8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$940
Average Mileage:
53,850 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace alternator (10 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
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problem #14

Aug 102014

300 Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

The recall faulty alternator was replaced 3 tmes in this car of which I had a lost of vehicle usage for over 3 months. I initally replaced the first alternator at the local Chrysler dealership before the recall was acknowledged. They did reimburse me for the alternator that turned out to be defective as well. The thrid alternator was installed in 2015 and the car is beginning to do the same thing again not cranking flashing dashboard lights and now it putting off loud odor of fuel fumes--module problems the ac unit keeps turning off and on by itself--- took it in to local dealership part installed but time I pulled out of the service department the ac went off and comes back on whenever it wants. . I just think I got a lemon and at the point of late Dec 2015, I refuse to pay any more money on this car--I feel that Chrysler owes me for the time I was without transportation due to the fact of the recall and the recalls parts being recalled and recalled a call. The recall wasnt a fix--they needed additional fixes for the recall and the problem is still not resolved.

Why should I be responsible for what Chrysler should have taken care on in the event of their faulty parts.

I have sent my invoices in to chrysler for payment of expenses resulting from the above but they decline to pay and this is very unacceptable. I turned the car in under voluntary repo but I feel that Chrysler is responsible for half of the balance due on the account.

- Shantel W., Yazoo City, MS, US

problem #13

Dec 172015

300

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

I was 250 mile away from my home when the lights on the dash started to flicker and all of a sudden the car started to slow down. I pulled over and waited then it started back up but, it would only go 5 miles per hour. I took it to the nearest dealership and was told it was the Alternator and there is a recall so they fixed it. I was able to bring it back to my home town in Atlanta and a week later it happen again as I was driving no warning or anything however, this time I had to wait 10 minutes before it would started backup again, but I didn't have another issue until a week after that. I am riding to work and it started to make this whinning noise and I couldn't drive over 10 miles. I have an appointment on 02/08/2016 at the dealership I originally purchase the car to see what is happening to this car. This car is a death trap waiting to happen. I wish I would have did my research on this before purchasing this piece of electrical junk. I know all cars have issues, but this car could be the death of so many lives. I guess from a business stand point it's cheaper to pay a person loved ones for the death of an Individual then to recall all these car back. My fellow Chrysler owners "BE SAFE AS YOU RIDE THIS DEATH TRAP OF A CAR." CHRYSLER RECALL THIS CAR BACK!

- rchmcneill, Jonesboro, US

problem #12

Oct 232014

300 Limited 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,788 miles

2011 Limited with only 28,788 miles. Had the battery changed because the one the dealer replaced was cracked on the side. As of three days ago, I have been hearing a whining sound at startup. Today I start the car, same whining noise, radio comes on and approximately 30 seconds later, lo and behold, the dreaded Battery on power save mode, radio shuts off, car phone does not operate. After reading about this problem, I know what I need to have done, change the alternator. I just hope the battery is still good since it is a Bosch, recently purchased 2 months ago.

Now need to find out if this 300 limited alt is 160 or, 180 amp. Plus I hope this solves the problem indefinitely since I really like this car and would not like to turn it in. I barely use it, of course after the recall for the ESC/ABS, the cruise control never worked again. Who knows, I might have to go Japanese again, never had a problem with Nissan, or even VW and Porsche.

- mariomorales, Caguas, Puerto Rico, US

problem #11

Aug 142014

300

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

No symptoms until my radio stopped working, within 1 hour the dashboard went crazy and received message "battery in save mode" or whatever.

Took the car in today. Bad alternator, completely fried my battery. So I had to pay $250 for a new battery, $650 for factory direct only alternator (as you cannot purchase after market.) It is not under warranty as its not part of the "engine/drivetrain".

So this just cost me $1,072 for a new alternator, new battery and labor. Im SUREEEEE it would have been MORE had I gone to Chrysler directly. I'm PISSED.

- Rachel T., Seattle, WA, US

problem #10

Jul 292014

300 Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,500 miles

Much like everyone else has indicated, I've encountered the same, UNEXPECTED, problem with the alternator. I left my job and noticed upon starting up the car, that there was a loud whining noise. I didn't know what it was but I had never heard it prior to leaving work this past Tuesday, July 29th. As I'm heading down the highway, I noticed the message "your car is in battery saver mode" or something to that effect. I also smelled "burning plastic" and started to wonder if I'd make it to my destination, which was still about 25 miles away. All of a sudden, my radio turned off and wouldn't go back on. I had my cell phone charging and uplugged it. I took an exit off of the main highway and ended up on a busy route that had plenty of gas stations. As I was about 5 miles from my destination, something told me to pull over in the gas station and, as I pulled in, the car completely died! No warning, no nothing. I was pissed!!!! Still am as it took the dealer 3 days to get to my car and I just found out today that it's going to cost $800 bucks to get it fixed!! I am very fortunate that my car didn't die on the highway or this could have been a completely different outcome. To say that I'm EXTREMELY pissed with Chrysler is an understatement. I will look to get rid of this car once I have it fixed as appears to me that this is a FACTORY issue that somehow ties into the factory recall they had a few years ago regarding the ABS/Electrical issue. Of course the warranty has expired and because this is an electrical component it is NOT part of the 5 year/100,000 mile warranty. So now I have to pay for Chrysler's mistake...and I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A CHRYSLER MISTAKE FROM DAY 1 and THEY ARE NOT FESSING UP TO IT!!!

Update from Mar 19, 2015: I ended up getting the alternator replaced. Had to wait a week because the part was on order. Apparently, there had been an issue that Chrysler was aware of (according to the dealer) and several weeks later I got the recall notice. I submitted my bill to the address on the notice a about 2 weeks ago but haven't heard anything. I did send it via tracking so I know that they received it. It will now take 60 days to get a refund. I'm sure that there will be some excuse coming from them so as not to pay this but I'm hoping that they are faithful. Since Chrysler has already lied about the issue, I'm not too comfortable about the refund. However, replacing the alternator seems to have corrected the problem.

- bigphilly463, New Bedford, MA, US

problem #9

Jul 132014

300 Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,500 miles

First noticed the "whining" noise when idling that increased as I accelerated. I did have a burning smell but not sure if it was related. Next sign of trouble was "Battery Saver Mode" message on the display. Soon after the reverse camera stopped functioning, the radio turned itself off, rear defroster didn't work. Last sign was traction control & ABS lights coming on and going right off. Right as I pulled into the dealership, car completely lost power (no steering), wipers came on, lights were flashing.

2 dealerships told me they haven't heard of the problem, thank God for Google searching and sites like this!

- kash, Chicago, IL, US

problem #8

Jul 092014

300 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

Like so many other complaints I too began to hear a whining noise which got louder and louder about two months ago. Took it twice to the dealer and like others they found nothing wrong. Yesterday my car began to show low battery in the morning on my way to work. When coming home again low battery indicator and it started to loose power. Got a jump to drive to auto shop where it died, the problem is the alternator which will cost me ~ $900.00.

I'm usually a Chrysler fan but this is causing me to look to the competition. I've had other Chryslers which had almost double the mileage without any problems. This may be my last one:-(

- satchee, Ecorse, MI, US

problem #7

Jun 272014

300 Limited 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,500 miles

On 6/23 took car in for maintenance and told of a "whine" noise. Oil, etc was checked and changed. When asked about noise they said they didn't see anything but would check again. Came back all is OK maybe a wet belt. On 6/27 "check battery" light came on. Turned it off then on again and light went off. Less than 1/4 mile later smelled burning plastic when turned engine off and would not restart.

Towing - $60 / Alternator - $900 / Replace battery - $150. Service people are either incompetent or lazy - or both.

- Steve S., Denton, TX, US

problem #6

Jun 132014

300 Limited 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

2011 Chrysler 300 70,000 miles. Smelled a slight burning smell, looked for warning lights. "Battery Safe Mode" Message came on; No warning lights or anything else. Called dealer from car. He said maybe battery cell is bad. Never mentioned Alternator. Went to my mechanic who tested my charging system. It showed no charging taking place. He called MOPAR supplier friends who said there is a nation-wide backlog of alternators for this car and that they cost over $600 just for the part..

1. Does Chrysler know they have a problem but are not owning up to it?

2. Why did I not get any warning lights or any other indications except for a obscure message if I happened to look for it?

Thanks

- bryanal, Huntsville, AL, US

problem #5

Apr 252014

300 Limited 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

Car started making a whining noise that became louder and louder. Battery save mode light came on... then next thing you know car is showing hot. I pulled over and turned it off... attempted to start it with no luck. Battery was fried so I had it towed home. Check engine light was on so had diagnostic check codes... relay or fuse also showed cooling fan 1 and 2 had a short. Replaced entire fan assembly as advised. I was told alternator was fine. 1 week later... here we go again... towed it to dealership... bad alternator and my new battery... fried! I am not happy!!! New cars shouldn't need so much work! My mother had a 2006 hemi with 26,000 miles when it became a money pit. She warned me against this purchase and I didn't listen. My first and last Chrysler product!!!

- Sunni C., Buckeye, AZ, US

problem #4

Apr 162014

300 Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,996 miles

Noticed on this site that were three other cars that had problems with their battery and alternator. I also had a weird noise while driving and then my battery light came on. I took it to be fixed and the alternator had smoke coming from it. Needed to replace both the battery and alternator to the tune of 1088.00 with labor! YUK!!

- Mike P., Pawtucket, RI, US

problem #3

Mar 072014

300 Limited 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Makes no sense to have to pay $700 for an alternator. That is robbery...let alone another $200 for labor and a tow bill when the car is so new!

Called Chrysler and of course they apologized but gave no help!

- venedy911, Englewood, CO, US

problem #2

Feb 012014

300

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

I was riding down the highway in Greensboro NC,in my car just automatically slowed down the speed as if it was bout to cut off in started making a funny noise,in smelling like something was burning.Then the abs light in electrical light,in battery light had came on.So i pulled over in cut my car off,in tried to cut it back on in it wouldn't start at all.got a jump from somebody in the car cranked up,but once we took the jumping cables off it than cut off.I had got my car towed to a chrysler dealership the next day,in they told me i got an bad alternator,and battery and i only had my car for 3 months,in only have 61,000 miles on my car.

- Joel B., Jamesville, NC, US

problem #1

Dec 102013

300 Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD AFTER A VERY UGLY NOISE THAT IT WAS MADE UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE ON. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND I HAD A BAD BATTERY AND A BAD ALTERNATOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A HEADACHE SINCE DAY ONE.

- Jesus C., Mission, TX, US