2000 CHRYSLER 300M Recalls, Complaints & Safety

The contact owns a 2000 Chrysler 300M. The contact stated that the lift support struts of the hood and the trunk had failed, causing the trunk and the hood to close on her head when raised. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE MISFIRE FUEL INJECTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAHARA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 5050 W SAHARA AVE #3400, LAS VEGAS, NV 89146, (800) 506-5050) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE TUBE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL WAS LEAKING, WHICH CAUSED THE VACUUM TUBE, FUEL LINE CLIP, FUEL SUPPLY TUBE, AND FUEL VAPOR TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE TWICE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M EQUIPPED WITH TOYO PROXES T1R TIRES (NA), SIZE: 245/45ZR16 94W (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM ALL FOUR TIRES AND THERE WERE CRACKS IN EACH TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE STORE, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE TIRES TO A TIRE STORE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE DOT NUMBER AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING

TAKATA RECALL THE KEY IGNITION KEPT GETTING STUCK UNTIL THE KEY BROKE OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE SEATBELTS GETS STUCK SOMETIMES WHEN I PUT SON THE CAR AND THEY DONT COME OUT ALL THE WAY. ALSO HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE WATER PUMP WENT OUT ON THE FREEWAY,TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER THE WATER PUMP.WHITE SMOKE SOMETIMES COME OUT THE TAIL PIPES WHILE DRIVING.DASH BROARD LIGHTS KEEP COMING OFF AND ON WHEN DRIVING. THE TRUCK AND HOOD DOES NOT STAY UP THE AIR HOLDER GIVING OUT. WHEN YOU POP THE TRUCK OR THE HOOD IT DOES POP ALL TIME.

AFTER STARTING MY CAR BEFORE WORK IN THE MORNING, THE DRIVERS STEERING COLUMN/DASH AREA BURST INTO FLAMES THAT WERE BRIGHT BLUE/WHITE IN COLOR AND UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT STATED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DRIVERS DASH AREA OR STEERING COLUMN. THIS FIRE ENGULFED MY ENTIRE CAR VERY QUICKLY, AND NEARLY BURNT DOWN MY HOUSE! THE CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 6 FEET FROM MY HOME. AS IT WAS BURNING, I HEARD THE ENGINE KEEP RESTARTING ITSELF AS IF SOMETHING WAS GOING ON WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER OR SYSTEM. IT WAS STATIONARY. PLEASE HELP!

Fire

AFTER STARTING MY CAR BEFORE WORK IN THE MORNING, THE DRIVERS STEERING COLUMN/DASH AREA BURST INTO FLAMES THAT WERE BRIGHT BLUE/WHITE IN COLOR AND UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT STATED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DRIVERS DASH AREA OR STEERING COLUMN. THIS FIRE ENGULFED MY ENTIRE CAR VERY QUICKLY, AND NEARLY BURNT DOWN MY HOUSE! THE CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 6 FEET FROM MY HOME. AS IT WAS BURNING, I HEARD THE ENGINE KEEP RESTARTING ITSELF AS IF SOMETHING WAS GOING ON WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER OR SYSTEM. IT WAS STATIONARY. PLEASE HELP!

Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M EQUIPPED WITH UNIROYAL, TIRE LINE: TIGER PAW, TIRE SIZE: 225/55R1797J, AND DOT NUMBER: Y900FPUU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SEAL BETWEEN THE RIM AND THE TIRE SEPARATED CAUSING LOSS OF AIR TO THE TIRE. IT WAS UNKNOWN THE LOCATION OF THE TIRE THAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE TIRE AND VEHICLE MILEAGE WERE 128,000.

WHILE TURNING A CORNER MY STEERING WHEEL TURNED ONE DIRECTION WHILE MY TIRES STAYED STRAIGHT. ALSO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45 MILES AN HOUR. MY CAR WENT INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE ALMOST HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN MY WHEELS DECIDED TO TURN BACK WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST TO THE END OF STEERING RATIO. THIS CAR IS GOING TO END UP KILLING SOMEONE. THEN THERE WILL BE A MAJOR LAW SUIT. I REPLACED THE RACK & PINION. WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND NOW IT IS STARTING TO DO IT AGAIN. ALSO REPLACED THE TIE ROD ENDS. THE BOLTS BACK OUT OR BECOME LOOSE ON THE RACK & PINION. HAVE HAD TO TIGHTEN THEM ON MANY OCCASIONS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION PROPERLY. THE KEY WOULD ONLY EJECT FROM THE IGNITION AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,236.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED, THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THE BOLT FROM THE RACK AND PINION DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

SMELLED GAS COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR OF ENGINE WITH SMALL DROPS FALLING ON EXHAUST PIPE I LOOKED THIS UP AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1999 CHRYSLERS BUT DID NOT LIST MY 2000 MODEL. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM WAS NEVER REMEDIED AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR WAS RECALLED BUT THE NEXT MODEL YEAR USED THE SAME PARTS BUT WAS NOT RECALLED. I WENT ONLINE CHECKING TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE AND THERE WERE MANY OTHERS THAT COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM. MOST OF THEM SAID IT WAS FROM A PLASTIC PART THAT HOOKED TO THE FUEL LINE CONNECTING TO A FUEL INJECTION DISTRIBUTION CENTER. I CALLED A CHRYSLER PARTS DEPARTMENT AT A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER HAD CHANGED THE WAY THIS LINE WAS MADE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE LHS AND 300M MODELS. THESE MODEL CARS ARE UNSAFE TO OPERATE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY MANUFACTURED GAS LINE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND COULD CAUSE FIRES AND POSSIBLE INJURIES OR WORSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED TO WORK AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AND THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V343000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO SUDDENLY RECLINE TO A FULL HORIZONTAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A PLASTIC GEAR TO THE SEAT MOTOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO REMEDY WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,387.

SINCE I GOT MY 2000 CHRYSLER 300M, EVERYTIME I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS IT SHAKES AND POPS. I ALSO NOTICED EVERYTIME I MAKE A TURN IT GIVES A LOUD POPPING NOISE. EVERYTIME IM GOING 25-35 MPH IT FEELS LIKE MY FRONT TIRES ARE LOOSE AND SHAKY. SEEMS LIKE ITS ONLY GETTING WORSE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT FROM AN UPRIGHT TO RECLINING POSITION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE IMMEDIATELY FELT AS IF IT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

DRIVING APROX 10 MPH INTO TO SCHOOL PICK UP AND DROP OFF AREA, TO PICK UP CHILDREN AS SCHOOL WAS LETTING OUT. I LOST ALL STEERING FUNCTIONS, I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY RESIDENCE. MY HUSBAND FOUND THAT A BOLT HAD BROKE OFF THE TIE ROD ((RIGHT SIDE) GOING INTO THE RACK AND PINION AND THE (LEFT SIDE) BOLT TO THE TIE ROD HAD BACK OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION. THEIR WERE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. I THANK THE GOOD LORD THAT IT HAPPENED WHERE AND WHEN IT DID, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT OUTCOME A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD WITH MYSELF AND 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR GOING 45-50 MPH ON THE 2 LANE ROAD GOING BACK TO OUR HOME. NOW AS I DRIVE OUR OTHER VEHICLE AROUND AND SEE A CHRYSLER 300M I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IN THAT VEHICLE AND THE OTHERS AROUND THEM. *TR

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT STOP AND REAR ENDED ME. BOTH FRONT SEATS IN MY CAR LET LOOSE AND THE SEAT BACKS WENT FULLY RECLINED. MY WIFE AND I WERE BOTH LAYING ON OUR BACKS WITH HEADS ON THE BACK SEAT. THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING, IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO GET UPRIGHT AND STOP THE CAR. CHRYSLER TOLD ME THE SEATS ARE DESIGNED THIS WAY. HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID "THE SEATS IN YOUR VEHICLE. OUR DESIGN TO PROGRESSIVELY TILT JUST DURING A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE IDEA BEHIND THAT, IS THAT IT DOES LESSON INJURIES TO THE FRONT SEAT VEHICLE OCCUPANTS ONCE THAT HAPPENS SO THAT WOULD BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A REAR END COLLISION". I SAY [XXX]. IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE BACK THE SEAT WOULD HAVE BROKEN THEIR LEGS. IT WAS NOT A"PROGRESSIVE" TILT, THEY FLEW BACK. THEY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Crash 1 injured

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT STOP AND REAR ENDED ME. BOTH FRONT SEATS IN MY CAR LET LOOSE AND THE SEAT BACKS WENT FULLY RECLINED. MY WIFE AND I WERE BOTH LAYING ON OUR BACKS WITH HEADS ON THE BACK SEAT. THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING, IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO GET UPRIGHT AND STOP THE CAR. CHRYSLER TOLD ME THE SEATS ARE DESIGNED THIS WAY. HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID "THE SEATS IN YOUR VEHICLE. OUR DESIGN TO PROGRESSIVELY TILT JUST DURING A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE IDEA BEHIND THAT, IS THAT IT DOES LESSON INJURIES TO THE FRONT SEAT VEHICLE OCCUPANTS ONCE THAT HAPPENS SO THAT WOULD BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A REAR END COLLISION". I SAY [XXX]. IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE BACK THE SEAT WOULD HAVE BROKEN THEIR LEGS. IT WAS NOT A"PROGRESSIVE" TILT, THEY FLEW BACK. THEY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Crash 1 injured

THE CAR TRIED TO VIER OFF THE ROAD IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, WHEN I CORRECTED IN ONE DIRECTION IT WENT IN THE OTHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MANEUVER BACK INTO A STRAIGHT POSITION. EVENTUALLY, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO THE PROPER POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE RACK AND PINION. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE SIMILAR FAILURE RECURRED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PREPARED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 04/18/12

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

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE STEERING BOLT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING AND THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

2000 CHRYSLER 300M. *TR

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.

I PURCHASED A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M IN 2009. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE WEATHER STRIPPING AROUND THE DOORS WAS DIFFERENT UNTIL MY MECHANIC SAID IT SHRUNK. I SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL FOR THIS. I FOUND COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. THEY ALL SAID CHRYSLER KNEW IT WAS A DEFECT BUT WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT THEIR COST NOT MINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V035000 ( SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TWO BRACKETS THAT HELD THE SEAT IN PLACE WERE DISINTEGRATED AND THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,934. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. IN ORDER TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300 M. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER SEAT BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BY POURING WATER ON IT AND DISCONNECTED THE SEAT MOTOR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Fire

BUZZING NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE FRONT/REAR DOORS WHEN PRESSING THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK AFTER REACHING A CERTAIN SPEED. THIS NOISE DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE, ONLY WHEN LOCKING. *TR

WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS, RADIO AND COMPASS LIGHTS FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY OR BECOME VERY BRIGHT FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN BECOME VERY DIM FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE ONLY NOTICED THIS OCCURRENCE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE IN USE. DURING THIS EVENT, THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO APPEAR TO BECOME BRIGHTER OR GO DIM AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

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

Fire

THE UNLOCK MECHANISM ON BOTH OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS IS "STRIPPED." IN ORDER UNLOCK EITHER OF THOSE DOORS, I MUST FIRST CYCLE THE AUTOMATIC LOCK BUTTON - EITHER FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OR THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, THEN GET INSIDE THE CAR AND MANUALLY RAISE BOTH OF THOSE LOCKS BY HAND. NEITHER DOOR WILL OPEN WITHOUT THIS PROCESS. WHEN USING THE AUTOLOCK BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THERE IS A HORRIBLE, LOUD, GRATING NOISE, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE GEARS ARE STRIPPED INSIDE THE DOOR. THERE IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD, AS ANYONE INSIDE THE CAR CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FIRST USING THE BUTTON, WHICH DOES NOT WORK. *TR

THE WHEELS ON THE 2000 CHRYSLER 300M ARE CHROME PLATED, WHICH LEADS TO SLOW LEAKS INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES TWICE DUE TO ABNORMAL WEAR AND TEAR DIRECTLY RELATED THE CHROME ISSUE. ALSO, THE I MUST RE-INFLATE THE TIRES TWICE A WEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE CAR IS ROAD-WORTHY. THIS HAS LED TO MULTIPLE DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AND IS A COMPLETE NUISANCE. I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS GROUND BOTH TIMES I REPLACED THE TIRES TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT IT PERSISTS AND DOES NOT MATTER WHAT TYPE OF TIRES I PUT ON THE CAR. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG AUTOMOTIVE PEOPLE. *TR

RACK 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 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

TL*(THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT INVOLUNTARILY RECLINED RESULTING IN A CRASH THAT DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PERSON WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

Crash 1 injured

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 "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