CHRYSLER 300M · model year

2002 CHRYSLER 300M

104 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002CHRYSLER300M carries 104 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 3 fires, 18 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 300M is electrical system with 9 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (6) and seats (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 88 investigation files overlapping the 2002 300M, and 7 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

104
Complaints
17
Crashes
3
Fires
18
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

104 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL6
SEATS6
STEERING6
POWER TRAIN6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
TIRES3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY3
ENGINE3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2

Recalls (2)

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

03V03500005/02/2003

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.

Recent Complaints

20250714SEATS

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 seat failed to adjust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V035000 (SEATS); however, the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

Mileage: 73,000

20220518ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The horn does not work which in the state of New Hampshire is a safety inspection item, and the dashboard lights work intermittently (not working more often than working) rendering the gauges unreadable at night. Not sure the exact date of the horn failure, but the steering wheel cruise control and audio controls stopped working, and I checked some forums that confirmed said failure might also disable the horn, and that is what happened. The problem occurs even when parked.

20170310UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAS OOZED A GEL AND LOST REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO CHANGE LANES AND GET ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. THIS HAPPENED PRETTY QUICKLY. IT STARTED WITH TURNING AN AMBER COLOR, THEN EVERY TIME IT RAINED IT WOULD APPEAR AS A GEL LEAKED FROM BOTTOM OF MIRROR GLASS. NOW AS OF THIS DATE I AM UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING IN THIS MIRROR. I'VE SEEN OTHER CHRYSLER AND DODGE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND WORKED AT DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP IN OUR CITY AND SAID THIS HAPPENED A LOT IN CHRYSLER'S. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND DECEMBER 2016. COMPLETELY LOST REFLECTION IN FEBRUARY 2017.

Mileage: 145,000

20160218SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO READJUST BACK INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V035000 (SEAT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

20160210SEATS

WHEN USING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED THE SEAT AND THE JACKET I WAS WEARING.

Mileage: 131,000

20160105FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL HOSE THAT RUNS TO THE FUEL RAIL HAS A HOLE ON IT THAT SQUIRTS FUEL ON THE MANIFOLD THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS OF CAR CATCH FIRE. DEALER SAID THE PART IS DISCONTINUED.

Mileage: 9,000

20150904ENGINE

TL* 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 UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. MA 10/25/15 *CN

Mileage: 75,000

20150601POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN INTO A LOWER GEAR SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20150601ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN INTO A LOWER GEAR SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20150218POWER TRAIN

WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER SALE THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I HAVE NOW YET OVER 5K WORTH OF RECEIPTS OF REPAIRS COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT YET AGAIN THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN MOTION IN MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHT S INTERIOR POPS ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE FRICTION IN THE SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN ACTIVELY DOING THIS FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS WHEN I TOOK TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC ADVISED ITS A POORLY BUILT CAR AND WOULD NEED THE WHOLE ELECTRIC SYSTEM RE-WIRED. THE BIGGEST THING IS THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE BLEW I WAS IN THE FAST LANE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DROPPED TO 40 MILES AND EVERYONE BEHIND ME WAS QUICK AS I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE AMONGST OTHERS. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF UNDER THE DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (DOD

Mileage: 174,000

20150218ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER SALE THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I HAVE NOW YET OVER 5K WORTH OF RECEIPTS OF REPAIRS COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT YET AGAIN THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN MOTION IN MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHT S INTERIOR POPS ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE FRICTION IN THE SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN ACTIVELY DOING THIS FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS WHEN I TOOK TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC ADVISED ITS A POORLY BUILT CAR AND WOULD NEED THE WHOLE ELECTRIC SYSTEM RE-WIRED. THE BIGGEST THING IS THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE BLEW I WAS IN THE FAST LANE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DROPPED TO 40 MILES AND EVERYONE BEHIND ME WAS QUICK AS I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE AMONGST OTHERS. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF UNDER THE DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (DOD

Mileage: 174,000

20150218ENGINE

WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER SALE THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I HAVE NOW YET OVER 5K WORTH OF RECEIPTS OF REPAIRS COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT YET AGAIN THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN MOTION IN MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHT S INTERIOR POPS ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE FRICTION IN THE SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN ACTIVELY DOING THIS FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS WHEN I TOOK TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC ADVISED ITS A POORLY BUILT CAR AND WOULD NEED THE WHOLE ELECTRIC SYSTEM RE-WIRED. THE BIGGEST THING IS THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE BLEW I WAS IN THE FAST LANE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DROPPED TO 40 MILES AND EVERYONE BEHIND ME WAS QUICK AS I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE AMONGST OTHERS. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF UNDER THE DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (DOD

Mileage: 174,000

20140915CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH ON THE GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LUG NUT ON THE RIGHT TIE ROD BECAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, THE PIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS PREVENTATIVE MEASURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.

Mileage: 194,000

20140915CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH ON THE GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LUG NUT ON THE RIGHT TIE ROD BECAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, THE PIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS PREVENTATIVE MEASURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.

Mileage: 194,000

20140827ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HEADLIGHTS BLINK ON THERE OWN. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20140827EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS BLINK ON THERE OWN. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20140820ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

MY SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER AND HEATER A/C AIR CONDITIONER CLIMATE TEMPERATURE CONTROL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING.I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD TO DRIVING, WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE HOW FAST YOU GOING AT NIGHT.I CALLED CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.I AM NOT THE ONLY CAR LIKE THIS, THERE IS OTHER CARS AROUND THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I THINK THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

20140820ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER AND HEATER A/C AIR CONDITIONER CLIMATE TEMPERATURE CONTROL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING.I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD TO DRIVING, WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE HOW FAST YOU GOING AT NIGHT.I CALLED CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.I AM NOT THE ONLY CAR LIKE THIS, THERE IS OTHER CARS AROUND THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I THINK THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

20140820EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER AND HEATER A/C AIR CONDITIONER CLIMATE TEMPERATURE CONTROL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING.I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD TO DRIVING, WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE HOW FAST YOU GOING AT NIGHT.I CALLED CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.I AM NOT THE ONLY CAR LIKE THIS, THERE IS OTHER CARS AROUND THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I THINK THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

20140714POWER TRAIN

TL* 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 STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V035000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

Compare 2002CHRYSLER300M to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 7 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 CHRYSLER 300M have?
The 2002 CHRYSLER 300M has 104 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 3 fires, 18 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 CHRYSLER 300M?
Yes, the 2002 CHRYSLER 300M has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 CHRYSLER 300M?
The most-complained component for the 2002 CHRYSLER 300M is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and SEATS.
Is the 2002 CHRYSLER 300M safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.