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Chrysler2004–2021 Critical issues documented

Chrysler 300C LX: common faults & what to check

The LX is the Chrysler 300C built 2005–2012. It was sold here with the 3.0 V6 diesel, 3.5 V6 petrol, and 5.7 V8 petrol. Of the 15 faults documented for the 300C, 6 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Chrysler 300C

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

15

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$600–$3,000

Typical repair

27

Service milestones

You're looking at the LX

3 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

Choose a different generation

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.

A 2005 Chrysler 300C is the LX generation (2005 to 2012).

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.

Chrysler 300C LXEngine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the 300C came with 3, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

Free. The paid plate check is separate, and stays optional.

Can't confirm for this car

Chrysler 300C · 2005

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

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.

  • Common issue

    On the test drive listen for clunks over bumps and feel whether the steering is tight.

    See why

    Front suspension wear - control-arm bushes, ball joints and tie-rods

    The first-gen 300C is a heavy rear-drive car (LX platform, sharing suspension with the Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger), and its front end wears through control-arm bushes, ball joints, sway-bar links and tie-rod ends. Worn parts cause clunks over bumps, vague or wandering steering and uneven tyre wear, and are a common Warrant of Fitness (WOF) failure on older examples. Parts are cheap individually but a full front-end refresh adds up on this large car.

    What you would notice

    • Clunk or knock over bumps
    • Vague or wandering steering
    • Uneven front tyre wear
    • Rattle from the front on rough roads

    Typically $350–$2,000 to put right.

Chrysler 300C service schedule

The 4 engines a 2005 Chrysler 300C was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. 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.

First Generation (LX) · 2005–2010 · 5.7L HEMI V8 (EZB) - Limited Trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 150,000 km

    Cooling system refresh including the thermostat and water pump, so the 5.7L HEMI stays cool during summer treks.

  2. 200,000 km

    Inspect the timing chain and tensioners, which have likely seen significant heat cycles by this stage.

  3. 250,000 km

    Check the health of the rear subframe bushings, which may show fatigue and affect ride quality.

First Generation (LX) · 2005–2010 · 2.7L V6 (EER) - Base Trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 150,000 km

    All scheduled cooling system components and fluids should be refreshed by now.

  2. 200,000 km

    Have a specialist check the health of the suspension bushings and steering components for any play.

  3. 250,000 km

    Monitor engine oil pressure and transmission performance regularly, for long-term reliability.

First Generation (LX) · 2005–2010 · 3.5L V6 (EGG) - Touring Trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 150,000 km

    Check the cooling system components and hoses, to keep them in top shape for road trips.

  2. 200,000 km

    A good point to review suspension health and confirm the transmission fluid has been serviced, keeping everything driving smoothly.

  3. 250,000 km

    Check engine ancillaries like the alternator and water pump, to maintain reliability of the 3.5L V6 engine.

First Generation (LX) · 2005–2010 · 6.1L HEMI V8 (ESF) - SRT8 High Performance version

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 100,000 km

    Inspect all suspension bushings and ball joints, and consider replacing the transmission fluid and filter for preventative health.

  2. 150,000 km

    Deep dive into the cooling system - check hoses and the radiator - and inspect the engine mounts, which take a beating from the 6.1L HEMI's torque.

  3. 200,000 km

    Timing chain and tensioner components are inspected for stretch, and the fuel pump for consistent pressure delivery.

See all 6 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 1 rated critical.
Body, brakes, suspension & interior2

01Rear Subframe Surface Rust and Bushing Deterioration

2005–2012Suspension
OccasionalSuspension $400–$3,000 to fix

LX-platform 300Cs are showing their age underneath: surface rust on the rear subframe is common, and the subframe and differential bushings deteriorate, bringing clunks over bumps and vague, wandering rear-end feel. Heavy scale rust or rotted bushings mean a subframe-out job, which is labour-heavy. Imports that lived near the coast are the worst cases.

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunks from the rear over bumps
  • Vague or wandering rear end under acceleration
  • Visible flaking rust on the rear subframe
  • Uneven rear tyre wear

What to check

Crouch behind the car with a phone torch and sight along the rear subframe for flaking, scaled rust — surface discolouration is normal at this age, flakes and holes are not. Rock the car and listen for clunks. On the drive, note any rear-end shimmy or clunk over sharp bumps. If a workshop inspection is possible: lever the subframe and diff bushings on a hoist and probe rusted sections for remaining metal.

Where to look: Underneath at the rear — subframe, its four mounting bushings and the diff bushings

Parts involved: Differential.

Ask the seller

  • “Where has the car lived — coastal or inland?”
  • “Any suspension bushings replaced?”
  • “Any clunks from the rear the seller knows about?”

02Front suspension wear - control-arm bushes, ball joints and tie-rods

On the test drive listen for clunks over bumps and feel whether the steering is tight.2005–2012Suspension
CommonSuspension $350–$2,000 to fix

The first-gen 300C is a heavy rear-drive car (LX platform, sharing suspension with the Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger), and its front end wears through control-arm bushes, ball joints, sway-bar links and tie-rod ends. Worn parts cause clunks over bumps, vague or wandering steering and uneven tyre wear, and are a common Warrant of Fitness (WOF) failure on older examples. Parts are cheap individually but a full front-end refresh adds up on this large car.

The front wheel of a car splayed outward with the lower control arm hanging down after a ball joint separation.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.

Elfix · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunk or knock over bumps
  • Vague or wandering steering
  • Uneven front tyre wear
  • Rattle from the front on rough roads

What to check

On the test drive listen for clunks over bumps and feel whether the steering is tight. Check the front tyres for uneven edge wear. A pre-purchase inspection or WOF check will find worn bushes, ball joints and links. Ask about any recent front-end work.

Where to look: Front suspension control arms, ball joints, sway-bar links and steering tie-rods

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

  • “Has any front suspension or steering work been done recently?”
  • “Does it have a current WOF, and were there any advisories?”
Depends on the exact engine — 4 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling4

015.7 Hemi MDS Lifter Failure

Scan for MDS-related fault codes and misfire codes.petrol2005–2018EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02NAG1 5-Speed Auto Solenoid Pack Failure

Test drive with multiple full-throttle and light-throttle shift events across all gears.2004–2018Transmission
OccasionalTransmission $1,500–$3,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The Mercedes-derived NAG1 (W5A580) 5-speed automatic fitted to 300C models with 5.7 Hemi and V6 is generally robust but suffers from solenoid pack failure over time. The solenoid body controls all hydraulic shifting; when solenoids wear, the transmission exhibits harsh or delayed shifts, slip between gears, or refuses to engage certain ratios. A solenoid pack replacement is common at 150,000–200,000 km. Full fluid and filter maintenance history significantly affects longevity.

Symptoms to notice

  • Harsh or clunky gear changes
  • Transmission slip or flare between gears
  • Delayed engagement from park into drive or reverse
  • Check engine / transmission warning light with shift solenoid codes
  • Transmission stuck in limp mode

What to check

  1. Test drive with multiple full-throttle and light-throttle shift events across all gears.
  2. Check for any harshness, slip, or hesitation between ratios.
  3. Scan for transmission fault codes.
  4. Check transmission fluid level and colour — dark or burned fluid suggests neglect.
  5. Verify fluid and filter change history.

Where to look: Transmission valve body — internal solenoid pack accessed from sump pan

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the transmission fluid and filter been changed, and when?”
  • “Any harsh shifts, slip, or transmission warning lights?”
  • “Has the solenoid pack been serviced or replaced?”

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

Ask whether the swirl flaps and oil-cooler seals have been done (many owners delete/upgrade the swirl motor) and for receipts.diesel2005–2012EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

04W5A580 (NAG1) Auto — Fluid Degradation, Shudder and Torque Converter Faults

The 300C runs the Mercedes-sourced W5A580 five-speed auto behind petrol and diesel engines alike.2005–2012TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Other Chrysler 300C engines and years9 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling5

01High-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)

Ask for the service history and look for a dealer invoice showing Chrysler/Stellantis recall Z46 or a high-pressure fuel pump replacement.diesel2012–2015Engine
OccasionalEngine $0–$9,000 to fix

Does not apply

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.

Symptoms to notice

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

What to check

  1. Ask for the service history and look for a dealer invoice showing Chrysler/Stellantis recall Z46 or a high-pressure fuel pump replacement.
  2. Ask if the seller got a recall letter and whether the repair was done once parts arrived.
  3. On the test drive, accelerate firmly from low speed and up a hill: any hesitation, power loss or limp mode is a warning.
  4. Check the engine warning light goes out after starting.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the VIN checked for open recalls and scan for fuel rail pressure fault codes.

Where to look: High-pressure diesel fuel pump in the engine bay, feeding the common rail and injectors

Parts involved: High-pressure fuel pump, Turbocharger.

Ask the seller

  • “Has recall Z46 (high-pressure fuel pump) been done on this car?”
  • “Has the car ever lost power or gone into limp mode?”
  • “Has the fuel pump or any injector been replaced?”

02Left cylinder head valve seat and guide wear, misfire (3.6 Pentastar V6, LX2 Chrysler 300 2011-2013)

Start the engine from cold and listen at idle for a ticking or uneven beat; a healthy Pentastar idles smoothly.petrol2011–2013Engine
OccasionalEngine $2,500–$5,000 to fix

Does not apply

Early 3.6 Pentastar V6 engines (sales code ERB) in 2011 to 2013 LX2 Chrysler 300 models can wear the valve guides and valve seats in the left cylinder head, so cylinders 2, 4 or 6 lose compression and misfire. Chrysler admitted the problem: in the US it extended the warranty on the left head to 10 years or 150,000 miles (warranty bulletin D-14-12) and told dealers to leak test the cylinders and replace the head (service bulletin 09-002-14). Australian 2012 cars built before late July 2012 are named in that service bulletin, but the extended warranty was a US program, so do not count on it here. Left alone it gets worse and the cure is a replacement head.

A removed six-cylinder diesel engine cylinder head on cardboard, valve-gear side facing up.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A six-cylinder diesel head off the engine, valve-gear side up. Cracks run between the valve seats on the face beneath.

Ll1324 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Check engine light, sometimes flashing
  • Rough idle or shake, worse when cold
  • Ticking or tapping from one side of the engine
  • Loss of power

What to check

  1. Start the engine from cold and listen at idle for a ticking or uneven beat; a healthy Pentastar idles smoothly.
  2. Watch the dash for a check engine light during the test drive and feel for any stumble or shake when pulling away and at steady low speed.
  3. Ask whether the left cylinder head has been replaced and ask for the invoice.
  4. If a workshop inspection is possible: scan for stored misfire codes on cylinders 2, 4 or 6 and run a cylinder leakage test on those cylinders.

Where to look: Engine bay, the left bank cylinder head of the V6 (cylinders 2, 4 and 6)

Parts involved: Cylinder head.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the left cylinder head ever been replaced, and do you have the invoice?”
  • “Has the check engine light come on or has it been treated for a misfire?”
  • “Was this car new in Australia or New Zealand, or a US import, and what is its build date?”

033.6 Pentastar Cam Phaser Rattle on Cold Start

Cold start the engine and listen immediately for phaser rattle — a metallic tapping from the cam cover area.petrol2011–2018Engine
CommonEngine $1,800–$4,000 to fix

Does not apply

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).

Symptoms to 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

What to check

Cold start the engine and listen immediately for phaser rattle — a metallic tapping from the cam cover area. Scan for cam phaser or VVT fault codes. Check oil grade and change interval — incorrect or degraded oil worsens wear. On high-mileage examples, budget for phaser replacement.

Where to look: Front of engine — camshaft VVT phaser units, both intake and exhaust cams per bank

Ask the seller

  • “Any rattle or noise on cold startup?”
  • “Has the car had any cam timing or VVT fault codes?”
  • “What oil grade and change interval has been used?”

043.6 Pentastar cylinder-head 'tick' and rocker/needle-bearing wear

Let it idle warm and listen for a tick, and feel for a misfire.petrol2011–2014Engine
OccasionalEngine $800–$4,000 to fix

Does not apply

Early 3.6 Pentastar engines (particularly 2011-2013 builds) suffered a left-bank cylinder-head fault causing a tick, misfire and rough running - Chrysler extended warranty coverage on the heads for affected vehicles (bulletin D-14-12) and revised the parts. Separately the Pentastar's roller rockers use tiny needle bearings that can collapse; the roller then seizes and grinds a flat on the camshaft, giving a persistent tick and eventual engine damage. On a used 300C, a rough-running or ticking Pentastar needs a proper look.

A removed six-cylinder diesel engine cylinder head on cardboard, valve-gear side facing up.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A six-cylinder diesel head off the engine, valve-gear side up. Cracks run between the valve seats on the face beneath.

Ll1324 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Tick or tap from the top of the engine
  • Misfire, rough idle or check-engine light (often cyl 2/4/6 - left bank)
  • Loss of power
  • Hesitation on acceleration

What to check

Let it idle warm and listen for a tick, and feel for a misfire. Ask if this is an early (2011-2013) build and whether the cylinder head or rockers were replaced under the extended coverage - get paperwork. Have it scanned for misfire codes concentrated on one bank.

Where to look: Cylinder heads and rocker/valvetrain on the V6 engine (left bank most affected)

Parts involved: Cylinder head.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the cylinder head or any rockers been replaced, and is there paperwork?”
  • “Does it ever tick, misfire or run rough?”

053.0 CRD (OM642) Intake and Swirl-Flap Soot Build-Up

On the drive, judge low-RPM pull in a high gear — a healthy CRD pulls cleanly from 1,500 rpm.diesel2006–2012Engine
OccasionalEngine $600–$2,500 to fix

Does not apply

Like every OM642, the CRD's intake tracts and swirl flaps coke up with an EGR oil-and-soot paste over time, robbing low-rev response, worsening economy and eventually sticking the swirl flaps or their actuator, which brings an engine light and limp mode. It is standard practice to clean the passages and renew the swirl valve whenever the oil cooler is done, because the same teardown exposes both. Short-tripped cars soot up fastest.

Symptoms to notice

  • Flat low-rev response and worsening fuel economy
  • Engine light with intake or swirl-flap codes
  • Rough idle when warm
  • Black smoke under acceleration

What to check

On the drive, judge low-RPM pull in a high gear — a healthy CRD pulls cleanly from 1,500 rpm; boggy response with black smoke points at a sooted intake. Ask whether the intake was cleaned when (if) the oil cooler seals were done — the jobs share the teardown, and a cooler invoice without intake cleaning means the soot is still there. If a workshop inspection is possible: read swirl-flap actuator position codes and inspect the intake ports with a borescope.

Where to look: Intake manifolds and swirl flaps on both banks, under the engine cover

Parts involved: Intake manifold.

Ask the seller

  • “Was the intake cleaned when the oil cooler was done?”
  • “Any engine light history for intake or swirl-flap codes?”
  • “Is most of its driving short urban trips?”
Electrical2

01LX2 300C alternator diode failure, stalling and fire risk recall (petrol, 2011-2014)

Ask for proof the alternator recall has been done (a dealer invoice or recall record).petrol2011–2014Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $0–$1,500 to fix

Does not apply

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.

Symptoms to 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

What to check

  1. Ask for proof the alternator recall has been done (a dealer invoice or recall record).
  2. Start the car and watch for a battery, ABS or stability control light, and on the test drive check the steering stays light at parking speeds.
  3. Smell for anything hot or electrical in the engine bay after the drive.
  4. If a workshop inspection is possible: run the VIN through a dealer recall check and test the charging voltage under load.

Where to look: Front of the engine, alternator on the accessory belt

Parts involved: Alternator.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the alternator recall been done, and can I see the paperwork?”
  • “Has the car ever stalled or shown a battery or ABS warning?”
  • “Has the alternator been replaced outside the recall?”

02TIPM / power-module faults causing no-start, stalling and electrical gremlins

Ask whether the car has ever failed to start or stalled for no clear reason, or had odd electrical behaviour.2012–2021Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $500–$1,800 to fix

Does not apply

Chrysler products of this era, including the 300C, are known for TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module - the smart fuse box) faults. A failing TIPM can cut power to the fuel-pump relay, giving a crank-but-no-start or a stall while driving, and can cause random electrical gremlins - lights, wipers, horn or door locks acting on their own. It can be intermittent, which makes it maddening to diagnose, and a replacement module plus programming isn't cheap.

Symptoms to notice

  • Crank but no start, sometimes intermittent
  • Stalling while driving
  • Fuel pump running when the car is off, or not priming
  • Random electrical faults - wipers, lights, locks, horn

What to check

  1. Ask whether the car has ever failed to start or stalled for no clear reason, or had odd electrical behaviour.
  2. Start it several times, including after it's sat, and listen for the fuel pump priming.
  3. Any history of intermittent no-starts should prompt a TIPM check.

Where to look: TIPM / integrated power module (smart fuse box) in the engine bay

Ask the seller

  • “Has it ever failed to start, stalled, or had random electrical faults?”
  • “Has the TIPM/power module ever been replaced?”
Fluid leaks2

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

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.diesel2006–2012Fluid LeaksRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

023.6 Pentastar V6 plastic oil-filter housing cracking (oil + coolant leak)

petrol2012–2021Fluid LeaksRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Chrysler 300C faults in detail

Narrowed to the Chrysler 300C · 2005. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

3.0 CRD (OM642) swirl-flap failure and oil-cooler seal leaksMajor · Engine5.7 Hemi MDS Lifter FailureCritical · EngineW5A580 (NAG1) Auto — Fluid Degradation, Shudder and Torque Converter FaultsMajor · Transmission

Other Chrysler models

Chrysler 30011 documented faultsChrysler PT Cruiser5 documented faults

Chrysler 300C buyer questions

Is the Chrysler 300C reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 15 documented faults for the Chrysler 300C, the recurring problem areas are engine, electrical, and transmission. A Chrysler 300C with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Chrysler 300C?

We've catalogued 15 known faults for the Chrysler 300C, covering engine, electrical, and transmission. All 15 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Chrysler 300C?

Most single repairs on the Chrysler 300C fall between $600–$3,000 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 15 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Chrysler 300C?

Yes. A Chrysler 300C inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.