Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Chrysler 3 Series problems
Owners filed 71 complaints about the 2004 Chrysler 3 Series with NHTSA between Jul 2003 and Sep 2016. The most-cited component is electrical system (14).
Complaints
71
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system14
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Air bags12
- Power train12
- Structure9
- Steering8
- Exterior lighting6
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Engine4
- Suspension4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Equipment3
- Visibility3
- Latches/locks/linkages2
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 Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
7
2
10
1
5
3
9
4
5
6
9
5
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
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 reports
“WHILE RUNNING, STATIONARY, AND MOTION THE VEHICAL RAN HOT, MOTOR OIL LEAKING WHILE CAR IN MOTION AND PARKED. CAR DID NOT WANT TO START, AND SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC, DIOGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED REPORT INDICATED ELECTRICAL AND SENSOR PROBLEMS AMONG OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES.”
Engine and engine cooling
14 reports
“2004 CHRYSLER 300M. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NUMEROUS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS. *SMD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE STRUTS, TIE RODS, RADIATOR, FUEL PUMP, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, CAM SHAFT SENSOR WERE ALL REPLACED. THE STRUTS AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.”
Air bags
12 reports1 crash
“ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THAT HAS CAUSED MY CRUISE CONTROL, HORN, AND RADIO VOLUME NOT WORK. I LIVE IN A VERY BUSY AND CONGESTED CITY. I WAS ALMOST RUN OFF THE ROAD TWICE BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A HORN THAT WORKS TO WARN PEOPLE TO STATE IN THERE LANES.”
Power train
12 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER 300M. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND STAY AT THE SAME SPEED OR STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.”
Structure
9 reports
“DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A 10 -12" CRACK JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL WORK OR NOT. IN ANY EVENT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. DEALER(S) ARE OF NO HELP AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD THE COMMON PROBLEM OF THE HEADLAMPS/INSTRUMENTATION LIGHTS FLICKERING. HEADLAMPS WOULD FLASH ON/OFF ALONG WITH INSTRUMENT LIGHTING. HEADLIGHT SWITCH PANEL REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. *TR”
Steering
8 reports1 crash
“NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN. STIFF WHEN DRIVING. CRACKS IN DASH AROUND PASSENGER AIR BAG. ENGINE LIGHT ON AND REMAINS ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. ADVISED THAT SRS ROLL COIL NEEDS REPLACING. PART ORDERED THROUGH CHRYSLER PARTS DEALER AND IS ON BACK ORDER. *JS”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.