WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRES FAILED TO RESPOND TO STEERING MOVEMENT. *AK
2001 Chrysler 300M
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Chrysler 300M do not stand out strongly from 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
64 reports with mileage · 27 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 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. 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.
What owners actually said
91 reportsTHERE WAS NO INITIAL WARNING PREVIOUS TO MALFUNCTION. TRAVELING DOWN I-64 IN NORFOLK, VA TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ESTIMATED $3,800 IN DAMAGE. FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT.*AK
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE POPPED WHEN DISENGAGED. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS 2 INCHES FOLLOWED BY THE WHEEL LOCKING UP AND THE STOP MOVING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE FLAT BEDDED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO WAS REPLACING THE PARTS THAT FAILED. *AK
CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAM ON. TRANSMISSION LOCK IN A LOW GEAR. TOOK TO FIVE STAR DEALERSHIP WULLENWEBER FOR SERVICE. REPLACED A TRANSMISSION MODULE FOR $600. TWO WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN LOCK IN A LOWER GEAR WHILE ON I75. HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP WULLENWEBER WERE IT WAS TWO WEEKS EARLIER. TOLD ME THAT …
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CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAM ON. TRANSMISSION LOCK IN A LOW GEAR. TOOK TO FIVE STAR DEALERSHIP WULLENWEBER FOR SERVICE. REPLACED A TRANSMISSION MODULE FOR $600. TWO WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN LOCK IN A LOWER GEAR WHILE ON I75. HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP WULLENWEBER WERE IT WAS TWO WEEKS EARLIER. TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS GOOD BUT THE ENGINE BEARING WAS BLOWN AND THE A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE WOULD COST BETWEEN $4,000 AND $6,000 . THIS IS A 2001 300M WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP AS THE DEALERSHIP IS COMPLETELY REFUSING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RESULTING SEVER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. *JB
YESTERDAY I NOTICED THAT A SMALL CRACK NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAD APPEARED. I COULDN'T IMAGINE WHY BEING THAT MY CAR IS NOT THAT OLD AND I KEEP MY CAR CLEAN AND THE DASHBOARD MOISTURIZED. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE CRACK BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANT…
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YESTERDAY I NOTICED THAT A SMALL CRACK NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAD APPEARED. I COULDN'T IMAGINE WHY BEING THAT MY CAR IS NOT THAT OLD AND I KEEP MY CAR CLEAN AND THE DASHBOARD MOISTURIZED. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE CRACK BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. AND, I CANNOT REPAIR THE CRACK BECAUSE IT MIGHT COMPROMISE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT! I HAVE READ THAT SERVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE? *LA
MY TIMING BELT WENT ON MY CHRYSLER 300M 2001, CAUSING A COMPLETE VALVE JOB. IN LOOKING ON THE WEB IT SEEMS AS IF MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR YEARS. WE NEED TO HOLD OUR CAR DEALERS TO THE SAME STANDARD AS THEY HOLD US FOR PAYMENT. *AK
RACK AND PINION STEERING ON 2001 CHRYSLER 300M HAS SUDDENLY WORK LOOSE INTERNALLY. COMPANY WILL NOT EXPLAIN WHY STEERING HAS BECOME LOOSE. THERE IS 50,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. WE DO NOT KNOW IF VEHICLE STEERING SYSTEM IS BREAKING DOWN AND ARE REPLACING RACK AND PINION BEFORE ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. THERE IS NOW A QUARTER TURN OF …
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RACK AND PINION STEERING ON 2001 CHRYSLER 300M HAS SUDDENLY WORK LOOSE INTERNALLY. COMPANY WILL NOT EXPLAIN WHY STEERING HAS BECOME LOOSE. THERE IS 50,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. WE DO NOT KNOW IF VEHICLE STEERING SYSTEM IS BREAKING DOWN AND ARE REPLACING RACK AND PINION BEFORE ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. THERE IS NOW A QUARTER TURN OF SLACK IN STEERING, CREATING A DRIVING HAZARD. CHRYSLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE ISSUE. IT APPEARS AS IF THE WORM GEAR IN THE SYSTEM IS BREAKING LOOSE FROM THE SHAFT.
WHILE DRIVING THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. *NM AS THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE THE GEAR IN PARK AND SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE TO MAKE THE VEHICLE PROCEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. THE CLUTCH ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FO…
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WHILE DRIVING THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. *NM AS THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE THE GEAR IN PARK AND SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE TO MAKE THE VEHICLE PROCEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. THE CLUTCH ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRICAL SURGES CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS SEEMED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT DUE TO CORROSION OF THE WHEEL.*AK POOR FINISH MATERIALS ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE CAUSED THE BEAD AT THE TIME TO UN-SEAT CAUSING RAPID DEFLATION AT 60 MPH. *MR
DASHBOARD CRACKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAUSED THE DASHBOARD TO CRACK. DASHBOARD ALONG WITH THE AIR BAG WERE REPLACED. *AK
Official recalls
303V035000 · 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.
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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