2012 Chrysler 300: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Dec 26, 2018 · Lights · PA

This vehicle has very poor lighting output from the headlights. The projector lamps are terrible. There are no high beams. There is some type of shutter that moves to redirect the light. The high beams are worse than the low beams. Worse headlights I have ever had on a car I owned. This car is dangerous to drive at night period then add some rain and a construction zone and it really gets even worse. I have almost been in many accidents because of these lights almost hitting a pedestrians and other vehicles. I avoid driving this car at night at all costs. I cannot afford another vehicle so I am stuck with this vehicle I guess. I wish I would have driven this car at night before I purchased it because there's not a chance in hell that I would have bought it

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Lights · 5,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving various speeds at night, the headlights appeared dim and did not illuminate the road properly. The contact stated that there were black lines that looked like the vehicle was driving through an object. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights were working as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the headlights were LED lights and were working as designed. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. Updated 06/29/17*lj

Filed Jan 5, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 87,000 miles · CA

On 12/22/16, I used my car for work and later christmas shopping with no problem. At 9:00 pm, my husband, granddaughter and I were on the freeway traveling about 60-65 MPH when the battery save mode light came on. I smelled smoke so my husband merged over to the far right, still traveling about 50-55 MPH. The car began to shut down, first the radio, then inside panel lights, headlights, airbag warning lights, brake lights, windshield wipers up, and car slammed into park while moving. Felt like we were rear ended. Very scary. Luckily, we were able to coast downhill off the side of the freeway, barely making it off, with the backend of the car in jeopardy of being hit. The three of us were stranded there on the side of the road until 1:30 am, in a not so lit area, until aaa arrived. None of us knew how to put the car in neutral so it had to be forced on and off the flat bed. The next day, I notified chrysler and found out there was a recall on the alternator for this same make, model and year. My care # is 30764006. However, I was told that my car was not covered because it had a 180 amp alternator instead of 160 amp. I was told by [xxx] to have my car towed to motor village la for an official diagnosis and that she (chrysler) would try to help me get it approved to be fixed under the recall. Motor village quoted me $1200 to fix and denied the recall claim. My family and I almost lost our lives that evening, and I wasted time with chrysler recall. I had to get the car towed elsewhere because I could not afford $1200 for repair. Furthermore, when I called back, I was not able to speak with [xxx] and of course, the story had changed. They no longer offered help, only apologies. As a result, I lost time off work and was without a car for a week. I am requesting reimbursement for my $130.00 diagnostic charge paid to motor village. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 30, 2016 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · CA

Was driving at about 70 MPH when the battery saver mode light came on. This was the first time.I had seen this light. Got home and shut the car off and restarted it few hours later and light went away. Began to drive again and light came on again while driving about 45mph on a busy street. The car began to shut the lights off and the windshield wipers began to turn on and I lost the ability to steer the car. I had to muscle the steering wheel to the around and head home with no headlights at night!!! I made it home but the car would not shut off it was stuck idling. The car started to over heat and began emptying coolant everywhere . The car overheated and shut off. I drive 25 miles to work everyday and take my kids to school via freeway. If this had happened on the free way myself and my kids could have been seriously hurt or killed. I read the fault codes and I got a bad alternator code.

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 22,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the headlights became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number:14v634000 (electrical system) however the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.

Filed Nov 13, 2013 · Lights · 20 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. The contact stated that the headlights failed to provide the proper lighting coverage when driving uphill. There was no lighting coverage to see forward or while turning in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer adjusted the headlight according to specifications however the failure was not corrected. The dealer advised the contact that there was nothing else they could do to correct the headlight failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20 and the current mileage was 20,000. Updated 12/30/13

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Lights · 4,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. The contact stated that the low beam headlights would not provide proper illumination and the high beam illuminated upward and side ways. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure the dealer advised the contact that the headlight was a new designed and there was nothing they could do to correct the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000 and the current mileage was 10,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2013 · Fuel system · PA

When driving at night it appears that the headlights have large blind areas left and right (similiar to horse blinders). When making a left or right turn there are blind areas that there could be a person or car parked that you would not see. I have had several close calls. On contactging the dealer they said that is the way the headlights are designed and several people had complained. If I had test driven the car a night I don't think I would have bought it becaue of the safety issues.

Filed Nov 27, 2012 · Lights · 15,000 miles · OR

The vehicle is equipped with capsulated headlights, the left headlight has a halo and light pattern above the limit line that blinds oncoming traffic creating a hazard. Dealer refuses to do anything about it. Says many of the comparative cars have this pattern. It is very distracting to drive and dangerous for oncoming traffic. The headlights are adjusted to proper elevation.

Filed Nov 6, 2012 · Lights · 500 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300c. The contact stated that when driving during the night at low speeds of 5 -10 MPH, the headlights activated and attempting a turn, the contact was unable to see the road due to reduced illumination. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer where they advised him that there was no safety issue and the vehicle was performing as designed. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 500. The current mileage was approximately 8,000. Updated 1/11/13