2000 Chrysler 300M Steering Problems

TAKATA RECALL THE KEY IGNITION KEPT GETTING STUCK UNTIL THE KEY BROKE OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE SEATBELTS GETS STUCK SOMETIMES WHEN I PUT SON THE CAR AND THEY DONT COME OUT ALL THE WAY. ALSO HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE WATER PUMP WENT OUT ON THE FREEWAY,TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER THE WATER PUMP.WHITE SMOKE SOMETIMES COME OUT THE TAIL PIPES WHILE DRIVING.DASH BROARD LIGHTS KEEP COMING OFF AND ON WHEN DRIVING. THE TRUCK AND HOOD DOES NOT STAY UP THE AIR HOLDER GIVING OUT. WHEN YOU POP THE TRUCK OR THE HOOD IT DOES POP ALL TIME.

NHTSA ID

10907279

Incident

Sep 2, 2016

WHILE TURNING A CORNER MY STEERING WHEEL TURNED ONE DIRECTION WHILE MY TIRES STAYED STRAIGHT. ALSO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45 MILES AN HOUR. MY CAR WENT INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE ALMOST HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN MY WHEELS DECIDED TO TURN BACK WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST TO THE END OF STEERING RATIO. THIS CAR IS GOING TO END UP KILLING SOMEONE. THEN THERE WILL BE A MAJOR LAW SUIT. I REPLACED THE RACK & PINION. WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND NOW IT IS STARTING TO DO IT AGAIN. ALSO REPLACED THE TIE ROD ENDS. THE BOLTS BACK OUT OR BECOME LOOSE ON THE RACK & PINION. HAVE HAD TO TIGHTEN THEM ON MANY OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID

10745403

Incident

Jun 25, 2014

Mileage

14,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED, THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THE BOLT FROM THE RACK AND PINION DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10743862

Incident

Jul 1, 2015

Mileage

174,000 mi

SINCE I GOT MY 2000 CHRYSLER 300M, EVERYTIME I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS IT SHAKES AND POPS. I ALSO NOTICED EVERYTIME I MAKE A TURN IT GIVES A LOUD POPPING NOISE. EVERYTIME IM GOING 25-35 MPH IT FEELS LIKE MY FRONT TIRES ARE LOOSE AND SHAKY. SEEMS LIKE ITS ONLY GETTING WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10595009

Incident

Apr 3, 2013

Mileage

116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE IMMEDIATELY FELT AS IF IT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10502490

Incident

Mar 8, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

DRIVING APROX 10 MPH INTO TO SCHOOL PICK UP AND DROP OFF AREA, TO PICK UP CHILDREN AS SCHOOL WAS LETTING OUT. I LOST ALL STEERING FUNCTIONS, I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY RESIDENCE. MY HUSBAND FOUND THAT A BOLT HAD BROKE OFF THE TIE ROD ((RIGHT SIDE) GOING INTO THE RACK AND PINION AND THE (LEFT SIDE) BOLT TO THE TIE ROD HAD BACK OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION. THEIR WERE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. I THANK THE GOOD LORD THAT IT HAPPENED WHERE AND WHEN IT DID, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT OUTCOME A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD WITH MYSELF AND 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR GOING 45-50 MPH ON THE 2 LANE ROAD GOING BACK TO OUR HOME. NOW AS I DRIVE OUR OTHER VEHICLE AROUND AND SEE A CHRYSLER 300M I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IN THAT VEHICLE AND THE OTHERS AROUND THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10502069

Incident

Mar 1, 2013

Mileage

180,000 mi

THE CAR TRIED TO VIER OFF THE ROAD IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, WHEN I CORRECTED IN ONE DIRECTION IT WENT IN THE OTHER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10476605

Incident

Sep 10, 2012

Mileage

89,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MANEUVER BACK INTO A STRAIGHT POSITION. EVENTUALLY, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO THE PROPER POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE RACK AND PINION. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE SIMILAR FAILURE RECURRED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PREPARED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 04/18/12

NHTSA ID

10444037

Incident

Jan 7, 2012

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE STEERING BOLT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING AND THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID

10427165

Incident

Nov 22, 2010

Mileage

65,000 mi

2000 CHRYSLER 300M. *TR

NHTSA ID

10413189

Incident

Jul 1, 2011

Mileage

120,000 mi

LOOSE STEERING FELT SUDDENLY, LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT VERY SHARPLY INTO TWO LANES FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC, LUCKILY NO TRAFFIC WAS IMMEDIATELY ONCOMING.

NHTSA ID

10404871

Incident

Feb 4, 2011

Mileage

95,158 mi

RACK AND PINION TOTAL FAILURE. NO CONTROL OVER STEERING. TOWED TO GARAGE AND RACK AND PINION REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10350572

Incident

Aug 11, 2010

Mileage

71,454 mi

I NOTICED WHEN DRIVING MY 2000 CHRYSLER 300M OVER BUMPS THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE. MY STEERING HAS NOTICEABLE PLAY AND WHEN I MAKE TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO BIND SLIGHTLY AND I HAVE TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE FORCE TO CORRECT THE WHEEL BACK STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF THE WHEEL SPINNING FREELY BACK INTO PLACE LIKE NORMAL. ALSO WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS THIS POPPING NOISE THAT I CAN HEAR AND FEEL IN THE WHEEL. I RECENTLY HAD THE INNER TIE-ROD ENDS, OUTER TIE-ROD ENDS, AND ADJUSTER SLEEVES REPLACED. A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS ALSO DONE. I TEST DROVE MY CAR AFTER THE REPAIRS AND THERE IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS BEFORE. I DID SEE MY OLD INNER TIE-ROD ENDS AND THE BUSHINGS WERE WORN, BUT I GUESS THAT WAS NOT THE MAIN PROBLEM. WE PUT THE CAR BACK ON THE LIFT RACK AND ALL THE OTHER VISIBLE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE TIGHT. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM AND I WAS SHOCKED OF THE OUTCOME. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OF THE LH CAR (300M, INTREPID, LHS, CONCORDE). I READ THAT THERE ARE MANY CASES OF THE RACK & PINION GEARS GOING OUT. I ALSO READ THAT THE BOLT THAT TIGHTENS THE STEERING SHAFT TO THE RACK & PINION SHEARS OF AND THEN YOU LOOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE READ THAT THERE WERE A FEW DEATHS AND POSSIBLY MORE CAUSED BY THIS RACK & PINION FAILURE OR THE BOLT SHEARING OFF. I NOW HAVE TO BRING MY CAR BACK IN AND TRY TO EXPLAIN THIS TO THE MECHANIC. I HAVE READ THESE COMPLAINTS IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS IN EACH WEBSITE. I HOPE AND PRAY THIS PROBLEM OF LOOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ME. I WILL TAKE MY CAR IN IMMEDIATELY FOR AN INSPECTION. IN CONCLUSION, CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE COME OUT WITH A RECALL FOR THIS OR AT LEAST GIVE OUT A NOTICE FOR THIS KNOWN COMPLAINT AND HAVE AND UPDATED BOLT KIT FOR THE STEERING SHAFT SO THEY DO NOT SHEAR OFF. EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL SAFE WHEN DRIVING. I KNOW THAT I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10343769

Incident

Jul 16, 2010

Mileage

85,000 mi

BOLT ON RACK AND PINION SHEARED OFF WHEN PARKING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10332664

Incident

May 21, 2010

Mileage

107,000 mi

MY STEERING HAS A LIFE OF ITS OWN. STEERING PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT, ALMOST HIT A PUBLIC BUS. I'VE HAD 2 ALIGNMENTS AND BRAND NEW TIRES, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE FRONT END MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE AND VIBRATES REALLY BADLY. I'VE TAKEN IT TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE AS OTHER HAVE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THERE IS A PROBLEM. IM AFRAID OF LOSING MY LIFE AN RISKING OTHERS ON THE STREETS AND HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THIS SERIOUS ISSUE THE NO ONE WANTS TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10327770

Incident

Apr 16, 2010

Mileage

70,500 mi

LIGHT CLUNKING WHEN I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN THE STEERING GEAR GOT WORSE AND WORSE AND LOUDER AND LOUDER ERRATIC STEERING FLUID LEAKING VERY BAD AND LOTS OF POWER STEERING WHINES AND HARD TO KEEP STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING. EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING AND WANDERING AND THE FRONT WHEELS HAVE BEEN VIBRATING AND SHAKING WHILE DRIVING AND IT MAKES THE CAR WOBBLE VERY SCARED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH MY YOUNG CHILD BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER I HAVE ANOTHER RACK I GOT USED FOR 500 BUCKS BUT I HAVE NO WAY TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE MY LACK OF FUNDS I WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING GEAR BUSHINGS WHERE WORN OUT AND THAT I NEEDED MY RACK REPLACED A S SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10293286

Incident

Sep 12, 2008

Mileage

115,000 mi

FOUND PLAY IN RACK-N-PINION NEEDS REPLACED AND ALIGNED. FOUND TO BE UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10212277

Incident

Dec 5, 2007

Mileage

55,675 mi

1. THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC EVENT THAT LED UP TO THIS PROBLEM 2. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP MADE A REPAIR TO MY STEERING COLUMN 3. YESTERDAY, THE RACK AND PINION ( I KNOW IT'S MISSPELLED) BROKE ON THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE BLUE AND I HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY. I HAD JUST DROPPED MY 3 MONTH OLD SON OFF AND IF HE WOULD'VE BEEN IN THE CAR, THIS COULD'VE CAUSED A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM. MAYBE EVEN DEADLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10209381

Incident

Nov 18, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOSES CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE HORN AND AIR BAGS NOT TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED. THE REPAIR WILL COST $1,300. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THAT COMPONENT. THE VIN AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID

10200655

Incident

Jul 1, 2007

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE TIE ROD, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER 300 MILES. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,720.

NHTSA ID

10199526

Incident

Jul 14, 2007

Mileage

94,720 mi

I HAVE A 2000 300M. IT HAS EXPERIENCED SLOPPY STEERING, ?HITCHES? AND A LACK OF SMOOTHNESS, ESPECIALLY IN LEFT HAND TURNS, AND A TENDENCY TO NOT HAVE THE WHEEL COME BACK TO CENTER WITHOUT UNDUE FORCE BEING EXERTED. THE FRONT END ALSO MAKES SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF NOISES. THE CAR IS NOW IN A ASCE SHOP WITH COPIES OF INFORMATION AND TSB?S FOUND ON THIS SITE. I AM HOPING TO HAVE IT PROPERLY REPAIRED AND TO HAVE MY SON USE IT FOR COLLEGE (APPROXIMATELY 125 MILES AWAY). I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT, EVEN REPAIRED, THE CAR WILL BE UNSAFE. I BELIEVE I HAD AN ISSUE EARLY ON WITH IT AND THE DEALER REPLACED SOME TIE RODS OR SOMETHING. THE CAR NOW HAS 160,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE SPENT MONEY ON MANY ITEMS LIKE BRAKES, TIRES, COMPLETE SUSPENSION REPLACEMENT, SEVERAL FRONT END ALIGNMENT ISSUES, BATTERY, AIR CONDITIONING, ETC. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD SAFE CAR FOR MY SON. NOW I DON?T KNOW WHAT TO DO. TWO DAYS AGO A 19 YEAR OLD FAMILY FRIEND LOST CONTROL OF HIS 300M AND HIT A TREE. HE IS DEAD. *JB

NHTSA ID

10197817

Incident

Apr 6, 2007

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED, BUT THE WHEELS FAILED TO TURN. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE RACK AND PINION. THE RACK AND PINION FAILED ONCE BEFORE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 44,444 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPEND, THE BOLTS SHEARED WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 08/15/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10196748

Incident

Jul 22, 2003

Mileage

20,000 mi

THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY 2000 CHRYSLER 300 M IN 2003 (LESS THAN 50,000 ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME) WAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DODGE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING. WITHIN 2 YEARS, I WENT THROUGH TWO SETS OF 50,000 MILE TIRES/ FINALLY, THE BOLT IN THE RACK ASSEMBLE BROKE (IN A PARKING LOT THANK GOD) A PIECE OF THE BOLT WAS LEFT IN THE ASSEMBLY. THIS LED TO 1200 IN REPAIR WORK. A YEAR LATER, THERE WAS SO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING IT WAS NON DRIVABLE. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AGAIN AND PAID ANOTHER 1100 TO REPLACE TIRE RODS AND OTHER FRONT END PARTS DUE AGAIN TO "TORQUE PROBLEMS" WITH THE STEERING. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE SAME, BRAND NEW BOLT TIGHTENED TWICE TO KEEP IT FROM SNAPPING AGAIN. ALSO, BEEN THROUGH AN ADDITIONAL SET OF TIRES. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT I KNOW, AND THERE ARE WEBSITES COMPLAINING ABOUT IT ALL OVER THE PLACE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10195241

Incident

Jun 20, 2005

1) CAR MADE LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND TRAVELING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. HAD CAR LOOKED AT BY 2 DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. 2) FINALLY TOOK CAR IN FOR A 3RD TIME AND MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM. 3)CAR NEEDED NEW TIE RODS, SWAY BARS, ETC. FOR STEERING/SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT. REPAIRS COST OVER $1000. *NM

NHTSA ID

10175475

Incident

Aug 1, 2006

Mileage

50,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL FELT NOTICEABLY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED SIGNS OF WHEEL CLICKING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT 30 MPH. THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WAS PERMANENT GRADUAL WORSENING. THE CLUCKING NOISES WERE MORE PERCEPTIBLE WITH THE TURNING ROUND OF THE WHEEL ON EVERY ROAD CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

10165484

Incident

Aug 10, 2006

Mileage

26,000 mi