Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chrysler 300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When taking vehicle for test drive about a month ago, the check engine light was on and after driving it, i noticed when AC was on and when off, the car loses power. When i go to pull out it has no power and i almost got hit in the side every time i would pull out from a busy highway. They had check engine light looked at and they said computer told them it was air valve leak or something like that. I had appointment for them to further assist and they said they could not find anything wrong. I can hear where the valve might be leaking at. The brakes are not good. I had to put on the brakes today fast and brake pedal acted like they were gonna skid out from under my foot. Brakes are new so why is it acting like i have no brakes and there is barley any acceleration. Something is going on and i don't want to be in a car accident just because our warnings are being over looked.
I informed the dealership of ignition switch recall shortly after purchasing vehicle. The dealership stated " the VIN number shows no recalls". And that was it said there nothing showing up. I KNOW ignition switch is messed up because every time I would turn the car off I could still feel it running. I've had my car a year and now it will not crank due to ignition switch and now fuel air intake is also messing up and has caused cylinder 6 to miss fire. I have been without a vehicle for a month now and I need it fixed. When test driving the car, it would slow down as I was turning into a place of business and almost getting hit by another vehicle.
Ignition switch issue is still not resolved. I called Chrysler and they told me that there is no eta on when they are going to receive the parts to get my vehicle fixed. I have recently had issues with my car not starting at all in addition to the ignition switch sticking. I took it to the local shop and they fixed the ignition relay. After that, I received the ignition recall from Chrysler. Chrysler is refusing to reimburse me for the ignition relay as they indicated that, at this time, they cannot confirm that it is part of the recall (relay failed due to corrosion) as the representative was not sure what would need to be fixed in the recall ?????? Chrysler has also refused to provide me anything in writing of their denial of reimbursement for the corroded ignition relay. The representative would only give me her first name, [redacted], and no other assistance. …
My vehicle has a delayed start/crank once key is turned, takes about three seconds to start the vehicle engine. The car has 87,000 miles on it and this just started to happen within the last few months. I initially thought it was the battery so I had Firestone replace the battery. But that did not cure the problem. I than brought my vehicle to the Chrysler dealership and they did an inspection and verified that the ignition switch in fact had a delay crank concern. I also received a notification from Chrysler p57 recall notice. I was than informed by the dealership that there is no part available from Chrysler to fix it! I will be on some waiting list---go figure! A second wave of owners will be notified June 2015....I feel sorry for them, take a number and wait. …
While driving down the road the engine would just lose power and shut down completely, leaving me without brakes or the ability to steer. Sometimes the ignition switch would hang and not start the engine until about the fourth or fifth try. So, I took the car in for service and repairs to fix the problem. They said the problem was in the ignition...something to do with the wcm module or win module or forbik and only the dealer could repair it. On April 1, 2014, jim cogdill Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, 8544 kinston pike knoxville, tn 37919 did the work. Then, after I had spent a total of $576.62 for parts and labor, I get a letter from Chrysler informing me of safety recall p57 / NHTSA 14v-567. November 19, 2014, I sent in all of the requested information and forms and receipts stating that I had paid for repairs and that I wanted a refund. …
My wife had taken our 2008 Chrysler 300 in for service when while sitting in the service lane awaiting a service advisor with the engine running at idle one of the fan blades broke and went into the radiator. We found a technical service bulletin # csn-l08. We complied with sending all of the documentation per the service bulletin to Chrysler as instructed. After not hearing anything for more than 60 days after sending the documentation into Chrysler, we called Chrysler customer service and we were told that the reimbursement was denied due to some kind of sales code. When we asked what that was we were never told and kept being told the service bulletin was denied due to a sales code, but they would not tell us what that was and there is no such sales code mentioned on any of the paperwork and the service bulletin does not address any sales code. …
My radio has a hole in it. There was a pop noise and then everything leaked out the car was only just started, not over heating I stopped to talk to a neighbor when we heard the pop noise and a piece of plastic was sticking out of the fan area I later learned it was from my fan assembly. How does this happen to a car with less then 56,000. Miles that goes to dealers for service, this car is a lemon. They had to rebuild transmission at 27,000. Miles, brakes and rotors last year four new tires, and that dealer said I was going to need front end work, I have been to three different dealers and don't feel I can trust any of them . They seem to find things to do even if not needed . …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler 300. While driving 65 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from the engine. Also, the vehicle felt unbalanced while driving. The service engine and battery warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway, turned off the vehicle, inspected under the hood, and found nothing unusual. The noise persisted as the contact drove home. Upon attempting to drive home, the key was unable to unlock the driver side door. The contact had recently purchased the vehicle and the dealer did not give her a key fob. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that all four brake pads were worn and needed replacement, as well as the EGR valve and gasket, front outer tie rods, and front upper control arms. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that all four tires were also replaced. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the driver was going towards a curve and the engine stalled without warning. As a result, the driver crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and the front passenger sustained injuries to the left ankle, shoulder, knee and lower back. The rear passengers sustained injuries to the shoulders, head, back and legs and the driver sustained injuries to the right ankle. All occupants of the vehicle required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler 300. When the vehicle was started, the vehicle continued to function as if it were attempting to start even though the engine was already started. The contact powered the vehicle off and back on, but the vehicle was able to be started normally. The contact also stated that the lights on the instrument panel would no longer illuminate. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V567000 (electrical system) and 15V313000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
Engine complaints in other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Chrysler 300?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Chrysler 300, 11% of the model year's 727 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chrysler 300 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Chrysler 300, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Chrysler 300 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.