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.
2000 Chrysler 300M
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most 300M years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Chrysler 300M are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 300M years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
135 reports with mileage · 107 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
53 reportsRACK AND PINION TOTAL FAILURE. NO CONTROL OVER STEERING. TOWED TO GARAGE AND RACK AND PINION REPLACED. *TR
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 T…
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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
BOLT ON RACK AND PINION SHEARED OFF WHEN PARKING THE CAR. *TR
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 "UNA…
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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
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 A…
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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
FOUND PLAY IN RACK-N-PINION NEEDS REPLACED AND ALIGNED. FOUND TO BE UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
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 I…
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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
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 …
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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.
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 …
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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.
Official recalls
603V035000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Feb 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
01V273000 · Structure:frame And Members
Aug 2, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES (NON-SUNROOF ONLY) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD WERE TO CONTACT THE B-PILLAR.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A STORAGE BIN ACCESSORY UNIT THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE B-PILLAR ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, IF AN OWNER WISHES, THE DEALER CAN PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
00V366000 · Child Seat
Nov 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
00V033000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
Feb 4, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MOLDING FLASH ON THE PRIMARY LEVER MAY PREVENT THE OPERATION OF THE G-LOCK AND TILT LOCK FUNCTIONS ON SOME OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE RETRACTORS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS IN A FRONTAL CRASH SITUATION, DRIVER PROTECTION FROM THE SEAT BELT MAY BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES.
00V034000 · Seat Belts
Feb 4, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.
99V343000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 2, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN INCORRECT INFLATOR CHARGE AMOUNT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A PASSENGER OCCUPANT INJURY UNDER CERTAIN ACCIDENT CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE WITH A CORRECT MODULE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE03010 · Throttle Control Failure
Opened Feb 27, 2003 · Closed Sep 2, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
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