Engine
3.5L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 75 of 83 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 54 of 83 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Electrical system
14 complaint records1 fire report2 crash reports
"AT FAULT ACCIDENT. AREA OF IMPACT WAS FRONT DRIVER SIDE. FAILURE OF AIRBAG TO DEPLOY CAUSED SERIOUS BRUISING TO MY CHEST, ARMS AND LOWER ABDOMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED BY INSURANCE COMPANY...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
13 complaint records1 fire report1 crash report
"WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEATS AND SHUTS OFF. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT ARE UNABLE TO RESOLVE IT.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Steering
12 complaint records3 crash reports
"I, LIKE MANY OTHER, HAVE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 CHRYSLER 300M STEERING. I AM TOLD THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHING IS BAD AND AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH I GUESS I AM NOT ALONE. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE03010 opened Feb 2003 | closed Sep 2003 | Vehicle Speed Control | THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE 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... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03V035000 | Seats | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003035 2003-02-14 | Seats And Restraints | 135,327 | On certain vehicles, the driver seat recliner bolts could break which would allow the seat back to recline unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFI20210322_626- Mar 2021 | Fuel System | This SKU is a Engine Heater Hose Assembly. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the hose bending geometry. If the hose is not formed properly, it will interfere with surrounding components and prevent installation. | |
| 9004275 Jul 2020 | Electrical System | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. | |
| 23-015-20 Apr 2020 | Equipment | Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19 | |
| 08-049-20 Apr 2020 | Equipment | Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary. | |
| 31-006-19 Nov 2019 | Structure | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31-003-19 Nov 2019 | Equipment | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. | |
| 31-005-19 Nov 2019 | Equipment | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. | |
| 3100619 Nov 2019 | Equipment | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. | |
| 3100319 Nov 2019 | Structure | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. | |
| 3100519 Nov 2019 | Structure | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. | |
| 9003623 Nov 2016 | Equipment | Wiper If Mopar OE wipers are unavailable, the below alternatives can be offered instead. 05066964A$ = WBRW0011A$ 05066973A$ = WB000019A$ or WBF00019A$ 05096134A$ = WB000027A$ or WBF00028A$ 55154762A$ = WB000013A$ 68001330A$ = WB000019A$ or WBF00019A$ 05012611A$ = WB000021A$ or... | |
| 23027 Aug 2016 | Electrical System | Return: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock packaged before 2016/07/31 (31 July, 2016)of follow ing part numbers:68176457AF, 68176459AF. | |
| 23137 Aug 2016 | Equipment | Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part numbers: 1ZA04DX9AE, 1ZA05DX9AE. See attachments for identifying suspect stock. | |
| 23104 Aug 2016 | Equipment | 05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 05182535AD . See attachments for identifying suspect stock. | |
| 20244 Aug 2016 | Equipment | CBXDP361AA Return: Spacer Kit - Visor You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock of part number CBXDP361AA. Replacement part number is CBXDP361AB w hich is in stock and available for order. | |
| Volume 2, Issue Aug 2016 | Equipment | Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations | |
| 22892 Aug 2016 | Equipment | Return: Lamp Assy - CHMSL& Cargo Light You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return all stock of follow ing part numbers:55372082AE, 55372082AD, 55372082AC, 55372082AB, 55372082AA. | |
| 22867 Aug 2016 | Electrical System | Inspect and Return: Solenoid Module - Transmission You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of follow ing part numbers:52120000AA, 52119435AF, 05078709AB. | |
| 22958 Aug 2016 | Electrical System | 1NT30XDVAC - Inspect and Return: Panel - Instrument Panel You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 1N T30XDVAC. See attachments for identifying suspect stock. | |
| 20616 Aug 2016 | Electrical System | P/N CBSZR068AA: Inspect & Return: Module Kit - Occupant Restraint You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return part number CBSZR068AA as per the QIR attached. | |
| Volume 2, Issue Jun 2016 | Equipment | Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations | |
| R2118796A Feb 2016 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. | |
| 9002519 Mar 2013 | Equipment | 82212076, 82203694 - Fabric Cleaner This "fabric cleaner" is not intended for sale in California, the otc states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington dc), and some ladco states (Illinois,... | |
| 21-001-13 Jan 2013 | Electrical System | MIL Illumination - DTC P1776 Solenoid Switch Valve Latched in LR Position | |
| 1802907 Apr 2007 | Power Train | GENERIC POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROCEDURE. *KB | |
| 0803006 Aug 2006 | Power Train | POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *KB | |
| 2401305 Aug 2005 | Equipment | AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) COOLING COIL ODOR. *TT | |
| 0801505 Mar 2005 | Power Train | POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *SC | |
| 2400204 Jul 2004 | Equipment | AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER PERFORMANCE. *TT | |
| 2304702 May 2004 | Structure | INTERIOR FRONT DOOR HANDLE/BEZEL REPLACEMENT. *MJ | |
| 1800604A Apr 2004 | Power Train | GENERIC POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROCEDURE. *TT *MJ THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES BULLETIN 18-006-04A DATED 04/06/2004. *TT | |
| 0900204 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SHORT DURATION COLD ENGINE START-UP TICKING LIKE SOUND. THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO MARCH 31, 2003. *MN | |
| 1804203 Nov 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | FLASH-ROUGH IDLE. *PH | |
| 0900503 Nov 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SHORT DURATION COLD ENGINE START-UP TICKING LIKE SOUND. *TT | |
| 1800703C Aug 2003 | Power Train | GENERIC POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROCEDURE. 2004 MODELS INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 1800703B Jul 2003 | Power Train | GENERIC POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROCEDURE. 2004 MODELS INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 0802203 Jul 2003 | Electrical System | HEADLAMP/INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION. 2004 MODELS INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 1800703A Jul 2003 | Power Train | GENERIC POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROCEDURE. *TT | |
| 0703 Jul 2003 | Structure | THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN THE FRAME & BUMPERS - FRAME - SPECIFICATIONS - FRAME DIMENSIONS SECTION HAS BEEN UPDATED. *TT | |
| 2301103 May 2003 | Structure | SAG OR RATTLE AT REAR OF HEADLINER. *TT | |
| 1801703 Apr 2003 | Electrical System | ERRONEOUS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION - ERRONEOUS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC). *TT | |
| 0900203 Mar 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE STUMBLE AND/OR MISFIRE - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION. *TT | |
| 1800703 Mar 2003 | Power Train | GENERIC POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROCEDURE. *TT | |
| 1400103 Jan 2003 | Fuel System | FUEL TANK SLOW TO FILL. INCLUDING MY2004. *TT | |
| 0200103 Jan 2003 | Suspension | SQUEAKING SOUND FROM REAR STRUT(S). *TT | |
| 2300203 Jan 2003 | Structure | WIND NOISE FROM SUNROOF OR B-PILLAR WHILE DRIVING. *TT | |
| 02020 Oct 2002 | Power Train | DELAYED TRANSAXLE ENGAGEMENT AFTER INITIAL START UP. *TT | |
| 02019 Oct 2002 | Equipment | INCORRECT SOFTWARE FLASH - TSB 1801502 AND 1803102. *TT | |
| 1803102 Oct 2002 | Interior Lighting | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION, ERRONEOUS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0153, P0159, P0135, P0141, P0155, P0161, P0131, P0132, P0137, P0138, P0151, P0152, P0157, P0158. *TT | |
| 1400102A Oct 2002 | Fuel System | FUEL CAP DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. *TT | |
| 0801002A Aug 2002 | Equipment | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE FRONT DOOR SPEAKER HAS A DISTORTED SOUND AND / OR DOOR TRIM PANEL BUZZS / RATTLES WHEN THE AUDIO SYSTEM IS OPERATED AT MODERATELY HIGH TO MAXIMUM VOLUME LEVEL. *TT | |
| 0801002 Jul 2002 | Equipment | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE FRONT DOOR SPEAKER HAS A DISTORTED SOUND AND / OR THE DOOR TRIM PANEL HAS A BUZZ / RATTLE WHEN THE AUDIO SYSTEM IS OPERATED. *TT | |
| 2302802 Jun 2002 | Visibility | SUBJECT REGARDING AN INOPERATIVE OR INTERMITTENT SUN ROOF. *SLC | |
| 1802002 Jun 2002 | Unknown Or Other | FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC | |
| 1400102 May 2002 | Fuel System | SUBJECT REGARDING FUEL CAP DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. *SLC | |
| 1801402 Apr 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING TRANSAXLE LIMP-IN, ENGINE MISFIRE, ENGINE NO-START. *SLC | |
| 1801502 Apr 2002 | Unknown Or Other | SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON FOR MISFIRE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE - MAP VALUE STORED IN FREEZE FRAME AND SIMILAR CONDITIONS WINDOW MAY BE INCORRECT. *SLC | |
| 0800702 Mar 2002 | Electrical System | SUBJECT REGARDING REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *SLC | |
| 2200102 Mar 2002 | Unknown Or Other | CHROME WHEEL CARE. *SLC | |
| 2301302 Mar 2002 | Structure | SUBJECT REGARDING A SNAPPING SOUND WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING FRONT DOOR. *SLC |
Showing 60 of 75 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Chrysler 300M →