Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chrysler 300M owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2000 Chrysler 300M. The contact stated that the lift support struts of the hood and the trunk had failed, causing the trunk and the hood to close on her head when raised. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Driving aprox 10 MPH into to school pick up and drop off area, to pick up children as school was letting out. I lost all steering functions, I had to have car towed back to my residence. My husband found that a bolt had broke off the tie rod ((right side) going into the rack and pinion and the (left side) bolt to the tie rod had back out of the rack and pinion. Their were no warning signs that something was wrong with the steering. I thank the good lord that it happened where and when it did, it could have been a different outcome a few miles down the road with myself and 3 children in the car going 45-50 MPH on the 2 lane road going back to our home. Now as I drive our other vehicle around and see a Chrysler 300m I worry about the safety of the occupants in that vehicle and the others around them.
Passenger side dash has a vertical crack that extends for about 4" where the passager side airbag is. The car was not in any kind of accident or situation that would have casued this problem. I am concerned about the functionality of the airbag in the passenger side due to the cracked dash. My son cut his finger on the edges of the crack when he was investigating it as small children tend to do. I called the dealer I purchased the car from because I bought the extended warrenty from Chrysler. The dealer told me it was not covered and a new dash was approx. $1000.00 to replace. This incident is unacceptable and is concerning to the safety of my family.
One week ago a 3" split appeared in the passenger side dashboard vinyl near the air bag. My concern is that this is in someway related to, or is going to affect, the operation of the air bag deployment. I understand this is beginning to occur in many 1999 and 2000 300m's. Four years seems much too early for a problem like this to occur. The vinyl is still resilient and pliable, not hard or brittle. My local Chrysler dealer (allen jay) tells me they have never heard of it. They suggested I see about having repaired by someone who does vinyl repair. In my opinion this would further affect the deployment of the air bag. Thank you for your time.
Dt*: the contact stated the molding around all 4 doors comes unglued and hangs down during hot weather. The molding hardens and chips when the weather gets cold. Sometimes, the contact sustains minor injuries such as scratches on the head from the unglued molding when entering the vehicle. The contact had the molding replaced once in 2004. The problem reoccurred in 2005. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no resolution. Updated 10/31/2006 - the consuemr has gotten small cuts when brushing against the hard molding.
The dashboard is starting to crack in three separate locations all surrounding the passenger side airbag creases. It appears this would be a safety issue since it compromises the airbag component where my wife sits everyday to and from work. If the three cracks continue all the way around the airbag will the airbag spontaneously deploy? If I decide to seal the three cracks will this effect the way the airbag deploys (or possibly make it not deploy) to the vehicle passenger?
The inside drivers door latch broke where the latch mechanism connecting the rod attaches. I can only open the door from the outside. The handle assembly is molded I can't open the door quickly in the event of an emergency. The repair has not been completed, the door panel is on backorder.
There was a crack in the dashboard located over the passenger's side air bag compartment. Consumer contacted Chrysler online customer service which advised consumer to have the entire dashboard replaced. Also, it was indicated that this procedure could modify the air bag's effectiveness.
Dashboard crack over passenger side air bag. Dealer will not repair under warranty/dealer cost. Chrysler says dash must be replaced. Concerned about additional cracking and airbag deployment problems.
Dashboard padding cracked around the air bag on the passenger's side compartment/cover area. Consumer had a concern that it May cause a problem with air bag deploying improperly or inadvertently.
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles (non-sunroof only) fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact."
Remedy: Owners will be sent a storage bin accessory unit that can be attached to the b-pillar along with installation instructions. However, if an owner wishes, the dealer can perform the installation.
Body complaints in other 300M years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2000 Chrysler 300M?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 Chrysler 300M, 16% of the model year's 242 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chrysler 300M body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-273 (frame and members, Aug 2, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Chrysler 300M body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.