Research

1999 Chrysler 3 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 351 owner complaints for the 1999 Chrysler 3 Series. Most complaints involve air bags (51) and structure (49).

Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Apr 2009
Owner complaints
351
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Power train: floor shift

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Power trainReported Jan 13, 2004NHTSA 04V021000

Seats: recliner

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.

SeatsReported Feb 5, 2003NHTSA 03V035000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

351 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1998 – Sep 2020
  1. Air bags51
  2. Structure49
  3. Steering48
  4. Engine and engine cooling33
  5. Power train32
  6. Wheels22
  7. Suspension20
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic20
  9. Tires20

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1999351
2000249
200199
200296
200333
200471
20061,750
2007624
2008758
200995
2010137
2011200
2012426
2013306
2014237
201599
201676
201782
2018153
201961
202010
202120
20225
20236
Crashes reported
32
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
19
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

51 reports13 crashes
“I AM NOT SURE WHO MANUFACTURED THE AIRBAGS IN 1999 CHRYSLER 300S, BUT I AM WONDERING WHAT WOULD CAUSE AN AIRBAG TO HAVE A HOLE IN IT AND WHERE THE HOLE IS, IT WAS FRAYED, MY DAUGHTER WAS THE PASSENGER WHEN THEY WERE HIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL AND PASSENGER DOOR, THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT HAD A BIG HOLE IN IT AND WAS FRAYED WHERE THE HOLE WAS, LIKE A FLAG THAT HAS BEEN BLOWING IN THE WIND FOR YEARS, I AM COMING UP ON STATUE OF LIMITATIONS SO YOUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WOULD BE SO APPRECIATED!!!! MY LAWYER DOES HAVE PICTURES OF THE AIRBAG WITH THE HOLE IN IT, AND SHOWING ALSO HOW IT WAS FRAYED. MY DAUGHTER SADLY LOST HER LIFE IN THIS ACCIDENT, SHE WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED NOVEMBER 29TH 2014 ON HWY 23 NEAR WAITE PARK MN, CAR WAS IN MOTION, HER NAME IS [XXX] *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2017Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11047231

Structure

49 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS CRACKED WHERE THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2014StructureODI 10662147

Steering

48 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING THAT LATER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A SEWAGE AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2015Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, EngineCrash reportedODI 10694129
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Chrysler 3 Series as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

1999 3 Series questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Chrysler 3 Series have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Chrysler 3 Series problems?

Owners filed 351 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (51), structure (49), steering (48). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026