2002 Chrysler 300M Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler 300M. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's seat back fractured. The contact stated that upon sitting in the front driver's seat, the seat back collapsed and landed on the rear seat. The contact attempted to adjust the seat however, the front driver's seat failed to adjust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V035000 (SEATS); however, the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ID

11673312

Incident

Jul 11, 2025

Mileage

73,000 mi

The horn does not work which in the state of New Hampshire is a safety inspection item, and the dashboard lights work intermittently (not working more often than working) rendering the gauges unreadable at night. Not sure the exact date of the horn failure, but the steering wheel cruise control and audio controls stopped working, and I checked some forums that confirmed said failure might also disable the horn, and that is what happened. The problem occurs even when parked.

NHTSA ID

11465138

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

MY DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAS OOZED A GEL AND LOST REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO CHANGE LANES AND GET ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. THIS HAPPENED PRETTY QUICKLY. IT STARTED WITH TURNING AN AMBER COLOR, THEN EVERY TIME IT RAINED IT WOULD APPEAR AS A GEL LEAKED FROM BOTTOM OF MIRROR GLASS. NOW AS OF THIS DATE I AM UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING IN THIS MIRROR. I'VE SEEN OTHER CHRYSLER AND DODGE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND WORKED AT DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP IN OUR CITY AND SAID THIS HAPPENED A LOT IN CHRYSLER'S. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND DECEMBER 2016. COMPLETELY LOST REFLECTION IN FEBRUARY 2017.

NHTSA ID

10960079

Incident

Dec 1, 2016

Mileage

145,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO READJUST BACK INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V035000 (SEAT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ID

10836876

Incident

Feb 4, 2016

Mileage

69,000 mi

WHEN USING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED THE SEAT AND THE JACKET I WAS WEARING.

NHTSA ID

10825279

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

Mileage

131,000 mi

FUEL HOSE THAT RUNS TO THE FUEL RAIL HAS A HOLE ON IT THAT SQUIRTS FUEL ON THE MANIFOLD THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS OF CAR CATCH FIRE. DEALER SAID THE PART IS DISCONTINUED.

NHTSA ID

10818101

Incident

Jan 2, 2016

Mileage

9,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. MA 10/25/15 *CN

NHTSA ID

10761665

Incident

Sep 3, 2015

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN INTO A LOWER GEAR SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10722709

Incident

May 16, 2015

WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER SALE THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I HAVE NOW YET OVER 5K WORTH OF RECEIPTS OF REPAIRS COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT YET AGAIN THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN MOTION IN MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHT S INTERIOR POPS ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE FRICTION IN THE SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN ACTIVELY DOING THIS FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS WHEN I TOOK TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC ADVISED ITS A POORLY BUILT CAR AND WOULD NEED THE WHOLE ELECTRIC SYSTEM RE-WIRED. THE BIGGEST THING IS THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE BLEW I WAS IN THE FAST LANE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DROPPED TO 40 MILES AND EVERYONE BEHIND ME WAS QUICK AS I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE AMONGST OTHERS. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF UNDER THE DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (DODD-FRANK ACT), ALL COVERED PERSONS OR SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO REFRAIN FROM COMMITTING UNFAIR, DECEPTIVE, OR ABUSIVE ACTS OR PRACTICES (COLLECTIVELY,UDAAPS) IN VIOLATION OF THE ACT. THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB OR BUREAU) IS ISSUING THIS BULLETIN TO CLARIFY THE CONTOURS OF THAT OBLIGATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COLLECTING CONSUMER DEBTS.ANY FALSE, DECEPTIVE, OR MISLEADING REPRESENTATION.A SUBSTANTIAL INJURY TYPICALLY TAKES THE FORM OF MONETARY HARM, SUCH AS FEES OR COSTS PAID BY CONSUMERS BECAUSE OF THE UNFAIR ACT OR PRACTICE I HAVE NOW FILED OVER 4 COMPLAINTS AND WOULD LIKE A FAIR RESOLUTION OF REPAIRING MY TRANSMISSION INTO A NEW ONE WITH ALL COST COVERED BY CHRYSLER IN DOING SO I WILL CEASE ANY FURTHER ACTION LITIGATION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM AND DROP MY CASES WITH THE AGREEMENT THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS REPAIRED AND OR REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10684205

Incident

Feb 16, 2015

Mileage

174,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH ON THE GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LUG NUT ON THE RIGHT TIE ROD BECAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, THE PIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS PREVENTATIVE MEASURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.

NHTSA ID

10633113

Incident

Sep 12, 2014

Mileage

194,000 mi

HEADLIGHTS BLINK ON THERE OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10628783

Incident

Aug 5, 2014

Mileage

38,000 mi

MY SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER AND HEATER A/C AIR CONDITIONER CLIMATE TEMPERATURE CONTROL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING.I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD TO DRIVING, WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE HOW FAST YOU GOING AT NIGHT.I CALLED CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.I AM NOT THE ONLY CAR LIKE THIS, THERE IS OTHER CARS AROUND THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I THINK THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10626919

Incident

Aug 16, 2010

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V035000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10610323

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED. THIS CONNECTS ALL THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIRBAG TO THE CAR'S SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM HERE IS A SHORTAGE OF REPLACEMENTS-THE PART IS ON A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER. IT WOULD SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10596407

Incident

May 14, 2014

ON MY WAY TO WORK ON MAY 8TH 2014, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. IN A SPLIT SECOND DECISION I DECIDED TO GO TO WORK INSTEAD OF COFFEE FIRST TO CALL A MECHANIC AND WITHIN 2 MINUTES MY CAR HAD DIED. SMOKE WAS COMING IN THROUGH MY VENTS AND I HAD WITNESSES YELLING AT ME TO GET AWAY FROM MY CAR IT WAS ON FIRE. IN THE 5 MINUTES IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET THERE, THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS GONE. I HAD LITTLE TO NO WARNING OF THIS AND HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME THAT DAY AND THANKFUL THAT THE ONLY INJURY TO ME WAS SMOKE/FUME INHALATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10587717

Incident

May 8, 2014

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO JERK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10555121

Incident

Nov 14, 2013

Mileage

106,000 mi

I HAD BOTH FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES REPLACED AND A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. WHILE DRIVING HOME THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND UPON INVESTIGATING FURTHER I WAS TOLD THE RACK PINION ASSEMBLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL $850 JOB BECAME A $1750 JOB. *TR

NHTSA ID

10553737

Incident

Nov 25, 2013

Mileage

86,000 mi

THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MECHANIC WOULD PUT THE CAR ON THE MACHINE BUT HE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THE RADIO WAS THE FIRST TO GO OUT. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE ALARM SYSTEM CAME ON WHILE I WAS IN THE HOUSE AND THERE WAS NO ONE NEAR MY CAR. THREE YEARS AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BUT IT STARTED BACK WORKING. NOW THERE IS SOMETHING RUNNING MY BATTERY DOWN OVER NIGHT. THE ALTERNATOR IS ALRIGHT AND I REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE TIRE PRESSURE DISPLAY IS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10504209

Incident

Jul 2, 2006

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE INNER TIRE ROD BOLTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WITH A GRADE A BOLT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN ADDITIONAL BOLT SIX MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

NHTSA ID

10498022

Incident

Aug 17, 2011

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL RIMS WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO BECOME SLACK. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY ADD AIR TO THE TIRES ON A DAILY BASIS FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RIM, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP AND ROLL OVER TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

10475392

Incident

Sep 11, 2012

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BEARING JOINT FROM THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD NEVER OCCUR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,600.

NHTSA ID

10471174

Incident

Jul 30, 2012

Mileage

73,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300 M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONTAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT SIDE TRANSMISSION SHIFT OUTER BEARING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,600.

NHTSA ID

10470650

Incident

Jul 31, 2012

Mileage

73,600 mi

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE MALFUNCTION,TRANNY STUCK IN AUTO SHIFT MODE. NO WARNING LIGHT ON BUT SHIFTER FREE SHIFTS CANNOT PUT IN PARK. TURNED CAR OFF WILL NOT START, THE WORD DONE POPS UP ON DASH. RESEARCHED ONLINE SAME PROBLEMS WITH OTHER 300M MODEL YEARS FROM 1999 TO 2004. *TR

NHTSA ID

10456741

Incident

Apr 27, 2012

Mileage

97,070 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK REST WAS ON FIRE AND BURNING A HOLE THROUGH HIS COAT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT IN THE SEAT HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10448937

Incident

Jan 21, 2012

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN TO DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, SHUT OFF, AND ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND OVERFLOW RESERVOIR TANK WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10416229

Incident

Jul 29, 2010

Mileage

116,000 mi