Model year record

2002 Chrysler 300M recalls & problems

The 2002 Chrysler 300M has 2 safety recalls and 83 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (14 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints83filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths13 · 1reported in complaints

2002 Chrysler 300M in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

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.

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.

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.

Crash test ratings

2002 Chrysler 300M 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

300 M

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S4) · 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*
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition	14	2	1	1	44,972 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Hydraulic power assist system	12	3	0	3	84,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter	12	0	0	0	73,600 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	10	1	0	3	57,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	10	7	0	6	68,500 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler	8	1	1	1	72,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	7	1	0	1	12,256 mi
SuspensionFront › Macpherson strut; Front › Control arm	4	1	0	2	50,800 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs; Rim	3	1	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Sun/moon roof assembly	3	0	0	0	—
Tires	3	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	3	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Seats
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…
Jul 11, 2025 · 73,000 miles
Electrical 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.
Nov 1, 2021
Unknown 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.
Dec 1, 2016 · 145,000 miles
Seats
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.
Feb 4, 2016 · 69,000 miles
Seats
WHEN USING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED THE SEAT AND THE JACKET I WAS WEARING.
Feb 9, 2016 · 131,000 miles
Fuel/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.
Jan 2, 2016 · 9,000 miles
Engine
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
Sep 3, 2015 · 75,000 miles
Power 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.
May 16, 2015

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

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