Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chrysler 200 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When I start my car the airbag, slippery or skid resistant and the anti-locking brake instruments comes on periodically and then goes out; the radio stop working, has no control of the steering wheel it wouldn't steered correctly yesterday and it wouldn't go in any gear except park. go in park.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Chrysler 200. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle independently swerved to the right and struck a frozen embankment. The seat belt failed to restrain the contact. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away by the insurance company. The contact sustained injuries to the head, lower back, jaw, and several broken ribs. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was totaled. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V668000 (seat belts). The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. Updated 7/16/18
While traveling on m59 in oakland county my drivers side tire blew out causing the car to hit the concrete median as steering would not function. My car damage rendered it a total loss and caused physical injury to me. The oakland sheriff dept responded and I was taken by ambulance to the troy beaumont hospital. This happened 10/10/2020. I remain in great pain in areas of head and torso.
My steering wheel became hard to turn. It was like driving manually. I took my Chrysler 200 to pep boys and they replaced the power steering pump. The steering was fine for a day then it went back to being hard to turn. I took it back to pep boys and they replaced the pump again. It lasted for three days and it went back to being hard to turn. I again retuned to pep boys and they then said that my rack in pinion had to be replaced. I could not afford to get the work done. I was told by Chrysler, that my warranty had expired and I would have to pay out of pocket. My car was not yet 2 years old. This was ridiculous. No one wants to take responsibility for the front end. …
I have a 2011 Chrysler 200 2.4l engine that over this passed week has stalled at least 8 times. Every time the vehicle will start to show signs of "lagging" and while at low speeds just shut off. I am currently a college student and rely on having a vehicle to drive, since I live 6 hours from home. Tonight I was on my way home and it stalled on me 4 times every time I would get about 100 yards and it would do it again, finally I got a safe place to park the vehicle and had to walk back to my apartment. Tomorrow I am having the vehicle towed to get it looked at. The check engine light does come on every time this happens but I go through the menu on the steering wheel and it always say "system: OK" so no warning code is popping up. Which I know when I take it to the dealership they are going to say they "cannot replicate the problem" and just send me on my way. …
I have had my car major repaired in service over 24 times . I say lemon law! The first year I drive what dealership loaned me to drive while attempting to fix major mechanical problems. I put 5000$ down on my Chrysler 200 s 2011. It's my 3rd Chrysler to own. This one has caused so much headaches an out of pocket expense I don't know what to do! It sits again at dealership needing 3000$ more motor work. I drive it it totally dies losing all control no power steering on interstate .I-49 bentonville ark. Almost hit by 18 wheeler. Awful!!! The car starts an stalls out! Lights flicker in dashboard. Blows cold air when should be hot! Heater not worked 2 yrs now. Take the key out an the car stays running! It's cursed I truly believe . The service department has never seen such! I don't feel I should pay what's owed on my remaining loan to Chrysler. I've paid dearly since I've had this car. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brakes and the steering wheel locked seized. The contact was able to come to a stop after restarting the vehicle. The failure occurred on two occasions. In addition, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed that a fuse failed. It was unknown where the vehicle was taken for repairs however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available. Tl-the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the brakes and the steering wheel locked up on vehicle without warning. The contact was able to come to a stop after restarting the vehicle. This occured on two occasions. In addition, the air bag light remained illuminated. …
There's a horrible clunking noise supposedly coming from the steering wheel area. I have yet to find anyone pinpoint what it is plus I'm told the warranty is up. I originally complained to the dealer about the noise coming and going last year. No one heard it until May 17 when I drove about 40 miles at 65 MPH on a highway. Since the the amount of time it takes for the noise to start has shorten to driving about 10 miles at 30 MPH. I can't even go across town to get groceries w/o the noise starting up and getting really bad. After being at the dealer twice and 2 other mechanics I've been told it's either the intermittent steering shaft or the steering rack. Now online I see a recall on some rivet. Even a call to Chrysler itself yielded no results. I'm told this repair will cost $1,000 to $2,000!!! I don't have that kind of money!! Please, please, someone help me!! …
Sunday afternoon I came to a stop to make a left turn. I proceeded I made it into the parking lot and that's when the car engine shut off. I put brakes on immediately to avoid hitting a car because I could not turn my wheel because power steering was off because engine shut off. Scared me. I took it to robersons dealership 2 weeks prior to this because it did it twice. They ran computer test found nothing wrong. And then today this happened. I am scared. I will take car back to dealership tomorrow. Monday jan 12 2015. I then read this has happened to others and Chrysler did find a problem but NHTSA did not force them to recall. Someone could get killed if car stalls while crossing a road and get slammed into. This is in excusable, and needs to be recalled. I am scared and furious and shaken up. The steering felt weird right before it happened.
While driving, usually decelerating or getting ready to stop or already stopped and getting ready to accelerate the engine will stall or completely shut off, will be completely hot, will take about 15-20 minutes and then will start again. This has caused my son safety issues where he's completely stopped running on a busy road and then had to push the car into either a parking lot without power steering (hard to do by himself at 18 yo) or into a driveway. This has also happened in the country at night. No lights come on except once when the ABS and traction lights came on. The vehicle will vibrate slightly before each episode. The last episode we had to have it towed. Has happened about 6 times. Now no longer driving due to safety!!
Related recalls
Steering › Column
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, Jeep wrangler, Chrysler 200, Chrysler 200 convertible, Dodge avenger, Dodge nitro, Jeep liberty, Dodge caliber, Jeep compass, Jeep patriot, Dodge grand caravan and Chrysler town & country vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on July 4, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Steering complaints in other 200 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Chrysler 200?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Chrysler 200, 7% of the model year's 371 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chrysler 200 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-315 (column, Jun 8, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Chrysler 200 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.