Chrysler 300C: common faults & what to check

Which Chrysler 300C are you looking at?

5 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

3 variants documented

2005–2012LX2005–2012LX3.5 V6 petrolPetrolDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Calreyn88 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2005–2012LX2005–2012LX5.7 V8 petrolPetrolDocumented issues5 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Calreyn88 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2012–2021LX22012–2021LX23.6 V6 petrolPetrolDocumented issues6 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Damian B Oh via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Diesel

1 variant documented

2005–2012LX2005–2012LX3.0 V6 dieselDieselDocumented issues4 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Calreyn88 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Fuel not stated

1 variant documented

2012–2021LX22012–2021LX26.4 V8 (SRT)Fuel not statedDocumented issues1 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Damian B Oh via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Chrysler 300C

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Chrysler 300C before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Scan for MDS-related fault codes and misfire codes.

  See why

  5.7 Hemi MDS Lifter Failure

  The 5.7L Hemi's Multi-Displacement System (MDS) deactivates four cylinders under light load to save fuel. The MDS uses special two-stage lifters that collapse hydraulically. These lifters fail prematurely due to sludging or the collapsing mechanism sticking, resulting in a cylinder dropout, oil consumption, engine knock, and in severe cases camshaft lobe destruction. NHTSA has received hundreds of complaints. Repairs require partial or full engine teardown. Many owners disable MDS via tuning to prevent recurrence.

  What you would notice

  • Ticking or tapping noise from engine, especially on startup
  • Engine misfire on deceleration or light throttle
  • Check engine light with cylinder deactivation or misfire codes
  • Excessive oil consumption
  • Rough running when MDS activates

  Typically $4,000–$12,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Ask for the service history and look for a dealer invoice showing Chrysler/Stellantis recall Z46 or a high-pressure fuel pump replacement.

  See why

  High-pressure fuel pump can break up and send debris through the fuel system, loss of power, recall Z46 (LX2 300 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel, REC-005648)

  On the second-generation (LX2) Chrysler 300 with the 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel, the high-pressure fuel pump can fail early and shed debris into the fuel system, which can starve the engine and cause a loss of power while driving. Stellantis Australia recalled these cars in 2023 under campaign Z46 (REC-005648, the same campaign as the 3.0 diesel Grand Cherokee). When the recall was announced parts were not yet available, so check the repair has actually been done. Outside the recall, a pump failure that spreads debris to the rail and injectors is a large bill.

  What you would notice

  • Sudden loss of power or the car going into limp mode
  • Hard starting or cutting out
  • Engine warning light

  Typically $0–$9,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Ask for proof the alternator recall has been done (a dealer invoice or recall record).

  See why

  LX2 300C alternator diode failure, stalling and fire risk recall (petrol, 2011-2014)

  On 2011 to 2014 LX2 Chrysler 300 models with the 3.6 Pentastar V6 or 5.7 Hemi V8 and electro-hydraulic power steering, the diodes inside the alternator can crack from heat, so charging voltage drops. That can switch off ABS and stability control, stall the engine while driving, and in some cases the failing alternator can overheat and catch fire. It was recalled in Australia (PRA 2017/16284) and the US (14V-634, then 17V-435, FCA campaign T36). The fix is a free alternator replacement, so check that the recall work has been done.

  What you would notice

  • Battery or charging warning light
  • ABS or stability control warning lights
  • Heavy steering at low speed
  • Engine stalls or will not restart
  • Burning smell from the engine bay

  Typically $0–$1,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold start the engine and listen immediately for phaser rattle — a metallic tapping from the cam cover area.

  See why

  3.6 Pentastar Cam Phaser Rattle on Cold Start

  The 3.6L Pentastar V6 in second-generation 300C models (LD) exhibits a distinctive cam phaser rattle on cold startup, typically lasting 2–5 seconds until oil pressure builds. The VVT phasers run on engine oil pressure and can wear internally or stick when oil is cold and thick. Progressive wear leads to timing-related fault codes, rough cold running, and eventual phaser replacement. The fault is widespread across all Pentastar applications (300C, Journey, Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee).

  What you would notice

  • Rattling or tapping from engine on cold start, lasting 2–5 seconds
  • Check engine light with cam timing / VVT fault codes (P0011, P0014, P0016)
  • Rough idle on cold start
  • Hesitation under acceleration when cold

  Typically $1,800–$4,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  With a phone torch, look down into the V of the engine from above for pooled oil or wet black staining — that valley should be dry.

  See why

  3.0 CRD (OM642) Oil Cooler Seal Failure in the Engine V

  The 300C CRD's Mercedes-sourced OM642 V6 diesel carries its oil cooler in the valley between the cylinder banks, and its seals are the engine's best-known weakness — owners call it the dreaded O-ring leak. Diesel weeping from the fuel filter pipework directly above accelerates the perishing. The seals themselves are cheap but they sit under the whole intake, so it is a big labour job, and left leaking it oils the alternator and starter and masks every other leak on the engine.

  What you would notice

  • Oil pooling or wet staining in the valley between the cylinder banks
  • Oil drips at the bell housing or on the driveway
  • Oil smell after a run
  • Slow oil loss between services

  Typically $1,200–$3,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Ask whether the swirl flaps and oil-cooler seals have been done (many owners delete/upgrade the swirl motor) and for receipts.

  See why

  3.0 CRD (OM642) swirl-flap failure and oil-cooler seal leaks

  The 3.0 CRD diesel 300C uses the Mercedes OM642 V6, which has two classic weak spots. First, oil vapour from the crankcase drips onto the intake 'swirl flap' motor and its butterfly valves, which then jam or break up - debris can be sucked into the engine, and it triggers limp mode. Second, the oil cooler sits in the valley of the V and its seals perish (often attacked by diesel dripping from the fuel-filter lines above), causing oil leaks. Both are common, known jobs on this engine and worth checking before buying.

  What you would notice

  • Limp mode / reduced power with an engine light
  • Oil leak or oil smell around the top/valley of the engine
  • Rough running or hesitation
  • Rattling or sticking felt through the throttle response

  Typically $600–$3,000 to put right.

Chrysler 300C service schedule

What falls due, and at what distance, for each generation of the Chrysler 300C. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

Other Chrysler models