2000 Chrysler 300M

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2004· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  SEVERAL YEARS OF RECURRENT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION NOISE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS WITH NO SUCCESS. AT THE FIFTH OR SIXTH COMPLAINT, AND WHEN THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, THE PASSPORT CHRYSLER DEALER ADVISED THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M.*AK

• 12/21/1999· STEERING

  PULLING OUT OF A TRAIL STATION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WOULDN'T TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. MADE THREE ATTEMPTS. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

• 12/20/2006· AIR BAGS

  TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASE A 2000 CHRYSLER LH MARCH IN 2006. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE DASH BOARD OVER THE AIRBAG DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO OWNER OF DEALERSHIP ONE MONTH LATER BECAUSE THE REPAIR ON DASH BOARD SPLIT OPEN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD ONLY REPAIR AND NOT REPLACE THE DASH BOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 11/30/06 HIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HIS VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. CONTACT HAD HIS INSURANCE ADJUSTER LOOK AT VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD BY THE ADJUSTER THAT THE DASH BOARD IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE ADJUSTER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE DASHBOARD COULD NOT BE PATCH OVER THE AIRBAG DOORS. THE CONTACT SAID THAT INSURANCE THE ADJUSTER SAID THAT PIECES OF PAINT AND PUTTING COULD COME OFF INTO PASSENGERS FACE AND EYES.

• 12/18/2007· STEERING

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

• 12/18/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT DASHBOARD LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY FLICKERED. WHEN THE LIGHTS FLICKERED THEY FULLY ILLUMINATED. THIS CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

• 12/17/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE FUEL TANK STRAP ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SNAPPED. IT IS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ALSO CORRODED BUT HAS YET TO BREAK. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER TO REQUEST THEY PUT IN A RECALL OR SPECIAL WARRANTY TO COVER REPLACEMENT OF THIS ITEM AND REMINDED THEM OF THE FORD FUEL TANK STRAP RECALL HTTP://WWW.AUTOWEEK.COM/ARTICLE/20110801/CARNEWS/110809984 CHRYSLER ADVISED ME THAT THEY CANNOT CONSIDER MY REQUEST. I LET THEM KNOW THAT I WOULD INFORM YOU OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FUEL TANK COULD DROP AND CAUSE AN EXPLOSION AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS (I.E. FUEL TANK DROPPING AND FUEL SPILLING). THESE STRAPS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COATED WITH AN ANTI CORROSIVE DURING OR PRIOR TO MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/15/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL FILTER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ONCE THE FUEL FILTER BECOMES CLOGGED, IT STOPS THE WATER PUMP FROM WORKING AND THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN IT REACHES 100,000 MILES AND OVER. THE FUEL FILTER IS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK. THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT MENTION HOW TO CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE FILTER WOULD BE RISKY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

• 12/15/2004· STRUCTURE

  THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASHBOARD WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL BE AFFECTED. *AK *NM

• 12/15/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK BURNED OUT. *TC THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO HIT THE FRONT AUTO LOCK AND THE BUZZER, THEN GO AROUND AND OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER MAKES AND MODELS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *SC *JB

• 12/15/2003· TIRES,WHEELS

  RIMS CORRODED WHERE THE TIRE SHOULD HAVE SEALED AGAINST THE RIM. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE FLATTENED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

• 12/13/2000· TIRES

  THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF THIS VEHICLE FAILED ON THE DATE INDICATED. LESS THAN 4 HOURS LATER, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF THE SAME VEHICLE FAILED. THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A SIDEWALL DEFECT. THERE ARE NO APPARENT PUNCTURES. THE TIRES EXHIBIT A TEAR, FROM INSIDE OUT, IN THE SIDEWALL. UNSUBSTANTIATED RUNMOR FROM A TIRE INSTALLER IS THAT HE "SEES THIS PROBELM ON THIS TIRE ALL OF THE TIME". *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/55R17 )

• 12/11/2006· SEATS

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT ADJUSTER FAILED AND THE SEAT BACK FELL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

• 12/10/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY FAILED AND CAUSED THE DRIVE AND V-BELT TO SEPARATE FROM ALL REMAINING PULLEYS. AMONG OTHER THINGS, I LOST POWER STEERING TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT TRAVELLING ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD OR I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ALIVE TO WRITE THIS REPORT. AS IT WAS IT TOOK A LOT OF STRENGTH TO BE ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE CLEAR OF THE ROADWAY. THE PARTS DISTRIBUTOR TOLD MY MECHANIC THEY WERE SHIPPING AN AVERAGE OF 55 REPLACEMENT CRANSHAFT PULLEYS A MONTH.*AK

• 12/09/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  VIBRATION NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE/REVERSE AT LOW RPM 1000-1500 RPM. TESTED AND SEEMS TO COME FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. *AK

• 12/08/2002· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  NOT ABLE TO TOTALLY LOCK ALL DOORS. SYSTEM IS ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED. VERY NOISY WHEN AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED AT 15 MPH. NECESSARY TO DEACTIVATE, THUS HAVING TO MANUALLY LOCK DOORS. BECAUSE THIS WAS A STANDARD OPTION, IT SHOULD WORK FOR REASONABLE LENGTH OF TIME. WHEN ORDERING REPLACEMENT PART, WAS INFORMED OF A TWO WEEK WAIT BECAUSE OF LOCAL BACK ORDER ON LIKE PART, INDICATING MANY OTHER OWNERS WERE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS SECOND FAILURE. FIRST TIME WAS ON DRIVER FRONT DOOR, SECOND TIME WAS ON PASSENGER FRONT DOOR. CAN THE BACK DOORS BE FAR BEHIND? DT

• 12/07/2006· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  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

• 12/01/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I CAME OUTSIDE ONE DAY AND PRESSED THE KEYLESS ALARM AND HEARD A LOUD EEEEEEEHHHHHHH NOISE. IT WAS MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK MAKING THIS LOUD OBNOCIOUS SOUND. THAT WAS BACK IN APRIL OF 2004. THEN JUST THIS MONTH (NOVEMBER) THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISE. THIS RESULTS IN ME HAVING TO PRESS THE REMOTE 4 AND 5 TIMES JUST TO OPEN THE DOOR. AS FAR AS THE BACK DOOR, I HAVE TO PRESS THE KEYPAD SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN OPEN THE LOCK FROM THE INSIDE. ON TOP OF THAT, ONE DAY WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE LATCH JUST POPPED. NOW, YOU HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR ON THAT SIDE. GOD FORBID I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE WHOEVER IS ON THAT SIDE OR SITTING BEHIND ME WILL DEFINITELY BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. AT THIS MOMENT, I AM TRYING TO GET MONEY UP TO GET THESE ISSUES FIXED BECAUSE THE ESTIMATE THAT I RECEIVED FOR JUST THE REAR AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WAS ALMOST $400 ALONE. THAT'S NOT INCLUDING THE LIGHTER THAT JUST STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY OR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW THE FALL INTO THE DOOR IF YOU ATTEMPT TO ROLL IT DOWN.*AK

• 12/01/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS SLOW TO READ OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES. *SLC

• 11/30/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL FLICKERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT REPAIRS WERE MADE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,120.

• 11/30/2006· AIR BAGSCrash

  2000 CHRYSLER 300M, FRONT IMPACT WITH 1,600 LBS STEER, AT 55 MPH. TOTALED CAR AND SEVERELY INJURED DRIVER. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS HAPPENED AT 1 A.M., COW WAS A BLACK ANGUS THAT RAN OUT OF DITCH DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF CAR. BACK OF COW CRASHED THROUGH ENTIRE WINDSHIELD, STOPPED CAR IMMEDIATELY ON IMPACT. *NM

• 11/27/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE REAR DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE 1ST RIGHT REAR AT 46000 AND THE NEXT LEFT REAR AT 62000. THE FIRST TIME THE LOCK ACTUATOR BECAME VERY NOISY,K AND I HAD IT REPLACED BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE AT A COST OF 220.00 AT THE DEALER, OFF WARRANTY. THE NEXT WAS THIS PAST WEEK AT 62000. THIS TIME THE LOCK COMPLETELY FAILED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUT. THIS TIME IT COST 340.00 I CONSIDER BOTH FAILURES AT FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE AS A SIGN THAT THIS LOCK MECHANISM IS VERY DEFECT PRONE AND THE FACT THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN IN ANY WAY A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE.*AK

• 11/27/2002· AIR BAGS

  CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG HOUSING IS CRACKING AND THIS COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO BE DEFECTIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

• 11/27/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 11/25/2003· STEERING

  STEERING RACK FAILED AT 51,000 MILES. EXCESSIVE PLAY, LOOSE, LOCKING ON TURNS, EXCESSIVE NOISE. REPLACED BY OWNER SINCE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR AS WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. *LA

• 11/24/2003· STEERING

  THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. VEHICLE LOST POWER MOMENTARILY. LATER IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.....................................*JB

• 11/23/2009· STEERING,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 11/21/2002· STEERING

  CONSUMER STATES WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

• 11/19/2007· STEERING

  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

• 11/18/2005· TIRES,WHEELS

  2000 CHYSLER 300M. MYSELF AND TWO NEIGHBORS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM NUMBEROUS TIMES THIS YEAR. WE ARE FINDING THAT THE WHEELS ARE RUSTING/PEELING AND CAUSING THE SEAL ON THE TIRES TO BREAK, THUS, CAUSING CONSTANT FLAT TIRES. WE'VE ALL HAD THE WHEELS CLEANED AND RE-SEALED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT FEEL THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD LET ALONE A CONCERN OF OWNERS FINDING FLAT TIRES ALL THE TIME. OUR DEALER INDICATED NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THAT THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE MANUFACTURER OF THE WHEELS. THAT'S IT....WE'D LOVE TO HAVE THESE WHEELS REPLACED AT NO COST TO US SINCE THEY ARE EXPENSIVE. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AS TO WHAT WE AS OWNERS (3) CAN DO ABOUT THIS. *NM

• 11/18/2004· EQUIPMENT

  A/C UNIT ON CAR. REPLACE FREON 3 TIMES, O RINGS ONCE , COMPRESSOR ONCE AND NOW THE EVAPORATOR CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. *AK

• 11/18/2003· STRUCTURE

  THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD LOCATED OVER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER ONLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE WHICH ADVISED CONSUMER TO HAVE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD REPLACED. ALSO, IT WAS INDICATED THAT THIS PROCEDURE COULD MODIFY THE AIR BAG'S EFFECTIVENESS. *AK

• 11/18/1999· VISIBILITY

  THE SAFETY PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. WITH THE WINDSHIELD HAVING SUCH A HIGH ANGLE OF SLANT, DURING MID-DAY SUNNY DAYS, THE UPPER DASH REFLECTS SO BADLY IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE IS GREATLY IMPAIRED. EVEN THOUGH THE DASH IS IN A MATTE FINISH, THERE IS STILL CONSIDERABLE REFLECTION. IN MY OPINION, ENOUGH REFLECTION TO RAISE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. *AK

• 11/15/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT A TREE DEAD ON GOING ABOUT 35 MPH, AND AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS "TOTALLED" HOWEVER, IT CAN BE REPAIRED. EXACT DAMAGE COST HAVE YET TO BE FIGURED, BUT IT WILL BE BETWEE $3000-$5000. THE CAR IS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD.*AK

• 11/13/2008· WHEELS

  THERE IS SERIOUS CORRODING AND PITTING ON THE RIMS. THE RIMS LEAK 15 TO 25 PSI DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER. POTENTIALLY FATAL IF NOT NOTICED BEFORE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A VERY COMMON WITH THE TYPE OF RIM USED ON CHRYSLER MODELS. THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2002. *TR

• 11/13/2007· SEATS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELL BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE SEAT BACK IN PLACE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,980.

• 11/12/2004· STEERING

  WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN THERE IS A TENDENCY THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILS MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO MANEUVER. THE BRAKES ALSO TEND TO SQUEAK WHENEVER THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN.*AK

• 11/10/2003· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER HEARD FRONT END NOISE, AND VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER INDICATED THAT RIGHT FRONT STRUT BROKE. *AK

• 11/09/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-50 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE SERPENTINE BELT DISCONNECTED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS RECONNECTED IN ODER TO RESUME DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND THEY INFORMED THE REPAIR KIT WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

• 11/09/2004· TIRES,WHEELS

  TIRES ARE CONSTANTLY BEING DEFLATED BECAUSE OF CORROSION ON WHEELS. HAD THE WHEELS CLEANED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 11/05/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  THERE WERE NO EVENTA LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE- MY CHRYSLER 300 M HAD BEEN SITTING IN OUR GARAGE FOR 4 HOURS.. AND STARTED ON FIRE, WHICH THEN CAUGHT OUR HOUSE ON FIRE ( WHICH WE OWNED 19 DAYS) , RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF OUR HOME, THE VEHICLE, AND 2 OUTSIDE BUILDINGS- DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

• 11/05/2003· SEAT BELTS

  THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED FORWARD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT.*AK

• 10/31/2003· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DOOR LOCK BUZZING AND FAILURE TO UNLOCK DOOR. OCCASIONALLY DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE UNTIL THE ELECTRIC LOCK IS TOGGLED A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE MANUAL BUTTON IS PULLED UP. OFTEN TIMES THE BUTTON WILL NOT PULL UP UNLESS THE ELECTRIC SWITCH IS TOGGLED FIRST. I HAVE EXITED CAR ON OCCASION TO HAVE THE DOOR STILL BE LOCKED WHEN I ATTEMPT TO OPEN IT (DOOR SHOULD UNLOCK UPON OPENING FROM INSIDE). TALKED TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO "POSSIBLY PLAYING WITH THE LOCKS BY MY CHILDREN" FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED LESS THEN ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. *LA

• 10/31/2003· WHEELS

  WHEEL CENTER CAP FALLS OFF. RUSTED THROUGH SPINDLE DUST COVER. WHEEL CENTER CAP IS HELD IN PLACE BY STEEL SPRING TABS. THE RIM IS ALUMINUM. THE CENTER CAPS START GETTING LOOSE AND WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING FOLLOWED BY THEM BRAKING AND FALLING OFF. THIS LAST TIME WHEN I GOT THE TIRES REPLACED THE TIRE INSTALLER INFORMED ME THAT SEVERE CORROSION WAS TAKING PLACE AND THAT THE SPINDLE DUST COVER HAD RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING MOISTURE AND DIRT TO ATTACK MY WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS VEHICLE HAS JUST TURNED THREE YEARS OLD AND I EXPECT THE WHEEL CENTER CAPS AND SPINDLE DUST COVERS SHOULD LAST MORE THAN A YEAR EACH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE WHEEL CENTER COVER(S) ARE TO BE REPLACED. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE WEATHER IN VA. I ALSO NOTED SEVERAL 300M VEHICLES IN PARKING LOTS WITH THE CENTER CAPS FLOPPING AROUND OR MISSING. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT OF COMBINING STEEL WITH ALUMINUM WITHOUT A PROTECTIVE COATING OR INSULATOR TO STOP THE CORROSION. *LA

• 10/31/2003· TIRES

  TIRE PRESSURE DROPS WEEKLY. I MUST CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST EVERY OTHER WEEK OR IT WILL DROP BELOW 20 PSI. I USUALLY RUN MY TIRES AT THE MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE TO REDUCE THE INTERVAL AT WHICH I MUST CHECK THE TIRES. REPLACED TIRES AND CHANGED BRANDS WITHOUT ANY DIFFERENCE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE LOOKED LOW AND WAS CHECKED TO BE AT 26 PSI. I HIT A POTHOLE ON THE WAY HOME AND PUT A SEVERE DENT IN THE RIM. TIRE WENT FLAT APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER. (SPEED AT 45 MPH). REPLACED FRONT WHEEL/TIRE WITH FULL SIZE SPARE. REAR TIRE WHICH HAD 30 PSI WENT FLAT AND ROLLED OFF THE RIM IN A CORNER WITHIN 5 MINUTES. REAR RIM ALSO HAD A DENT. IT APPEARS TO BE A CORROSION SEALING ISSUE. THE RIMS ARE 17" ALUMINUM WITH STEEL CENTER CAP MOUNTING BRACKETS AND BOLTED TO A STEEL HUB. I WILL PAINT THE NEW RIMS AND HUBS TO PREVENT THE STEEL TO ALUMINUM CONTACT WHICH HAS BEEN SUGGESTED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE CORROSION BY A DIFFERENT DEALER. *LA

• 10/31/2003· SEATS

  SEAT WOBBLES AND LEANS FORWARD / AFTER WHEN ACCELERATING DECELERATING. *LA

• 10/31/2003· STEERING

  STEERING WHEEL COVER PEELING, WHEEL HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER ONCE BEFORE. (14,000 MILES). *LA

• 10/31/2003· STEERING

  UNABLE TO ADJUST VEHICLE TOE. DEALER REPLACED STEERING WHEEL DUE TO PEELING AND DID A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND OIL CHANGE. VEHICLE CAME BACK WITH STEERING WHEEL COCKED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE BACK AND IT WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE WHEEL STRAIGHT. I RAN THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES WHEN THE TIRE DEALER ADMITTED THE TOE ADJUSTER WAS FROZEN ON ONE SIDE AND THAT HE AND POSSIBLY THE MECHANIC BEFORE HAD SET BOTH WHEELS TO A SLIGHTLY TOE'D OUT CONDITION TO ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE STRAIGHT. OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL COCKED AT A SLIGHT ANGLE. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. BUT THE ADJUSTER HAS BEEN "STUCK" OF FROZEN SINCE THE FIRST TRIP TO THE DEALER. *LA

• 10/29/2005· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE

  2000 CHRYSLER 300M DEVELOPED A 10" CRACK OVER PASSENGER AIRBAG. *JB

• 10/28/2003· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE

  ONE WEEK AGO A 3" SPLIT APPEARED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD VINYL NEAR THE AIR BAG. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS IN SOMEWAY RELATED TO, OR IS GOING TO AFFECT, THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS BEGINNING TO OCCUR IN MANY 1999 AND 2000 300M'S. FOUR YEARS SEEMS MUCH TOO EARLY FOR A PROBLEM LIKE THIS TO OCCUR. THE VINYL IS STILL RESILIENT AND PLIABLE, NOT HARD OR BRITTLE. MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER (ALLEN JAY) TELLS ME THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT. THEY SUGGESTED I SEE ABOUT HAVING REPAIRED BY SOMEONE WHO DOES VINYL REPAIR. IN MY OPINION THIS WOULD FURTHER AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK

• 10/27/2000· VISIBILITY

  THERE IS A REFLECTION COMING FROM DASHBOARD THAT BLINDS DRIVER ON SUNNY DAYS. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD BEING AT AN ANGLE. *AK *SLC