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Chrysler 300: Problems & Solutions
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The EPA sticker says 17/23. Since I am not even close to 17 I am curious if others have had this issue.
Will it be better after the break in period?
Paul
any suggestions? should i even bother? i don't want the dealer to do explorative surgery on my car just on this random occurence...
Wondering if anyone else has had this problem, I received my 300 Limited with one side Chrome Wheels and the other side with hubcaps. I had to drive my car like this for two weeks while the other two wheels came in. I have contacted Chrysler Custmer Service, but I did not get a positive response (not even an apology letter/call/etc), which has been the case thru my entire (bad) buying experience with Chrysler. What can I do next?
Whenever I turn on the fan (especially when the AC is on) and I'm at a stop, my car vibrates intermitently. I've only driven my car 300 Limited edition (3.5 Liter, V6, 250 hp) for about 1500 miles. Is this normal? Anyone else have this problem?
I took delivery of my **first** 300C (Magnesiuml fully loaded) on June 2. Ran well for a few weeks, then developed a cold-idle misfire in cylinder #4. Easily diagnosed, but impossible to fix, even after bringing in engineers from HQ. Problem persisted through beginning of August, at which time DC decided to do a complete engine swap. This was finished 2nd week of August. I had a very nice loaner minivan while the work was taking place (and , in fact, had loaners for the earlier visits).
After swap, car ran well for maybe a month. Then, a strange noise/vibration began happening intermittently--apparently from the right rear, but again it was impossible to correctly diagnose. It sounded and felt as though the car were riding over the rumble strips that one usually finds while approaching tollbooths. The problem persisted, grew worse, and evolved into a generalized off-and-on drivetrain vibration.
The following fixes were attempted, in order: new halfshafts; new differential; new driveshaft. Nothing worked and the driveability of the car continued to deteriorate. At this point, after the 3rd attempt to repair, I made contact with appropriate DC officials and arrived at an agreement to completely replace the car. My lawyer reviewed the printed document and found it exceptional in its generosity.
A hot-coded order for a new 300C was placed in mid-November (identical except Cool Vanilla instead of Magnesium). I continued to drive my original 300C, with the problem mentioned above getting worse and worse, until the transmission failed totally in mid-December. The car was taken away on a roll-back and I never drove it again.
I took delivery of my new 300C the Saturday before Christmas--apparently some sort of a speed record for ordering a 300C. So far, so good--beautiful car, fast as all get out, mechanically perfect to date. I'm still trying to figure out all the memory functions--I think the car may be smarter than i am--but it's a joy. Just passed the 3K mileage mark. Drove it in snow a few times; no serious problems, but for the bad stuff my wife and I also have a new Subaru Legacy.
To sum up: I feel DC handled my case very, very well. There were times when I felt some of the repair attempts were rather "experimental" in nature (new car, new troubles) and, of course, the whole experience left a bad taste generally. But the manufacturer is making good, the new "C" is everything promised, and it still gets looks, nods, etc. from passers-by and the like.
With fingers still tightly crossed, I'm enjoying my new car thoroughly. I hope, through whatever means necessary, you all arrive at a point where you can say the same.
The one that bothered me the most was an issue that I thought was related to shift points between 4th and 5th. Between 48 and 58 miles per hour,I noticed that it was running rough, almost like rpm's were too low for the gear. It was most annoying when the variable displacement was engaging between 1700 & 2100 rpm's. I often the car in 4th around town to stay out of the variable mode. I took it to the dealer, and their was a TSB on it. Apparently if you do not use the correct weight of oil, this condition would occur. I had made several oil changes at a quick lube and I verified my request for the correct oil. According to my receipt the used the right oil. Since the dealer changed the oil and filter, the variable displacement runs much smoother. I wish the ESP button would turn it off when traction control is off though. I am seeking a performance chip and someone that knows how to program it to dial in the car as much as it will allow.
Here's my list of items I either do not like, or would have had Chrysler do differently:
1)Seats- I would prefer a seat with more relaxed side bolsters on the bottom sides. I am average size and they become uncomfortable after a day in the car. I hear the seats in the SRT8 are not comfortable either. I plan to have an interior shop adjust the springs and reinforce the seat with some padding. I have noticed that some leg positions cause the cardboard seat backing to loose its bend or kind of pop downward on large bumps or repositioning. It always returns though.
2)Ride: I would have prefered a button to switch between sport and comfort modes. It definately has contact with the road. You can feel most everything, although it is muted just enough to keep it in he luxury performance class.
3)ESP: The ESP works fine under most conditions. However when the car looses traction on both rear tires, ESP kills all power to the drive unit. You gotta watch pulling out into traffic when the roads are wet or snow covered. I damn near got killed when it did this to me when I was not expecting to loose traction. I turn the ESP off when I know that pulling our may cause that. Chrysler really ought to look at that.
4)Paint: My 300C is the silver version. I have found several spots where the paint is stained, discolored or worn. It is also a little thin in its coat on the hood.
5) Wheels: I am now in the first winter, and the chrome clad wheels are pitting. I plan to complain in the spring and get them replaced. I may pay extra to get the SRT 20's if they are not clad. My opinon is that the Conti run-flats ride hard. Goodyear will be making the tires for the SRT. I bet their 245/45-20's ride better than the Conti's. I would suggest the regular conti's unless someone else feels different.
6) Navigation & U-Connect: I would prefer that there be a black background for night mode. The map does not dim equal to the console lights in the dash. Maybe the future NAV DVD's will address this. The NAV is too bright at night on a dark highway. I love the Sirius radio. Killer base from the sound system. There should be a steering wheel button assignment to answer and end calls. The mic level is a bit low for people on the other end. U-Connect voice commands require too many steps to a call.
7)Performance: It's to bad that they didn't make the 1st and 2nd gears lower. With the 5 speed auto, there is ample range to go to lower gears. Shift points tend to slide from one geat to another when getting on it. Crisper shifting would be nice. I wouldn't mind hearing it bark once in while. Waiting for the performance chip.
8)I think the car would handle much better lowered. I would sure like to hear from someone that used the Eibach springs with some feedback.
9)Hopefully someone will come out with a bolt on supercharger. I would love to get an SRT, but too soon to break that one on the wife. The extra ponies would be great.
10)Exhaust: The exhaust note is nice. I would like to hear from someone that has upgraded. I would like to hear the note bit deeper, calm under normal circumstances, but attention getting when I want it. Too scared to do it without hearing it first. Scared it might rap when slowing, or come off with a metallic note.
I know this is a sizeable list, but none are enough to make me dislike this car. It is still the coolest bomber on the road. Thank God Chrysler didn't give the SRT a significantly different look. I hate sucking hind [non-permissible content removed] in my ride. I hope to hang on to this and eventually morph it into a Foose like creation for weekend and evening cruising. I figure there will be huge aftermarket for performance parts by the time it goes out of warranty. Finally, I got my first speeding ticket. I am suprised it didn't come sooner. It is about impossible not to groove to the torque and power at least once every other drive or so.
Most exciting new car I have owned. Now if I can talk my wife into the hemi Durango.
I also do not find the ride as quiet as they advertise it to be.
Today when towards the end of a two hour drive, I noticed the smell and that the heater control knobs and the panel were both very hot (approx. 125F-140F).
It is 32F outside today so external factors do not seem to apply. The Nav unit was one as was the CD player.
I have noticed this smell on other long trips but never associated it with the climate controls.
Last summer the A/C quit suddenly on a 30 mile trip but seemed fine on the return trip.
I also have the rattle in the dash and the pull to
the right.
Does anyone else have issues with the climate control system?
Has anyone else detected the smell of cooking electronics?
Anyone else experience this? How was it fixed?
I have the Boston Acoustics system that comes standard on the C
We have the 300C(hemi)and were told by the dealer that they don't make snow tires for the vehicle. I read on here that they may not be availabe on certain rim sizes?? It's my husbands car so he may know the wheel size but it is not standard that I know of.
I know we'd be interested in hearing about the snow tires. Who make them?
Thanks
As far as snow tires are concerned check the tirerack.com. They are available for the 300C. The dealer should know this fact. However, some dealers just don't want to be bothered.
we will look into them. I dont know why the dealer told us they are not available. We do a lot of business with them and if I do find out they are available I will be upset.
I still dont think it is safe that the car slides down inclines as much as it does. For the cost of the car, you would hope your chances of getting run over by your own car would be pretty low.
One thing I notice and hate is the gas cap is tethered but there is not place to place the cap
once you have it remove. My dodge truck has a holder in the cover to hold the cap while fueling.
Is this how everyones is setup or am I missing something in mine?
thanks
Donna
The dealer has given us one option, Continental 4X4 Winter contact at over $200.00 a tire.
Has anyone found something else? The tires are 18s.
thanks
The drift went away after about 5,000 miles so I didn't pursue it further.
Straight to dealer and loaner car yesterday. Today I stopped by to see what they had learned and the head tech guy said that when the AC was on a vibration caused the transmission filler tube become loose allowing some water to get into the transmission fluid. Solution: purge old tranny fluid with several flushes, new fluid and seal the filler tube. I pick the car up tomorrow. Anyone ever hear of this problem before?
I know of lots of people who are having the vibration problem. Is it possible for you to get the actual TSB number for the exhaust fix from your dealer? We have been unable to find it.
Thanks
john