Model year record

1999 Chrysler 300M recalls & problems

The 1999 Chrysler 300M has 4 safety recalls and 351 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (52 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints351filed by owners

Crashes · fires32 · 6reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths19 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Power trainJan 13, 2004

Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift

Recall 04V0210002,315,768 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

SeatsFeb 5, 2003

Front assembly › Recliner

Recall 03V0350001,066,000 vehicles

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

Seat beltsFeb 4, 2000

Seat belts

Recall 00V034000204,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.
Risk: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

300 M

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SteeringRack and pinion; Rack and pinion › Rack	52	2	0	0	86,292 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	51	13	0	9	62,126 mi
StructureBody; Body › Bumpers	49	1	0	0	68,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	36	1	3	2	90,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	34	7	0	1	49,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	27	3	0	0	53,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint	23	1	0	0	77,000 mi
WheelsRim; Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	22	0	0	0	90,000 mi
TiresTread/belt; Bead	21	0	0	0	65,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; 12v/24v/48v battery	21	1	2	0	94,966 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Linkages	19	9	1	7	62,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	17	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER STEP-FATHER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED OFF OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAITED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING TO THE DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Apr 1, 2020
Air bagsCrash
I AM NOT SURE WHO MANUFACTURED THE AIRBAGS IN 1999 CHRYSLER 300S, BUT I AM WONDERING WHAT WOULD CAUSE AN AIRBAG TO HAVE A HOLE IN IT AND WHERE THE HOLE IS, IT WAS FRAYED, MY DAUGHTER WAS THE PASSENGER WHEN THEY WERE HIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL AND PASSENGER DOOR, THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT HAD A BIG HOLE IN IT AND WAS FRAYED WHERE THE HOLE WAS, LIKE A FLAG THAT HAS BEEN BLOWING IN THE WIND FOR YEARS, I AM COMING UP ON STATUE OF LIMITATIONS SO YOUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WOULD BE SO APPRECIATED!!!! MY LAWYER DOES HAVE PICTURES OF THE AIRBAG WITH THE HOLE IN IT, AND SHOWING ALSO HOW IT WAS FRAYED. MY DAUGHTER SADLY LOST HER LIFE IN THIS ACCIDENT, SHE WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT. THIS…
Nov 29, 2014 · 2 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE RANDOMLY OCCURRING AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Feb 10, 2014
Air bagsCrash1 injury
"TAKATA RECALL" ON NOV. 04,2015 A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY AND WAS MOVING APPROX. 30-35MPH. I T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE 2 OTHER PASSENGERS OTHER THAN MYSELF. THE DRIVER HAD HIT HIS LEG UNDER THE DASH. I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT AND BOTHE MY KNEES HIT THE LOWER PART OF THE DASH. MY SEAT BELT DID WORK ON IMPACT AND I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. MY DAUGHTER INLAW WAS IN THE BACK SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED 2 BUMPS ON HER HEAD. AS FOR ME, I DIDNT HAVE ANY BROKEN BONES BUT I SUFERED SEVERE BRUISING. I WAS IN SHOCK AND MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT I STARTED FEELING SHARP PAINS TO THE LEFT PART OF…
Nov 4, 2015 · 208,000 miles
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINED AND THE SEAT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V035000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Sep 28, 2015 · 180,000 miles
Unknown or other
DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING FROM WINDSHIED AREA ALL THE WAY DOWN ,THEN ANOTHER CRACK DID THE SAME.ONE CRACK IS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND ONE IN THE MIDDLE OF DASHBOARD.
Apr 3, 2006 · 51,000 miles
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING THAT LATER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A SEWAGE AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Mar 13, 2015 · 160,000 miles
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
MY 1999 300 M HAS THE FOLLOWING ISSUE: ******* RECALL ID # 57541 - SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINERPLUSHIDE DETAILS RECALL DATE: FEB 05, 2003 MODEL AFFECTED: 1999 CHRYSLER 300M SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY. CONSEQUENCES: 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…
Jan 31, 2015 · 140,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKClosedLed to recall 04V021000
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE…
EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004
THROTTLE CONTROL FAILUREClosed
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.
PE03010 · opened Feb 27, 2003 · closed Sep 2, 2003