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 300C owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When the fuel tank is topped off the vehicle stalls 2-6 times until the excess fuel is burned off. This has happened on the road, in parking lots, intersections, etc. It causes total loss of power & power steering. Additionally, I usually have to shift to Park, Neutral, Reverse, Drive, Reverse, and then drive again in order to get the transmission to lock back in forward gearing. Causing me to have to additionally pull over, or stop, when/wherever the incident occurs.
Normal day driving my vehicle. Drove approximately 24 miles to a shopping center in the city. Turned the ignition car started as expected. Car then died unexpectedly. Attempted to get it started to no avail. Called a tow truck and had the vehicle taken to a trusted ase certified mechanic a couple miles away. Get a call later stating the engine is damaged! Mechanic stated that these cars are well known for dropping valves. I proceed to ask what's the damage? These words I would learn to regret... I was given a quote of $4000-$7000 depending on how many parts were affected by this one failed piece. Thousands of people in forums are having this issue also. How is it a company doesn't acknowledge a major problem like this and get away with it? I was forced to get a $6000 loan to fix a car with 101K... Yea 1,000 miles over warranty! Chrysler needs to own up to this problem.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300c. The contact stated although the vehicle was parked with the engine running, it suddenly began to move in reverse and crashed through two poles, into oncoming traffic and ended up crashing into a neighbors fence. The contact sustained injuries but no police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis but the vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 95,000. Updated 8/4/10 the consumer was knocked to the ground by the drivers side door when he attempted to jump in the vehicle to stop it. The consumer learned a recall had been issued for the very same problem he experienced. Recall 05V460000. Updated 08/11/10
Transmission shifter interlock lever-notification code k39. There is a recall letter that Chrysler is circulating about "transmission shifter interlock lever" describing the issue of a broken spring hook in the shift lever assembly and if it breaks, it would prevent the driver to shift the car from park to reverse. My car is a 2005 Chrysler 300c and suffered from this same exact issue. I called the local Chrysler dealer and Chrysler's group recall assistance center [phone] and they both said that my car because its a canadian model, does not qualify for the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300c. The contact stated that after switching the gear shifter from drive to park, it remained stuck in the park position. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 05V460000 (power train). The failure mileage was 101,650.
The transmission has been rebuilt 3 times in the past 8months .. It just out of no were with no warnings will stop going in to first gear. Mostly on a stop. Then step on gas it won't go in to first gear any more. It did do it one while on the free way. Every single time it has done that it has to go to the shop because it won't work any more.
The k39 transmission interlock leaver went bad. It would not let me take the car out of park. There was a recall on the 2007 chrylser 300c, but not on the 2005. I found numerous claim on line about this defective piece in the 2005 Chrysler 300c.
I first had problems about 6 months ago when I could not get my car out of park. This happened periodically. I was also having a problem with the transmission. I took it into a transmission specialist. The two problems were unrelated. The transmission specialist said my shifter had to be replaced. I was out of town at the time, so I told them to replace it. Later, I happened on customer satisfaction notification k39 transmission shifter interlock lever issued by Chrysler. Chrysler could not provide me with the date of issue of this notification. …
The vehicle will stall out several times after filling the tank with gas and it only stalls out after filling the tank. Vehicle will stall when stopped or when the RPM is low. The problem is the vapor/liquid separator valve located at the top of the fuel tank. The valve is designed to prevent liquid fuel from entering the charcoal canister/emissions system. When the valve fails, liquid gas can enter the line and fill the charcoal canister. After refueling the PCM on the vehicle detects a change in fuel level. Then, when the engine meets certain temperature and driving criteria, the PCM issues a purge command to the charcoal canister to remove the stored gas vapors. It's at that point that all the liquid gas in the line gets sucked into the charcoal canister. The PCM expects to see gas vapors entering the intake manifold and it is prepared to adjust air/fuel mixtures to compensate. …
My 2005 Chrysler 300c has only 44240 miles n it and not abused since my wife and I are totally disabled vtrans with special "dv" registration so we can be driven to the vtrans hospital for medical services. On sat8/30/14 while in the garage and not being used for at least a week, my car's stick transmission shifter was stuck in park and would not allow the use or movement of the car from the garage. The usaa tow truck carrier had to drag the rear end of the car out of the garage onto the flatbed truck to take it to the Chrysler dealership in waldorf, md, where all the warranty work has been done on this car from "day one!" I was told that it was the 2 cheap plastic pink switches on the stick mechanism that had to be replaced at a charge of about $250 to me and the tow charge also and this was recurring common "problem "with the car year and reported to Chrysler as a recall. …
Transmission complaints in other 300C years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Chrysler 300C?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Chrysler 300C, 17% of the model year's 288 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chrysler 300C transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Chrysler 300C, though it has 2 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 2005 Chrysler 300C transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.