Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Chrysler 3 Series problems
Owners filed 96 complaints about the 2002 Chrysler 3 Series with NHTSA between Jan 2002 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (14).
Complaints
96
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system14
- Power train13
- Steering11
- Engine and engine cooling11
- Air bags10
- Seats9
- Suspension7
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
- Structure4
- Engine3
- Exterior lighting3
- Wheels3
- Visibility3
- Tires3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
21
7
9
8
6
5
3
3
3
5
4
6
3
3
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
14 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The horn does not work which in the state of New Hampshire is a safety inspection item, and the dashboard lights work intermittently (not working more often than working) rendering the gauges unreadable at night. Not sure the exact date of the horn failure, but the steering wheel cruise control and audio controls stopped working, and I checked some forums that confirmed said failure might also disable the horn, and that is what happened. The problem occurs even when parked.”
Power train
13 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN INTO A LOWER GEAR SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Steering
11 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH ON THE GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LUG NUT ON THE RIGHT TIE ROD BECAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, THE PIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS PREVENTATIVE MEASURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.”
Engine and engine cooling
11 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN TO DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, SHUT OFF, AND ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND OVERFLOW RESERVOIR TANK WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Air bags
10 reports7 crashes
“THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED. THIS CONNECTS ALL THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIRBAG TO THE CAR'S SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM HERE IS A SHORTAGE OF REPLACEMENTS-THE PART IS ON A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER. IT WOULD SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE. *TR”
Seats
9 reports1 crash2 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler 300M. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's seat back fractured. The contact stated that upon sitting in the front driver's seat, the seat back collapsed and landed on the rear seat. The contact attempted to adjust the seat however, the front driver's seat failed to adjust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V035000 (SEATS); however, the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.