire extinguisher, and I put the fire out. I had my two young boys in the car at the time when it happened and I urged them to get out of the car immediately my young son has a fear from now on on getting in vehicles. There wasn’t any issuing warning lights that prompted any awareness. Initially started the car to run and get the juices flowing - seeing The car was parked. There wasn’t any movement to Initiate spark.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT, OUR 09' CHRYSLER 300 COMPLETELY SHUTOFF UNEXPECTEDLY. ENGINE SHUTOFF, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES...AND WORST OF ALL, ALL LIGHTS SHUTOFF! I DRIFT OFF INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE (LUCKILY MINIMAL TRAFFIC) AND STOP. PUT IN IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE...NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO ISSUES, AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. CONTINUE ON WITH LIFE... NOW A WHILE LATER, I'M DRIVING AROUND A TIGHT ROUNDABOUT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN! LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN A TURN AT LOW SPEED, AND THE WHEEL GETS RIPPED OUT OF MY HAND AS THE CAR DRIVES UP OVER THE CURBS BEFORE I CAN STOP WITH THE NOW NON-POWERED BRAKES ON THE CAR. MINIMAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE BUT ENOUGH TO PISS ME OFF TO KNOW THAT THIS CAN LITERALLY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME... CHANGING BETWEEN HAVING POWER STEERING TO INSTANTLY NONE IS A MAJOR HAZARD IN A TURN. I CAN DEAL WITH AN ENGINE TURNOFF, BUT THIS IS A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN, AS IF THE CAR WAS SHUTOFF NOT RECOGNIZING A THE KEY IS THERE. LIGHTS, RADIO, DASHBOARD, ETC....ALL TURN OFF (I'M GUESSING AIRBAGS TOO?) I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED THIS AND I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. IT IS PRETTY MUCH NARROWED DOWN TO A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE AND THE KEY FOB, AND THE MODULE THINKING THE FOB HAS BEEN TURNED OFF WHEN IT FACT IT HASN'T. CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED THIS PART FOR MODEL YEARS PRIOR, AND AFTER 09', BUT HAVE SEEMED TO SKIP THE 300C FOR 2009. WELL GUESS WHAT, 2009 300C WIN MODULE'S ARE FAULTY ALSO... AND JUST AS DANGEROUS AN ISSUE AS ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN RANDOMLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR 2009 CHRYSLER 300'S FOR THE WIN MODULE AND THE KEY FOBS! REGARDS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The OEM starter ignited a fire under the front end of my vehicle. Upon noticed, I immediately grabbed a fire extinguisher, and I put the fire out. I had my two young boys in the car at the time when it happened and I urged them to get out of the car immediately my young son has a fear from now on on getting in vehicles. There wasn’t any issuing warning lights that prompted any awareness. Initially started the car to run and get the juices flowing - seeing The car was parked. There wasn’t any movement to Initiate spark.
CAR HAD 98,474 MILES ON ODOMETER. ENGINE IS MERCEDES DESIGN AND GUARANTEED FOR 100,000. ENGINE BLEW WITH NO WARNING SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OR ANY KIND OF ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING 73 MPH ON I-10 WHEN I HEARD A LOW "KA-THUNK", ELECTRIC AND OIL LIGHTS LIT ON DASH, AND CAR BEGAN DECELERATING. AT TIME, I WAS BEING TAILGATED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE . I HIT EMERGENCY LIGHTS, DRIVER BEHIND ME APPARENTLY GOT THE MESSAGE TO DRIVE AROUND MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH HE/SHE HAD PLENTY OF TIME PRIOR TO INCIDENT TO DO THIS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF SAFELY TO SIDE OF I-10 HIGHWAY AND PARK VEHICLE WITH EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON. AFTER RAISING THE HOOD AND CHECKING THE FLUIDS, THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL AND ALL OTHER FLUIDS WERE PROPER AMOUNTS. THERE HAS BEEN NO LEAKAGE OF ANY KIND OF FLUIDS PRIOR TO OR AFTER INCIDENT. I SPOKE WITH A DEALER SATURDAY AT FORD PEACH MOTORS IN BREWTON, AL ABOUT THE SITUATION. SHE SHARED WITH ME THAT SHE HAD HAD A CHRYSLER 300 WHICH DID THE EXACT SAME THING WHEN IT GOT TO BE AROUND 98,000. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THE 2006 CHRYSLER 300C HAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THE MOTOR GETS AROUND 98,000 MILES AND THE MOTOR/ENGINE BLOWS WITH NO APPARENT WARNING JUST AS MINE DID. ALSO, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, MOPAR HAS 3 RECALLS ON 2009 300C. IT STATES THAT ALL 3 ON MY VIN# WERE REPAIRED. ACCORDING TO NHTSA WEBSITE, THERE ARE 5 RECALLS FOR EXACT SAME VIN# AND NO REPAIRS. I SPOKE WITH BOBBY SPAINHOWARD, A MECHANIC, AT FORD PEACH. WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM WAS THE PIN IN THE CAMSHAFT BROKE IN HALF FOR NO REASON, CAUSING TIMING ASYNCHRONIZATION. THIS LED TO THE RODS BENDING AND STRONG POSSIBILITY OF VALVE AND PISTON DAMAGE. HE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED A BRAND NEW MOTOR DUE TO THE DAMAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The OEM starter ignited a fire under the front end of my vehicle. Upon noticed, I immediately grabbed a fire extinguisher, and I put the fire out. I had my two young boys in the car at the time when it happened and I urged them to get out of the car immediately my young son has a fear from now on on getting in vehicles. There wasn’t any issuing warning lights that prompted any awareness. Initially started the car to run and get the juices flowing - seeing The car was parked. There wasn’t any movement to Initiate spark.
MY CHRYSLER 300C CONSTANTLY SMELL LIKE FUEL. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER WHO CLAIMS HE DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING. NOW MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I STILL SMELL FUEL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THE CHRYSLER EXPERTS ARE NOT HELPING THE SITUATION. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP ME GET IT RESOLVED. I AM NOT ALONE. YOU ANGEL THE FUEL WHETHER THE TANK IS FULL OR NOT. YOU HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL INCLUDING LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WILL RESTART AFTER SLOWING DOWN & SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. HAVE ALMOST BEEN RUN OVER SEVERAL TIMES! THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES.
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ENGINE AND LIGHTS AND ALL POWER EQUIP SHUTS DOWN LIKE TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. LIGHTS ALSO SHUT OFF! USUALLY CAN SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND RESTART ENGINE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES BEFORE IT KEEPS RUNNING. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. NO ERROR CODES STORED. AFRAID I WILL BE RUN OVER ON FREEWAY!HAPPENS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AT ANYTIME. NEED HELP!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT, OUR 09' CHRYSLER 300 COMPLETELY SHUTOFF UNEXPECTEDLY. ENGINE SHUTOFF, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES...AND WORST OF ALL, ALL LIGHTS SHUTOFF! I DRIFT OFF INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE (LUCKILY MINIMAL TRAFFIC) AND STOP. PUT IN IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE...NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO ISSUES, AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. CONTINUE ON WITH LIFE... NOW A WHILE LATER, I'M DRIVING AROUND A TIGHT ROUNDABOUT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN! LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN A TURN AT LOW SPEED, AND THE WHEEL GETS RIPPED OUT OF MY HAND AS THE CAR DRIVES UP OVER THE CURBS BEFORE I CAN STOP WITH THE NOW NON-POWERED BRAKES ON THE CAR. MINIMAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE BUT ENOUGH TO PISS ME OFF TO KNOW THAT THIS CAN LITERALLY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME... CHANGING BETWEEN HAVING POWER STEERING TO INSTANTLY NONE IS A MAJOR HAZARD IN A TURN. I CAN DEAL WITH AN ENGINE TURNOFF, BUT THIS IS A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN, AS IF THE CAR WAS SHUTOFF NOT RECOGNIZING A THE KEY IS THERE. LIGHTS, RADIO, DASHBOARD, ETC....ALL TURN OFF (I'M GUESSING AIRBAGS TOO?) I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED THIS AND I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. IT IS PRETTY MUCH NARROWED DOWN TO A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE AND THE KEY FOB, AND THE MODULE THINKING THE FOB HAS BEEN TURNED OFF WHEN IT FACT IT HASN'T. CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED THIS PART FOR MODEL YEARS PRIOR, AND AFTER 09', BUT HAVE SEEMED TO SKIP THE 300C FOR 2009. WELL GUESS WHAT, 2009 300C WIN MODULE'S ARE FAULTY ALSO... AND JUST AS DANGEROUS AN ISSUE AS ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN RANDOMLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR 2009 CHRYSLER 300'S FOR THE WIN MODULE AND THE KEY FOBS! REGARDS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT, OUR 09' CHRYSLER 300 COMPLETELY SHUTOFF UNEXPECTEDLY. ENGINE SHUTOFF, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES...AND WORST OF ALL, ALL LIGHTS SHUTOFF! I DRIFT OFF INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE (LUCKILY MINIMAL TRAFFIC) AND STOP. PUT IN IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE...NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO ISSUES, AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. CONTINUE ON WITH LIFE... NOW A WHILE LATER, I'M DRIVING AROUND A TIGHT ROUNDABOUT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN! LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN A TURN AT LOW SPEED, AND THE WHEEL GETS RIPPED OUT OF MY HAND AS THE CAR DRIVES UP OVER THE CURBS BEFORE I CAN STOP WITH THE NOW NON-POWERED BRAKES ON THE CAR. MINIMAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE BUT ENOUGH TO PISS ME OFF TO KNOW THAT THIS CAN LITERALLY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME... CHANGING BETWEEN HAVING POWER STEERING TO INSTANTLY NONE IS A MAJOR HAZARD IN A TURN. I CAN DEAL WITH AN ENGINE TURNOFF, BUT THIS IS A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN, AS IF THE CAR WAS SHUTOFF NOT RECOGNIZING A THE KEY IS THERE. LIGHTS, RADIO, DASHBOARD, ETC....ALL TURN OFF (I'M GUESSING AIRBAGS TOO?) I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED THIS AND I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. IT IS PRETTY MUCH NARROWED DOWN TO A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE AND THE KEY FOB, AND THE MODULE THINKING THE FOB HAS BEEN TURNED OFF WHEN IT FACT IT HASN'T. CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED THIS PART FOR MODEL YEARS PRIOR, AND AFTER 09', BUT HAVE SEEMED TO SKIP THE 300C FOR 2009. WELL GUESS WHAT, 2009 300C WIN MODULE'S ARE FAULTY ALSO... AND JUST AS DANGEROUS AN ISSUE AS ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN RANDOMLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR 2009 CHRYSLER 300'S FOR THE WIN MODULE AND THE KEY FOBS! REGARDS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .