Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chrysler 300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. Occasionally the lights on the dashboard and inside the vehicle would randomly blink off and on. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. During the diagnostic test, the electrical fuses continued to malfunction. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 137,000.
This is a serious safety concern regarding the shift interlock system on my 2005 Chrysler 300. When the vehicle is in Park, particularly in traffic, and the light turns green, I am forced to lift the coin attachment and manually press the pink interlock just to change gears or accelerate. This creates a dangerous situation where I am unable to move the vehicle promptly, potentially leaving me vulnerable to a rear-end collision. The issue stems from Recall 05V462000, which specifically addresses a shift interlock defect that Chrysler has failed to address despite my repeated attempts to have it repaired. Chrysler has not taken any action to resolve the recall issue, leaving me in a potentially life-threatening situation every time I drive. It is unacceptable that this recall has not been acted upon, and this critical safety defect must be corrected immediately.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300. While driving 45 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed to be serviced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred after the repair. The contact also stated that all the doors failed to unlock. The police had to unlock the doors. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump, batteries, and the entire motor needed to be replaced. The contact received a replacement key fob, which also failed to unlock the doors. The vehicle was repaired. Also, while driving 30 MPH, the contact noticed smoke under the hood. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact poured water to stop the smoke, but the failure recurred several other times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. In addition, the ABS and the electronic throttle control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the PCM and the win module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Chrysler 300. Upon starting the vehicle, smoke emerged from the air vents and flames appeared from the dashboard. The vehicle doors failed to open. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and deemed a total loss. The local dealer was not contacted and the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 126,000.
I purchased a new Chrysler 300 on 11/03/04 and experienced difficulty with the vehicles lights both interior and exterior. Called grogan dealership on 11/9/04 to issue the complaint. Was told to bring the vehicle in. The vehicle went into the shop at the dealership on 11/30/04 and was returned to me on 12/02/04 with an invoice stating there is no fix at this time. Made several complaints since then about the safety concern related to this vehicles lights flickering continuously. Then on 12/17/04 the vehicles lights went completely out causing an accident with an injury. The accident resulted in an injury and severe damage to the vehicle. This is a safety concern for individuals in the vehicle and any oncoming traffic. Chrysler was contacted and the dealership and neither are owning up to the safety concern. Neglect is unacceptable. …
Dt: contact purchased a 2005 Chrysler 300 limited edition sedan on 7-27-05. He drove it home. The next day his wife parked vehicle in the parking lot where she worked. 30 minutes later, the manager of the building called contact wife's office informing her there was a car on fire in the parking lot. Flames came out of the engine block. The car was totally destroyed in less than 24 hours after purchasing it. The car parked next to contact's vehicle was destroyed, as well as 2 or 3 other cars were damaged. He contacted daimler/Chrysler, and they were going to send someone to look at the car. The dealer agreed to give contact a loaner vehicle. Contact did not notice any defect within the car prior to the fire. This was reported to the fire department and police department. Contact had pictures of the car. …
Ii own a 2005 300c with 1001,500 miles. I had a problem with the car running out of gas when the gage was still showing gas in the tank wile driving in city streets, and once in highway. Luckily I was in the right lane. I complained to the dealer in two occasions of this occurrence. Finally the tank was replaced around 2014. After that, I went back to the dealer on several occasions complaining that after filling my tank with gas there was a strong smell of fuel. They keep telling me there was nothing wrong. Finally in October 2019. I took car back and was told there was a crack on the at top of fuel tank pump housing r/h, and gas was leaking from the attaching ring and the rubber hose and accumulating on some cavities at top of pump. The dealer quoted me about a thousand dollar for the job, and needed keep my car for 3 days. …
Dt: contact states he bought a new 2005 Chrysler 300 m touring on approximately 1-04. On 6-23-05 he took the car in to the dealer where he bought it;(sparsest Chrysler) to let them fix a problem he was having with the button that allows him to see the temperature outside the car and also allows him to see the mileage he has driven. The button would not work; so he asked the dealer to fix it. On the same day, he got the car back from the dealer and he noticed it was doing the same thing but after a while it did start to work. On 7-13-05 while the car was parked in his garage, the car caught on fire. He is not sure where the fire originated from but he did say the car has a big hole in the dash. He called Chrysler and they told him they would have to investigate it. His insurance adjuster has looked at it and determined that it was an electrical fire. …
Comments the dash lights and the headlights flicker off and on at night. They come on in the off position and turn off in the on position. This has been going on for almost a year. I have not had it checked out for fear that it will be costly. Anyone have suggestions on a resolution? Dash, interior lights, door locks, and trunk. Don't work trouble lights all flash then headlights and dash lights go out. I turn the headlight switch from "auto" to "manual" and the headlights come back on. Dash lights continue to flicker intermittently but at least I can drive it - afraid this switch trick will quit working one night while I'm on an unlit country road! 2005 Chrysler 300 189,000 mi, the dash lights and the headlights flicker off and on at night. They come on in the off position and turn off in the on position. This has been going on for almost a year. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
On certain passenger vehicles, the battery cable fasteners at the bulkhead stud May not have been properly tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the bulkhead stud battery cable fasteners to the proper specification. Owner notification began on July 6, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical complaints in other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Chrysler 300?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Chrysler 300, 12% of the model year's 837 complaints. The component named most often is horn (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chrysler 300 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-334 (cables, Jul 9, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Chrysler 300 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 12 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.