VehicleVerdict

1999 Chrysler 300m problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 440 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.0 times the median 300m year — the 1999 model ranks #1 of 10 300m years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 25 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (52), airbags (51), and body & structure (49), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

440

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

43

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

25

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other 300m years?

300m NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted440 complaints1993: 5 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 0 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 440 complaints2000: 294 complaints2001: 122 complaints2002: 104 complaints2003: 44 complaints2004: 117 complaints
300m NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 300m years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Chrysler 300m problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering5212%
Airbags5112%
Body & Structure4911%
Tires & Wheels4310%
Engine4210%
Transmission348%
Brakes317%
Suspension235%
Electrical System235%
Speed Control194%
Visibility & Wipers184%
Other174%
Seats164%
Lighting123%
Seat Belts41%
Fuel System41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 1999 Chrysler 300m have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

04V021000TransmissionJanuary 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

03V035000SeatsFebruary 5, 2003 · 1,066,000 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V034000Seat BeltsFebruary 4, 2000 · 204,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 13, 2015 · crash

“I WAS RECENTLY IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT AND HIT A DRIVER WHO HAD TURNED IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN MY 1999 CHRYSLER 300M SMASHED INTO THE MAN WHO TUNED IN FRONT OF ME . TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, BOTH OF MY FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF DURING THE CRASH. WHO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 23, 2004 · crash

“I WAS STOPPED & JUST PUT IT INTO DRIVE FROM PARK & THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT IT DIDN'T STOP RIGHT AWAY. THE CAR IS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE DID PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 18, 2014 · crash

“THE ORIGINAL SET OF TIRES WAS LOSING AIR SLOWLY. INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE ENTIRE SET. CONSUMER NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE NEW TIRES AS WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT INSIDE METAL ON ALL FOUR TIRES SEPARATED, AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 8, 2004

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. ON JULY 29, 2007, WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR FIVE HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE AND THREE OTHER VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED. THE DRIVEWAY SUSTAINED PROPERTY DAMAGE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 29, 2007 · fire

1999 Chrysler 300m — common questions

Is the 1999 Chrysler 300m reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 440 complaints put the 1999 model at #1 of 10 300m years. It is one of the 300m years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 300m problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (52 complaints), airbags (51 complaints), body & structure (49 complaints).

Does the 1999 Chrysler 300m have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Chrysler 300m. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Chrysler 300m under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chrysler 300m years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 300m years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004. The cleanest record among 300m years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.