NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 99 owner complaints for the 2001 Chrysler 3 Series. Most complaints involve steering (30) and air bags (11).
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 351 |
| 2000 | 249 |
| 2001 | 99 |
| 2002 | 96 |
| 2003 | 33 |
| 2004 | 71 |
| 2006 | 1,750 |
| 2007 | 624 |
| 2008 | 758 |
| 2009 | 95 |
| 2010 | 137 |
| 2011 | 200 |
| 2012 | 427 |
| 2013 | 306 |
| 2014 | 237 |
| 2015 | 99 |
| 2016 | 76 |
| 2017 | 82 |
| 2018 | 153 |
| 2019 | 61 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 |
“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. *TR”
“I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE AIR BAG RECALL RESOLVED ON MY CAR. I CHECKED IN SEPTEMBER AND AGAIN OCTOBER 16 AND TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. WHEN I GO ON THE CHRYSLER WEB SITE FOR RECALL INFORMATION, IT SAYS THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER, OR THE DEALER, ARE NOT GIVING ME TOP PRIORITY. IN THE MEAN TIME, I AM AT RISK. I CHECKED THIS OUT AGAIN TODAY WITH THE SAME RESULT.”
“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH, I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR DURING ACCELERATION. NOTE: THIS WAS ALSO EVIDENT BY AN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPM'S ON THE TACHOMETER. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW BY MYSELF IN 2001. IT HAS ONLY 17,508 MILES ON IT!. CHECKING OF THE ENGINE FAULT LIGHT REVEALED A P0601 TROUBLE CODEI. THIS IS AN INTERNAL FAULT IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS NOTED BY OTHER 2001 CHRYSLER 300 M OWNERS, UPON CONDUCTING A SEARCH ON THE COMPUTER. SINCE THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS! *TR”
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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.
Owners filed 99 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (30), air bags (11), power train (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.