IllustrationMY STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED AND MADE THIS GRINDING, SCRAPPING SOUND TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THEN SOMETHING POPPED WHERE MY AIRBAG IS AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND MY HORN WILL NOT WORK. YOU CAN STILL HEAR THE SCRAPPING SOUND WHILE DRIVING OR BACKING UP. *TR
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 →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
140–25K
725–50K
1350–75K
1075–100K
8100–150K
2150K+
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 reportsREAR 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. *TR
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
I PARKED MY CAR AT AN AIRPORT PARKING LOT. LOT WAS FULL AND I HAD TO VALET PARK. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION GAVE KEYS TO THE ATTENDANT. LEFT LOT IN VAN FOR AIRPORT. ATTENDANT STARTED CAR ROLLED TO THE GATED EXIT. WHEN WAITING FOR THE GATE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. DRIVER SIDE BAD …
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I PARKED MY CAR AT AN AIRPORT PARKING LOT. LOT WAS FULL AND I HAD TO VALET PARK. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION GAVE KEYS TO THE ATTENDANT. LEFT LOT IN VAN FOR AIRPORT. ATTENDANT STARTED CAR ROLLED TO THE GATED EXIT. WHEN WAITING FOR THE GATE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. DRIVER SIDE BAD DID NOT DEPLOY. DASH DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT $4000. I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY TOOK TWO DAYS TO ANALYZE THE CAUSE. THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD CONTROL MODULE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THEY DID NOT OFFER RELIEF FOR THE PARTS OR WORKMANSHIP CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION. *TR
WE WERE REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. BOTH OF OUR SEATS CAME LOOSE FROM THE FLOOR AND THE HINGES BROKE ON OUR SEAT BACKS. OUR AUTO WAS TOTALED AND TAKEN AWAY BY THE OTHER PERSONS INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
DESIGN FLAW IN CHRYSLER 300M 3.5 MOTOR ENGINE-- BLOCK HEAD RESTRCITION CAUSING CAR TO CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT. I AHVE SPENT WELL OVER $1000.00 NOW TO GET THIS FIXED AND CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOTIFIED BY MECHANIC AND CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP THAT THEY HAVE HAD 268 CASES OF THESE 300M VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS FOR O…
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DESIGN FLAW IN CHRYSLER 300M 3.5 MOTOR ENGINE-- BLOCK HEAD RESTRCITION CAUSING CAR TO CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT. I AHVE SPENT WELL OVER $1000.00 NOW TO GET THIS FIXED AND CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOTIFIED BY MECHANIC AND CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP THAT THEY HAVE HAD 268 CASES OF THESE 300M VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS FOR OVERHEATING AND POSSIBILITY OF FIRE. CHRYSLER HEADQUATERS HAS NO KNOWLEDGE, (I SAY APPARENTLY), BUT FEEL FREE TO CALL MONTGOMERY BREWBAKER CHRSYLER AND HAIGLER'S AUTO REPAIR IN MONTGOMERY ALABAMA AND THEY WILL GLADLY INDICATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS SITUATION. APPARENTLT IT'S A FLAW IN THE 3.5 ENGINE IN CHRYSLER. NO APPARENT RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. PLEASE ADVISE AND ASSIST IN CORRECTING THIS MAJOR ISSUE. *TR
2002 CHRYSLER 300 M OVERHEATING CONCERNS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE METAL FILLING FROM THE MANUFACTURING OF THE ENGINE PLUGGED THE COOLING SYSTEM CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WANTS A RECALL AND COMPENSATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
ENGINE OVERHEATING DUE TO METAL FILINGS IN THE COOLING SYSTEM FROM MANYFACTURING OF ENGINE. $2400 TO REPLACE PLUGGED RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300 M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-15 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A YEAR AGO DURING THE WINTER. THE STEERING AND POWER BRAKES BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER, AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACTS VEHICLE TO CROSS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300 M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-15 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A YEAR AGO DURING THE WINTER. THE STEERING AND POWER BRAKES BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER, AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACTS VEHICLE TO CROSS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE LAST REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN OCTOBER 2006. SINCE THE REPAIR NO FAILURES OCCURRED UNTIL RECENTLY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH DOWN HILL THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. HE THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALWAYS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOFFMAN AUTOMOTIVE AND WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOUR TO FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND INSTALLED A CO-PILOT ON IT TO MONITOR THE ENGINE FUNCTIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,100, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.*AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED COPIES OF THE INVOICES OF THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 05/23/07 *TR
HORRENDOOS MOLDY ODOR CAME FROM HEATING/AIR CONDITIONER WHEN ITWAS TURNED ON. SERVICE MANAGER, CITRUS CHRYSLER SAYS NOTHING CAN BE DONE EXCEPT REPLACE CONDENSER FOR OVER $800.00. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AS REQUIRED. EVAPORATOR SYSTEM HAS BEEN CLEANED TWICE. IF THERE IS A RECOGNIZED DEFECT IN 2004 300M'S, ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THA…
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HORRENDOOS MOLDY ODOR CAME FROM HEATING/AIR CONDITIONER WHEN ITWAS TURNED ON. SERVICE MANAGER, CITRUS CHRYSLER SAYS NOTHING CAN BE DONE EXCEPT REPLACE CONDENSER FOR OVER $800.00. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AS REQUIRED. EVAPORATOR SYSTEM HAS BEEN CLEANED TWICE. IF THERE IS A RECOGNIZED DEFECT IN 2004 300M'S, ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTED IN THE 2002 300M? *AK
Official recalls
103V035000 · 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
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.