Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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.
The vehicle began to shutter in reverse. This went on for about a week. Transmission fluid level was checked and it was in the normal range. My husband and I were driving it and made a sharp turn to find us in a spot to continue forward and go off a cliff or back up and get out of traffics way. He backed up and we heard a clunk. The car continues to drive forward with no issues but it acts as of it's in neutral when you put it in reverse. No codes are showing either.
Reverse gear went out after vehicle slipped once, acted as if in neutral when in reverse and pressing gas pedal down but would not move. Had local towing and mechanic shop in Gower Missouri check transmission fluid level in which was found to be a quart low on transmission fluid. Car had been extremely well maintained and all recommended maintenance services completed by previous owners. Able to drive car in all other gears, codes p0007 code appear with no check engine light or any type of warning or indication that a problem was present within my 2005 Chrysler 300 3.5l v6 rwd car with the 42rle transmission My vehicle also has issues occur suddenly regarding front end suspension has death shake and very loud clinking popping banging noises while driving at all speeds. Steering wheel has a weird squeek/creeking noise when turning the wheel at times and feels like steering is loose. …
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.
On nov 9, 2005 I drove into my drive way and started turning to pull into the garage. My 2005c with Hemi suddenly surged forward hitting my daughter's 2004 Jeep grand cherokee. Her car had damage on the rear bumper and it was knocked about 15 or 20 feet. The front of my car was torn up. The air bag did not deploy but, thankfully no one was hurt. I have contacted Chrysler about the surge and they stated they have not had any complaints. I found one on this website about the car surging. This will effect my insurance and has been a problem for my family with two cars having to be repaired. I reported to Chrysler that twice that day the car had made a revving sound but had not surged forward. This is very dangerous and now makes me unsure about driving the car again. We bought this car new from benchmark Chrysler in January. …
While getting on the freeway, at approx. 50 MPH the car would not shift into next gear. RPM was 4500-5000 (as though possibly stuck in overdrive). I decelerated hoping it would compute the need to shift. It didn't. I tried accelerating slowly and still didnt shift. I slowed down, put emergency flashers on and took the next exit 1/4 mile or less away. Since the light was red at the exit , I tried putting car into park and then back into drive to see if it would ('reset'), instead the shift selector was stuck in park. Light turned green and I couldn't get it in drive, couldn't move. After several attempts it finally went into drive. When I got off work, same thing...stuck in park. After 4th try, I was able to get it in reverse, then into drive. I made it home without getting on freeway, parked the car 3 days ago and have not driven it since then. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and shutoff while driving. The contact stated that the wheel locked without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the greenway Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram located at 9051 e colonial dr, orlando, fl 32817, where it was diagnosed that an unknown part was damaged in the dashboard with the ignition and needed to be replaced. The technician also stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The contact was informed by a relative that an air bag was replaced in 2018 however, the technician stated that the air bag repair would not have caused the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. The consumer states that vehicle is inoperable and dangerous to to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that the shifter would not move out of the park position. The vehicle was towed to crown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram greensboro (3710 w wendover ave, greensboro, nc 27407, [phone]); however, the dealer previously repaired the vehicle twice for the same failure. The dealer repaired the vehicle on October 26, 2018. The contact stated that the vehicle was operating fine until three weeks ago. The dealer wanted to charge another $125 for a diagnostic fee. The contact refused and was operating the vehicle after being shown how to shift by manually bypassing the normal shifting of gears. The contact was shown the manual bypass method by a friend who had the same issue with a similar vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 99,700.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that the vehicle was started, but did not shift out of park, rendering the vehicle inoperable. The contact stated that there was no warning indicator. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the gear system needed to be repaired. The technician also stated that there was a recall and advised the contact to go to a local dealer. The local dealer stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but stated that there was no recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
I left my car running on park for a few minutes in front of my house, the car engaged it self in gear, drove itself in the garage and crashed. I have a video security system and the camera shows the car fully stopped for about 50 seconds and then it takes off. I called Chrysler, they sent an investigator and all he did was check to see if the car can be put in drive with out stepping on the brakes. I received a letter from Chrysler stating that they could not find anything wrong with my car, and that it is illegal to leave a car running unattended in the state of florida.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft May be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle May not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on November 28, 2005.
Transmission complaints in other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Chrysler 300?
NHTSA has 193 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Chrysler 300, 23% of the model year's 837 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (55 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chrysler 300 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-460 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Chrysler 300 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.