KnownCarProblems2002 Chrysler 300M Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chrysler 300M, most often about the electrical (16% of complaints, typically around 42,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about 300M model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Chrysler 300M problems
Electrical
13 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
Automatic transmission torque converter defective at 41,944 miles under extended warranty warning light came on first time and dealer could not find problem. Light came back on 50 miles after car was returned. Repaired by dealer with no hassle. Very good service power outlet in interior console cracked and fell into…
Tl contact owns 2002 Chrysler 300M. While the vehicle was parked the contact stated that the headlights would turn on and off on without assistance. The radio, cruise control and traction control also turned on and off as well. The tire pressure light illuminated on the dashboard but the tire pressure was checked and…
Engine
13 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
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…
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…
Transmission
12 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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…
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…
Steering
10 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, hydraulic power assist system, steering wheel/handle bar.
My 2000 Chrysler 300M with aprox 83,000 miles, began to experience a loose feel to the steering, clunks upon turning, suspension rattle over bumps. Odd front tire tread wear pattern. Took to shop for alignment and inspection. Shop informed me that car was unalignable due to impending failure of inner tie rod bushing.…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler 300M. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH she heard a loud banging noise and the steering wheel became very stiff. The vehicle was shut off and towed to her home. An independent mechanic examined the vehicle and informed the contact that one of the bolts within the…
Air bags
9 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
While driving 35 MPH a deer ran out in front of the consumer's vehicle. The driver swerved to avoid hitting the animal then lost control and hit a tree. Upon impact the dual air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained a fractured arm.
Rear end accident approx 35-40 miles per hour, car towed from scene, approx $6000 damage to front end, and driver air bag did not deploy, sustained, back, neck and leg injures, they stated wiring could of been corroded.
Brakes
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Parking brake failed. The cause has yet to be determined; however, dealer stated that parts to repair parking brake were unavailable at this time.
The brakes and rotors continued to wear prematurely. The dealer stated that the rotors were warped. The rotors were warping due to harsh composition of the brake pad. The front pads and rotors were replaced. The rotors were out of round. There was pulsation when the vehicle was driven at 60 MPH, therefore the front…
Seats
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
2002 Chrysler 300M driving on busy highway (rt20) at 40 MPH, heard a loud bang, next think I knew I was laying flat in the car in back seat looking at ceiling. Rear seat back broke and seat fell backward, I found myself crossing double yellow line going into oncoming traffic. Called dealer Chrysler-plymouth of…
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…
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, rim.
Due to size of tires on his car they actually act like slicks in the winter time and I had to change all 4 tires to studded winter tires to compensate for the sliding around at corners and the unstable conditions while on snow and ice when driving down the road!!
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Chrysler 300M recalls
Seats: recliner
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, seat back recliner bolt breakage can occur resulting in the seat back reclining unexpectedly.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Throttle control failure
Summary
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.
Questions about the 2002 Chrysler 300M
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chrysler 300M?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (13 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles); engine (13 complaints, typically around 95,500 miles); transmission (12 complaints, typically around 73,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chrysler 300M have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 5, 2003 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Chrysler 300M?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about 300M model year since 2000, with 83 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.