RoadVitals

2003 Chrysler 300M Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jun 23, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Chrysler 300M, 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

  • Engine1127.5%
  • Airbags410.0%
  • Electrical410.0%
  • Fuel system37.5%
  • Other / unspecified37.5%
  • Brakes37.5%
  • Interior & seats25.0%
  • Body & structure25.0%
  • Driver assistance25.0%
  • Transmission25.0%
  • Powertrain (other)12.5%
  • Steering12.5%
  • Visibility12.5%
  • Exterior lighting12.5%

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

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10939477 · filed Jan 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,600.

NHTSA ID 10939290 · filed Jan 3, 2017
All 11 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER 300M. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V567000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 15V313000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 10871293 · filed May 27, 2016

OUR 2003 CHRYSLER 300M AIRBAG LIGHT AND DTC CODE P 0581 BOTH WENT ON APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO. P0581 INDICATES CRUISE CONTROL MULTI-FUNCTION INPUT A CIRCUIT HIGH. THE CAR HAS 38,000 MILES. I SPOKE WITH A CHRYSLER DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TWO OCCURRENCES INDICATED A BAD 'AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING COIL'. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON CHRYSLER LLC MINIVANS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO THAT THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING IN OTHER CHRYSLER MODELS. BECAUSE THIS SEEMS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER LLC VEHICLES, IS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS? ALSO, THE DTC CODE P0420 INDICATING 1/1 CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. CHRYSLER LLC SEEMS TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SAFETY AND EMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10268626 · filed May 13, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER 300M. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V567000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 15V313000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 10871293 · filed May 27, 2016

THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE CARPORT DURING THE NIGHT. AT ABOUT 5:25 IN THE MORNING THE CAR START TO BURNING BY ITSELF AND IT LOOKS LIKE AN ELECTRICITY FAILURE HAS HAPPENED. THE CAR BURNED ALL THE FRONT PARTS FROM THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE DASH. *TR

NHTSA ID 10335853 · filed Jun 11, 2010

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR IS JERKING AS IT IS TRYING TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR AT 55+ MILES PER HOUR. IT IS ALSO SLUGGISH LIKE IT IS WORKING HARDER TO JUST DRIVE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON BUT AAMCO TRANSMISSION AND GP AUTO COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WORK WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. GP AUTO TELLS US IT IS THE APS BRAKE SYSTEM THAT IS LOCKED UP THUS MAKING THE CAR DRIVE LIKE THE PARKING BRAKES IS ON HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION BACK FROM SHIFTING. CURRENTLY HAS 175,365 MILES ON A 2003 CHRYSLER 300M

NHTSA ID 10781791 · filed Oct 13, 2015

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING FUEL SENSOR LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD FLASH DUE TO VAPOR LINE MELTING. *AK

NHTSA ID 10026508 · filed Jul 2, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE STEERING AXLE ATTACH TO THE RACK OF PINION KEEP COMING OFF. WHEN THAT HAPPEN THE WHEEL FELL TO THE GROUND. IN MY CAR THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID 11330391 · filed Jun 23, 2020

THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. ALSO THE RED "AIR BAG" LIGHT ON THE DASH IS LUMINATED. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE SYMPTOMS AND IT APPEARS TO BE A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING. CHRYSLER HAS HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. IT APPEARS THAT THEY NOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CHRYSLER 300M. IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITHOUT A HORN THAT WORKS AND I HAVE TO ASSUME THAT BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THAT IT IS NOT WORKING EITHER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10257633 · filed Feb 5, 2009

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR IS JERKING AS IT IS TRYING TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR AT 55+ MILES PER HOUR. IT IS ALSO SLUGGISH LIKE IT IS WORKING HARDER TO JUST DRIVE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON BUT AAMCO TRANSMISSION AND GP AUTO COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WORK WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. GP AUTO TELLS US IT IS THE APS BRAKE SYSTEM THAT IS LOCKED UP THUS MAKING THE CAR DRIVE LIKE THE PARKING BRAKES IS ON HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION BACK FROM SHIFTING. CURRENTLY HAS 175,365 MILES ON A 2003 CHRYSLER 300M

NHTSA ID 10781791 · filed Oct 13, 2015

REAR BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED DURING AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC STATED THEY WORE OUT. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID 10103154 · filed Jan 5, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V035000 (SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER) IN 2003 AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILED AND THE SEAT COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SEAT A SECOND TIME BUT THE BOLT FAILED AGAIN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AROUND A BEND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME FOR THE REPAIR AND THE DEALER AGAIN, REPAIRED THE SEAT BOLT YET THE SEAT BOLT FAILED A FOURTH TIME AND WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BOLT FAILED FOR THE FIFTH TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT THE FIFTH FAILURE ON MARCH 15, 2011 AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE APRIL 7, 2011. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD EXPEDITE THE DELIVERY OF THE PART. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID 10394290 · filed Apr 5, 2011

THE PRESET DRIVERS SEAT AND MIRROR DOES NOT GO TO THE PRESET POSITION WHEN THE KEY FOB HAS BEEN PUSHED(UNLOCKED) IT WORKS SOMETIMES,(50%). *TR

NHTSA ID 10231942 · filed Jun 22, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DASH AREA ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HAS DEVELOPED A CLEAN SLIT NOW IN EXCESS OF 6" LONG EXPANDING TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD. IT APPEARS TO BE PART OF THE BREAKAWAY PORTION OF THE DASH IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I AM CONCERNED THAT, IN ADDITION TO THE UNSIGHTLY APPEARANCE OF THE DASH, THAT IT MAY INTERFERE WITH OR TRIGGER AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, AND MAY THEREFORE BE A SAFETY HAZARD. WE HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF 4 300M'S AND THREE OF THE FOUR HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TWO (1999 AND 2001) WERE REPAIRED UNDER THE 3-YEAR WARRANTY, BUT THE 2003 IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10269093 · filed May 18, 2009

DASHBOARD IS TWO COLORS. PH

NHTSA ID 10007531 · filed Feb 15, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OUR 2003 CHRYSLER 300M AIRBAG LIGHT AND DTC CODE P 0581 BOTH WENT ON APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO. P0581 INDICATES CRUISE CONTROL MULTI-FUNCTION INPUT A CIRCUIT HIGH. THE CAR HAS 38,000 MILES. I SPOKE WITH A CHRYSLER DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TWO OCCURRENCES INDICATED A BAD 'AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING COIL'. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON CHRYSLER LLC MINIVANS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO THAT THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING IN OTHER CHRYSLER MODELS. BECAUSE THIS SEEMS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER LLC VEHICLES, IS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS? ALSO, THE DTC CODE P0420 INDICATING 1/1 CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. CHRYSLER LLC SEEMS TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SAFETY AND EMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10268626 · filed May 13, 2009

WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD AT TIMES AND OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING AND AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS HIT. *AK CHYSLER FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THERE WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND ACCELERATED INTO THE REAR WALL OF THE GARAGE. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID 10034239 · filed Sep 15, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY; HOWEVER IT WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION VALVE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,549 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,036. UPDATED 03/22/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN

NHTSA ID 10381017 · filed Feb 7, 2011

HAD JUST GOTTEN CAR BACK FROM DEALERS GARAGE FOR AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR. HAD DRIVEN LESS THAN ABOUT 10 MILES SLOW CITY DRIVING 35MPH MAX. WHEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND THE TRANSMISSION WENT TO FULL THROTTLE INSTANTANEOUSLY. HIT BRAKES, TRIED TO CHANGE GEARS, STEER OUT OF TRAFFIC, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. FINALLY TURNED OFF THE KEY TO THE ENGINE. TURNED ON TWICE TO SEE IF ANY IMPROVEMENT. NONE. WHEN MECHANIC ARRIVED WITHIN ABOUT AN HALF HOUR AND TURNED ON ENGINE NO PROBLEM EXCEPT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS SHOWED BUILD UP OF PRESSURE IN TRANSMISSION CODE OF SOME KIND AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE HUB HAD BROKEN. TRANSMISSION NEEDED REBUILT OR REPLACED. HAD NOT THOUGHT TO REQUEST DEALER HOLD OLD PARTS BUT JUST CALLED TO REQUEST THEM TO HOLD . *TR

NHTSA ID 10269784 · filed May 23, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK, SURGE FORWARD, AND THEN SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID 10629395 · filed Aug 29, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE STEERING AXLE ATTACH TO THE RACK OF PINION KEEP COMING OFF. WHEN THAT HAPPEN THE WHEEL FELL TO THE GROUND. IN MY CAR THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID 11330391 · filed Jun 23, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT WINDSHIELD SHOWS A REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD. DRIVER'S VISIBILITY IS IMPAIRED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER BELIEVES IT'S A POOR DESIGN. *AK

NHTSA ID 10044006 · filed Oct 15, 2003

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TWICE, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED SERVICE DEALER AND FOUND PROBLEM. PLEASE DISREGARD COMPLAINT. *AK *CB *JB

NHTSA ID 10029755 · filed Aug 7, 2003

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

Data on this page last refreshed .