2012 Chrysler 300 Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  2

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  916%
• 25k–50k
  1221%
• 50k–75k
  2138%
• 75k–100k
  1221%
• 100k–150k
  12%
• 150k+
  12%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chrysler 300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Was on my way home from work and car completely lost power as I was preceding to go after stopping at a stop sign. I was LITERALLY in the middle of the road. Car wouldn't crank AT ALL. Engine started OVERHEATING causing smoke to disburse from engine. NO WARNING LIGHTS before this occurred. A big truck was coming down the road and I had to exist the vehicle. Luckily a car wasn't in the other lane so the truck went on the other side of the road. I was terrified! I called 911 to get a deputy dispatch to direct traffic around my car to avoid mutiple COLLISION. I had to have my vehicle towed. I never want another Chrysler again these cars are UNSAFE. I could have died what if my child was in the car?! I took my car to a mechanic to put on computer scanner and it gave off SEVEN codes ALL due to ELECTRICAL ISSUES! CAR IS APPARENTLY STUCK IN LIMP MODE IDK I'M SO CONFUSED AND DISAPPOINTED. …

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and restarted the vehicle however, the engine revved but the vehicle failed to move forward. The vehicle was towed the residence. The following day the vehicle started and drove as designed; however, the vehicle would not reverse. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown

Vehicle received passenger airbag inflator recall service at Viva CDJR in El Paso, TX. The dash disassembly disturbed adjacent wiring/BCM connections, and after driving, vibration caused a short/ground fault, creating runaway wipers, A/C failure, transmission limp mode, check engine and power steering lights while in transit. Dealer has kept the car for over two weeks and refuses to scan diagnostic trouble codes or inspect the recall-adjacent wiring harness. The vehicle has never experienced this issue prior to the recall service.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the instrument panel illuminated. Also, the contact stated that fluid was leaking from under the front of the vehicle and the vehicle started smoking. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the transmission had been replaced on three other occasions approximately every 10,000-12,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000. …

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While the vehicle was parked, the contact approached the vehicle and pressed the auto start button. The vehicle started to roll down the street and crashed into a concrete divider. The undercarriage and fog light fractured without warning. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who kept the vehicle and later stated that the damage was not due to a recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. In the interim, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V240000 (power train) and 16V352000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 66,656. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact received a recall notification for the air bags. The part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. In addition, while pulling into the driveway, the vehicle independently reversed and rolled into a flower pot. The contact was able to re-enter the vehicle, which was still in park. The contact was uncertain of what caused the failure. Since the failure, the contact constantly applied the emergency brake out of concern. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The NHTSA campaign number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While the vehicle was parked in a driveway, it rolled down the driveway and crashed into a building. The contact attempted to get back into the vehicle to place it in park, but was unsuccessful. The contact was not injured and a police report was not field. The gear was still in drive and rolled away. The vehicle was parked at a collision repair center for inspection. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V352000 (air bags) and 16V240000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift properly into park position. As a result, the vehicle independently rolled forward down an incline and crashed into a curb. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V240000 (power train). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While in park, the contact's vehicle rolled away in the forward direction and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The body of the vehicle was repaired. In addition, the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 16V240000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

April transmission software patch was installed but the problem still occurs periodically. Since patch was installed transmission has locked in park twice requiring "emergency" release. Last week I pulled into my driveway, shifted into park and reached for a package on floor. While reaching car rolled forward hitting corner of brick garage knocking brick work loose and snapping garage door cable on right side of door.brickwork must be taken down and reinstalled. Am awaiting estimates. Photos are attached.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other 300 years