16 of the
294 complaints about the 2000 Chrysler 300M are about the
seats — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
81,500 miles.
F
16
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Seats
743.8%
Recliner
637.5%
Power Adjust
212.5%
Seat Heater/Cooler
16.3%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 104,387 milesOcala, FL
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO SUDDENLY RECLINE TO A FULL HORIZONTAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A PLASTIC GEAR TO THE SEAT MOTOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO REMEDY WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,387.
NHTSA complaint #10630287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesMiddleton, ID
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING, THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT FROM AN UPRIGHT TO RECLINING POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10549656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesMerritt Island, FLCrash1 injured
SEATS
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT STOP AND REAR ENDED ME. BOTH FRONT SEATS IN MY CAR LET LOOSE AND THE SEAT BACKS WENT FULLY RECLINED. MY WIFE AND I WERE BOTH LAYING ON OUR BACKS WITH HEADS ON THE BACK SEAT. THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING, IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO GET UPRIGHT AND STOP THE CAR. CHRYSLER TOLD ME THE SEATS ARE DESIGNED THIS WAY. HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID "THE SEATS IN YOUR VEHICLE. OUR DESIGN TO PROGRESSIVELY TILT JUST DURING A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE IDEA BEHIND THAT, IS THAT IT DOES LESSON INJURIES TO THE FRONT SEAT VEHICLE OCCUPANTS ONCE THAT HAPPENS SO THAT WOULD BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A REAR END COLLISION". I SAY [XXX]. IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE BACK THE SEAT WOULD HAVE BROKEN THEIR LEGS. IT WAS NOT A"PROGRESSIVE" TILT, THEY FLEW BACK. THEY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10477340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,934 milesEL Paso, TX
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V035000 ( SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TWO BRACKETS THAT HELD THE SEAT IN PLACE WERE DISINTEGRATED AND THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,934. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10392141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesPheonix, AZCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
TL*(THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT INVOLUNTARILY RECLINED RESULTING IN A CRASH THAT DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PERSON WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #10335525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesLAS Cruces, NM
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT ADJUSTER FAILED AND THE SEAT BACK FELL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10175761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sherman Oaks, CA
SEATS
CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST THE SEAT. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BROKE AND THE CONSUMER FELL BACKWARDS.
NHTSA complaint #10056111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,082 milesCapitol Heights, MDFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO SHARE HALF OF THE COST TO REPAIR THE SEAT. *JB THE HEAT MECHANISM IN THE LEATHER SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THROUGH THE CONSUMER'S JACKET. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10055758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredericksburg, VA
SEATS
SEAT WOBBLES AND LEANS FORWARD / AFTER WHEN ACCELERATING DECELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #10045191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Enfield, ME1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR DRIVER'S SIDE RECLINER. HOWEVER,IT WAS THE PASSENGER'S SIDE RECLINER THAT BROKE. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND SUSTAINED BACK INJURY WHEN HE SAT IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT AFTER HAVING BACK SURGERY AND THE BOLTS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10042223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
LTR OF COMPLAINT RE CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH EMPLOYEE OF STONE MOUNTAIN CHRYSLER...*MR THE DEALER FAILED TO CONTACT THE CONSUMER TO SCHEDULE RECALL# 03V035000. THE CONSUMER WILL HOLD CHRYSLER ACCOUNTABLE AND LIABLE FOR DAMAGES AND INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR DEFECTIVE BOLTS. SCC *TT
NHTSA complaint #10021585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesRiverdale, GA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
AFTER SLAMMING ON BRAKES THE FORCE OF IMPACT CAUSED CONSUMER'S BACK TO SLAM AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT. SEATBACK BROKE OFF ON ONE SIDE. CONSUMER FEELS IT MAY BE A BOLT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10021818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elgin, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS NOT STABLE, DURING SLIGHT ACCELERATION THE SEAT LURCHES BACKWARD SLIGHTLY, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kuna, IDCrash2 injured
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING, WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND UPON IMPACT DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. DRIVER WAS IN A FLAT POSITION. TRUNK WAS PUSHED INTO BACKSEAT. VEHICLE TOTALED, PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE INJURED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8006826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elgin, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS NOT STABLE, DURING SLIGHT ACCELERATION THE SEAT LURCHES BACKWARD SLIGHTLY, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VACrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. ALSO, REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP, SEATBACK COLLASPED, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #861074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.