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2002 Chrysler 300M

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Chrysler 300M do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 52.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 29 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports3 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

83 reports
38,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS BLINK ON THERE OWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628783

109,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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…

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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 ODI #10626919

80,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Power TrainSeats

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 TH…

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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 ODI #10610323

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2014
Air Bags

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 ODI #10596407

125,000 miles · May 12, 2014
EngineFireInjury

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 T…

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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 ODI #10587717

106,000 miles · Dec 6, 2013
Power Train

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 DEFEC…

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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 ODI #10555121

86,000 miles · Nov 25, 2013
SteeringSuspension

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 ODI #10553737

50,000 miles · Mar 22, 2013
Electrical System

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 WH…

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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 ODI #10504209

135,000 miles · Feb 13, 2013
Steering

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 M…

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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 ODI #10498022

98,000 miles · Sep 14, 2012
WheelsCrash

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…

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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 ODI #10475392

Official recalls

1

03V035000 · 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.

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

1

PE03010 · 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.