Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chrysler 300M owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
December 20th 2008 accident occurred. Vehicle started on fire and was totaled on the right passenger side. Inner tie rods and bushings were replaced not even two weeks before along with two tires and brakes. Vehicle pulled to the left while in an intersection. A truck coming from the opposite direction hit the vehicle on the front left passenger side and the hood. Vehicle was in a 180 degree position with little damage to the left side.
I was stopped at a city intersection waiting to make a left turn. When traffic cleared, I attempted to make the left turn. I heard a 'clunk' and the wheels did not turn. The steering wheel turned, but the tire wheels did not! I had no function except forward or reverse, so I was forced to drive into the curb in an attempt to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. I was not able to get safely off the roadway and my car blocked an entire lane of rush hour traffic which put me in a very dangerous situation. The police were called and a tow truck had to lift the car to move it out of the roadway. I was petrified. The car was towed as instructed by the police officer and is currently with the repair shop pending availability of a steering rack kit. The bolt to the rack was severed! There was no warning prior to this incident. …
Some background: I noticed the steering wheel was a little sloppy on my 300m and took it to a local dealer to be diagnosed. They told me the rack and pinion should probably be replaced. I had it replaced for around $1200. A year and a half later while traveling for christmas, I pulled off the interstate (from doing 70 MPH) to stop at a gas station. I stopped at the top of the off ramp for the stop sign. Traffic cleared, as I accelerated to turn left, when I turned the wheel I heard a noise, and the car went straight. I had no steering. Luckily I had enough room past the intersection to get out of traffic, but still had my wife and two small children in a precarious position. If this had happened while doing 70 MPH down the interstate, I'm sure we all would have been seriously injured or killed. …
Oct 2013 five months after I just had my car fixed . As I was driving through the green light I heard a noise like grinding my car stopped I could not go forward or backward, I was stopped in the far right lane of a three lane street I had to put on my flashers. I could not be move only by a tow truck. I had just had tire rods changed in May 2013 and rack n pinion fixed in May which that broke as I was backing out of a parking spot had to be towed. As I was taking the car to the dealership that had fixed it. Tow truck driver noticed tire rod bracket had broke as he was putting car down into parking area. So what I paid to get fix was broke again part could have been defected tire rod bracket. With my family I could have been hurt if I had been on the freeway.
My sister's 2001 Chrysler 300 m experienced sudden steering failure while driving. Fortunately she was travelling at low speed, so no one was killed. She described the feeling at failure as a loud noise followed by the sensation of sliding on ice. It was towed to a repair shop, where they found that the threaded holes on the steering rack that the inner tie rods connect to were both stripped out and that the bolts had fallen out, resulting in complete loss of steering control. This seems to be a common problem with the large Chrysler vehicles, and puts a lot of people at risk of death. Please force Chrysler to recall these cars and to install a redesigned steering rack and tie rods that are not going to kill people.
Chrysler 300m 2001, on 7/9/09 -car was seen and inspected for any trouble at a certified Chrysler dealership. Original estimate was $200, total work cost $1,871. Car released to us and we were told it was in perfect running condition. On 7/31/09 total loss of steering causing the car to turn and run up on sidewalk even though driver was attempting to turn opposite direction. Had vehicle towed and inspected by independent repair shop. Steering rod bolt had snapped causing loss of steering in both wheels. Estimated repair cost at $1,675. Chrysler dealer claims to have no knowledge of any problem concerning the steering on any 300m Chrysler.
Per dealer "steering rack has internally failed and needs replaced". The car was bought used with 32,000 miles and condition existed then although I did not recognize it at the time. Car now has 44,000 miles. The steering felt a little loose and front tire wear were my only clues and I attributed those to car possibly being out of alignment. Took car in for alignment and told cost to fix rack will be $1,100 or as much as $1,500 if tie rods need replaced. Not a please experience with my first chrylser product and on their "premium" car no less.
Violent shaking began while traveling at highway speed, approx. 70 MPH. The shaking seemed to be originating from the right front end of the vehicle. Vehicle was brought in for service and mechanic informed me that the right side tie rod was defective. The mechanic showed me the "play" of approx. 3 to 4 inches to the left and then an additional 3 to 4 inches to the right of center. Apparently the shaking I felt was the right front wheel swinging left and right while I was traveling straight along the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler 300m. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to pull to the left without intent. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in motion and would also pull to the right sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who informed the contact that the power steering rack would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
2001 Chrysler 300m steering noise over bumps / play on steering wheel/ seems very unsafe to drive, dealership has replaced the tie rods as well as I did also I also replaced all suspension and the noise is still there it is definitely in the rack and pinion, it feels lose and like other complaints the rack and pinion May share off and cause a fatal car accident I need this fixed before it harms me or someone related to you. Please advise.
Steering complaints in other 300M years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Chrysler 300M?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Chrysler 300M, 32% of the model year's 91 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chrysler 300M steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Chrysler 300M, though it has 3 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 2001 Chrysler 300M steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to steering 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.