10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 15
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,004 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #86

Mar 222017

300

  • 60,000 miles
On 22 Mar 2017, my 2013 Chrysler 300 started smoking from under the hood. I pulled over to see what the problem was and notice the smoke was coming from my altinator. Getting in touch with my insurance to set up a tow to take it to a dealership. While I was on the phone the my altinator caught on fire, quickly putting it. Continuing with my conversation it started up again for a 2nd time. Finally once the tow truck should up, they took it to Colorado springs Dodge, 7455 austin bluffs pkwy Colorado springs, co 80923 719-475-8550. I ask them if they had any recalls for this unusual problem. They told me no, I ended up paying it out of pocket, $936.35 to replace the altinator and battery. I see today that your website has shown me their are problems with the altinator failing. If there's any information you can pass down to me to help me get my money back I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #85

May 102017

300

  • 90,000 miles
Vehicle alerted "battery saver mode" and shut down many of the electrical systems. I immediately stopped driving and called aaa by the time they arrived and attempted to tow, the vehicle would no longer turn on. Brought to local dealer. They informed me that the alternator had failed and fried the battery. Since I have the 180amp alternator it is not covered under the current recall. From my research it seems that the 180amp alternator are have the exact same issues as the 160amp alternators that are currently being recalled.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #84

Mar 222017

300

  • 72,000 miles
I have a 2013 Chrysler 300S. While driving at a speed around 45 mph in city driving, car stalled in the middle of an intersection while turning left at front of oncoming traffic. Seconds later the car shut off completely leaving me with no or little control over steering. The radio turned off, lights in car started flashing on and off, screens on the dash turned white, and all error lights on dash turned on. Burning electrical/rubber smell filled the car. All issues identical to the NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000. I checked my VIN to see if my car would be covered but it was not included in the recall. Upon further research there has been numerous complaints on exact models of my car that were also not covered. I am very thankful my car was able to get out of the way of oncoming traffic before another vehicle hit us because my kids or myself probably would have been seriously injured or even worst, killed. Once car came to a complete stop, I tried restarting the vehicle. The car would try to start but the engine would not even be able to turn over. All lights and switches inside the car were not working properly. Lights turning on and off, heater was blowing when we had it set to ac, pushing on the break would turn off all lights in the car, etc. I hope with all the multiple complaint, and potential to cause serious injury, they will consider recalling the additional models of alternators they are clearly having the same defects.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #83

Mar 072017

300

  • 42,000 miles
Driving on the highway at appx 30-40 mph and car started smelling like smoke, started making a high pitched humming sound, the ABS brake light, the traction control light and the check engine light all came on and the smoke got worse, scared it may have been a fire under my hood. I checked all of the recalls and my car does not fall under any of them although I saw many of the same complaints here on the site. This is very dangerous, especially having children in the car. My car is now at the dealer and was there just last week for another electrical problem. I will continue to check the site since this is obviously a defect from the manufacturer. Please contat me with any info as this is very dangerous!

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #82

Mar 072017

300

  • 42,000 miles
Driving on the highway at appx 30-40 mph and car started smelling like burned plastic and smoke, started making a high pitched humming sound, the traction control light and the engine light and the ABS brake lights all came on as my car was slowing down, opened the hood and there was smoke coming from the engine, car would not turn back on, no electric worked, battery is destroyed, car VIN is not listed under the current recall even though I am finding the same complaint from others with my same car. Also, my car was just worked on there at the dealer last week for an electrical issue and the problem was not discovered at that time, dealer is not being very helpful, this is very dangerous to be in the car with my kids and my car starts smoking! - I have video of it happening from last night that will not upload here, please contact me! very dangerous!

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #81

Nov 112016

300

  • 50,000 miles
The alternator failed and sparked a small fire. Caused immediate engine failure stranding me 120 miles from home. Vehicle has 50,000 miles on it. This is an unsafe situation. This car is not covered under recall as it has the hemi. Maybe it should be covered.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #80

Jan 052017

300 6-cyl

  • 36,054 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 300. While driving 20 mph, the battery saver mode sensor warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal odor and smoke from the engine. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,054.

- Graceville, FL, USA

problem #79

Nov 042016

300

  • 29,930 miles
Power window front driver side fail to go up at 29,000 miles

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #78

Oct 202013

300 6-cyl

  • 40,473 miles
Was driving at approx 30 mph and car started smelling like smoke and the advanced braking system light and traction control light came on. Car started making a squealing noise. Car was driven half a mile back home and parked. Car would then not turn on. No electrical would work. Car was taken to dealership and was diagnosed with failed alternator and the battery had been destroyed. Car VIN is not listed under current alternator recall.

- Weatherford, OK, USA

problem #77

Dec 202015

300

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 300. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost power. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). In addition, multiple other parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Remlap, AL, USA

problem #76

Jul 082016

300 6-cyl

  • 26,100 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 300. While driving at a low speed, the all wheel drive and brake warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle lost power. In addition, while at a stop, the gear shifter failed to shift out of the drive position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer for the all wheel drive needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. Immediately after the repair and while driving at a low speed, the vehicle lost power and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was unable to be diagnosed or repaired. The computer for the all wheel drive was re-programmed once more. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 26,100. Updated 11/08/16

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #75

Aug 312016

300 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 300. While driving 50 mph, there was a loud noise and the vehicle shift lever independently moved from drive into neutral. The contact was able to place the vehicle back in drive. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact also stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a loose terminal on the battery and alternator. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 10/13/16

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #74

Aug 242016

300

  • 34,200 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 300. While driving various speeds, the battery safe mode warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact smelled a burning odor under the hood. The contact also mentioned that the radio became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,200.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #73

Aug 162016

300

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 300. While driving 25 mph, smoke appeared from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle off the road, but was unable to place the vehicle in park or shut off the engine. Also, the doors and windows were inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and caused the wiring harness to melt. The battery was also destroyed due to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

problem #72

Aug 042016

300

  • 33,189 miles
Exact same symptoms customers are reporting for nhsta campaign 1V634000. However, my car is not covered because it has a 180 amp alternator and the recall is for 160 amp alternators. I had sudden electrical burning smell inside car and smoke coming from under the hood. Dealer replaced alternator under my service contract (out of warrant) so it cost me $100 instead of 700-900 dollars. It pretty clear these 180 amp alternators should be included in the recall. Chrysler only cares about their bottom line. I want my $100 back Chrysler.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #71

Aug 052016

300

  • 82,000 miles
Alternator went out. It's a recall on thousands of car but supposedly not this car. Car lost power will I was driving down the street. Smelled something burning. Had the same exact problem with my 2012 Chrysler 300.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #70

Mar 032016

300

  • 65,000 miles
While driving my 2013 300S the lights on my dash began to flash. A few minutes later my radio cut off and would not cut back on. About a minute later I got a message on the dash that said "battery saver mode". I had no idea what was going on and all of a sudden my the car just shut down. I had no control over the car, no brakes, no steering... nothing. Luckily I was not in a position where I needed to avoid hitting other cars because I could not steer. I then started to smell burning rubber. After the car came to a complete stop the lights started flashing again and then the wipers came on. (they were not turned on.) the wipers slowed and then the car went totally dead (again). I googled "battery saver mode" and saw that it was my alternator. I then saw that Chrysler had a recall out for their alternators so I called their recall center. I was told that, "yes, there was a recall." And I had the right kind of car and the right engine but my alternator was 180 amps. (they only recalled the 160 amps.) I read most of the complaints and their experience was almost identical to mine. And I also read that there were people with the 180 amps had the same experience and was also told the same thing as I was told by Chrysler ("at this time we only have a recall out for 160 amp alternators. Save your receipt and if and when we do a recall on the 180 amps we will reimburse you."). really!? my total cost was $1260 (alternator, battery and a belt). Come on Chrysler you know that these alternators are bad (both 160 and 180)! I guess until someone reports a death they won't recall the 180 amp. I would tell any buyer of the 300 to beware. I personally will never purchase a Chrysler again. (I have owned 2.) no matter how cool they look.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #69

Jul 042016

300

  • 65,000 miles
On 7.4.16 at approximately 9pm, I was at a traffic intersection waiting for the light to turn green. Suddenly, my car radio shut down, and on the information screen, a 'battery safe mode' message appeared. Then the lights went dim, the info-screen flashed white, and the windshield wipers started moving very slowly. At that point, I tried to put the car in neutral and shut it off, but the shifter was not responsive. Then, all the screens went out and the car died. I called my roadside assistance to come to either jump or tow my car. The technician showed up and tried to jump start the vehicle, but to no avail. The car was then towed to a repair shop. The repair shop discovered that the 180 amp alternator was fried (in their words) and the alternator fried the battery as well. The repairs totaled approximately nine hundred dollars! (note) the first new alternator they installed was faulty. For a car under 3 years old, maintained impeccably, this is ridiculous to have an alternator fail in such a short period of time. I filed a complaint with Chrysler Corp. And discovered that there was a recall on a 160 amp alternator in the Chrysler 300. I asked and they advised me that the manufacturer for both the 160 and 180 amp alternators is the same. The recall (October 8, 2014) for the smaller 160 amp alternator is ; NHTSA recall #14V-634, and Chrysler recall # P60 respectively. It seems like the problem exists on both alternators. Chrysler Corp. Should take a proactive and not reactive stance at this point.

- Trinity, FL, USA

problem #68

Jun 192016

300 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 300. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery and alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 60,000.....updated 08/29/16 updated 6/18/18

- Idabel, OK, USA

problem #67

May 242016

300

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 300. While driving 45 mph, the warning lights illuminated and kept blinking. The vehicle completely shut down in the middle of the highway. The vehicle would not shift into neutral and was towed to the contact's residence. The contact notified the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

- Buena Lane, AZ, USA

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