My wife was driving our 2001 300M when she smelled something burning in the car, the lights started flashing, and it smelled so hot that she was afraid the car was going to catch on fire. She stopped and could not find the source at the time. After she got home we discovered that the heated drivers seat had shorted out and started to burn the seat back before power was cut off to the heating element. We took the car to the dealership to complain about a possible fire hazard. The service manager did not seem to concerned and would not cover repairs because it was out of warranty. It was never repaired.

- Mead, CO, USA

I own a 2001 Chrysler 300M. I bought the car September 2000 with 10 miles on it. I have had nothing but problems, at 40,000 miles my 4 disc cd changer/tape player/am-fm stereo with 12 speakers went completely out. It used to ding (like when the lights are turned on and you take the key out of the ignition, that annoying "ding") constantly. I couldn't get it to stop. The I was told by the 5-star service technicians that it was an "internal electrical problem" but they could replace the stereo with another one at the tune of $450 plus $50 for labor. At 50,000 miles my transmission light came on and I called three different 5-star service departments I was told "no problem, that light really doesn't mean anything, but you should get the car in so we can look at it, we can't get you in for a week, in the meantime, it's okay to drive." Three different dealership service departments told me the exact same thing. I also told them the car wouldn't make it for another week because it felt like it was "slipping, " like it wouldn't stay in gear. Finally, a dealership 40 miles away took me in, the car almost didn't make it there. By the time I got to the service department the engine was making a winding sound, and it wouldn't stay in gear at all. The next day I was told I needed a new transmission - at barely 50,000 miles. I was then told it would cost me at least $3500, maybe more. I called Chrysler customer service and complained. Chrysler said that if I paid the first $950, they would pick up the balance, but the stereo's internal electrical problem was still mine to deal with. I said okay and I got the transmission fixed - but as of today I'm still experiencing shifting problems, sluggishness, and hesitation. My heated leather seats don't work, my on-board overhead digital info center, none of that works. The brakes shake and shudder every time I slow down. The pads and rotors have been serviced, but to no avail. Now I hear a loud "clunk" every time I turn the steering wheel to the right.

- Tacoma, WA, USA