2012 Chrysler 300: steering wheel locks up

Filed Apr 6, 2025 · Steering · SC

The Steering Wheel Lock up on me while Driving on the interstate without any warning. I could have been kill. I panic.

Filed Aug 29, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 80,000 miles · CA

Got up in the morning started my chrysler 300 let it run for 3-5mins before pulling off to get coffee. No issues going and returning which took 10-15mins tops. Returned home to pick up and drop my girlfriend off at work approx. 20-25 miles away. Made it there with no issues. I pull away from her job turn a few corners I suddenly hear a faint whining the steadily grew louder and began to smell electrical burning. I stopped at a red light popped the hood looked at the engine saw nothing but still smelled electrical burning. Got back in the car turned the car off then on again and pulled off. 5 miles from my girlfriends job I'm back on the highway going 60-65 the car is still whining the electronics started to flicker everything the needles everything just kept flashing or failed until the steering wheel locked up I couldn't break or gas but the car was still on and moving. I was only able to slowly work my way to the shoulder where I applied the emergency break to stop the car completely. I tried jumping the car but the wires melted which caused a little alarm because the cables where connected correctly. Got a tow home. On my own I removed the battery went to have it charged it would not hold a charge I bought a new one. Over $200. Upon connecting the new batteries neg connection which I did after connecting the pos. Connector I experienced a huge amount of sparking which actually ate away sum of the batteries neg. Connect...yes ate the metal knob...medal pieces like dust around it now but I don't think I damaged the battery. I checked the grounding it was all good or so it seemed. I removed the alternator took it to auto zone but unfortunately it has to be tested in the vehicle with the car running...which I clearly cannot start. Ive set up appointments online to have it fixed but nobody not even chrysler has the parts yet...been 2 months. I'm just waiting.

Filed Aug 21, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 51,000 miles · MH · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving approximately 35 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from the front of vehicle and a burning odor was coming from the vents. Also the ABS and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The noise grew louder when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the transmission warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle started to stutter. As the contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the highway, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle failed to shift and engage into park. The emergency brake was engaged and the wiper blades inadvertently activated. The push to start/stop button failed to shut off the vehicle, but the vehicle eventually turned itself off. The contact called a tow truck. The tow truck driver opened the hood and smoke was present. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle, but the battery failed to hold a charge. The vehicle was towed to darcars chrysler dodge jeep ram of marlow heights (5060 auth way, suitland, md 20746 (301) 423-5111) where it was diagnosed with an alternator failure. The alternator and serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired at darcars due to the cost; however, the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v240000 (power train). The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to pep boys auto parts & service (6333 marlboro pike, forestville, md 20747 (301) 967-9140) where the alternator and serpentine belt were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures, but the contact as unaware if a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Filed Apr 17, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 101,784 miles · DE

While driving a red low battery light comes on while driving on the highway...car starts to shut down and I find a sage location....as I pull to a sage location car losses control...the steering wheel locks up and it will not shift into park...this goes on for 5 min as the car is turning wind sheild wipers on and radio flickers on by it self...so I replace battery and proceed to drive home...I get about 20 min down the road and it proceeds to happen agin...not only does the headkights cut iff at night...but MPH read 0 and I was going over 50 MPH

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 46,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. When the brake pedal was depressed at 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle suddenly stalled, the instrument panel indicators illuminated, and the doors failed to unlock. The vehicle was restarted after the battery was charged; however, it only moved approximately ten feet. The vehicle stalled again and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to decrease in speed while the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle stalled, and numerous warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Apr 18, 2016 · Electrical · 55,302 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and caused the transmission and other systems to fail. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 55,302.

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · Steering, Transmission · 1,000 miles · CO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the instrument panel illuminated. Also, the contact stated that fluid was leaking from under the front of the vehicle and the vehicle started smoking. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the transmission had been replaced on three other occasions approximately every 10,000-12,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 09/15/15*lj

Filed Aug 5, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 59,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel seized and the contact was unable to shift the gear lever into park. The emergency flasher illuminated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 88,000 miles · PA · fire

While driving on parkway, battery light saver comes on car, instrument panel goes hay wire just starts lighting up gauges going crazy. Steering wheel locks up car cuts off, lucky I was the only vehicle on the road manage to stop car bye hitting a embankment, when I pulled over black smoke was coming from the hood. Could smell something electric burning. Car cut off and would not start had toed to the dealer.

Filed Oct 31, 2014 · Electrical · 47,500 miles · TX

I was driving along the street going about my normal day and while I was driving my radio shut off then all my lights on the dashboard start coming on the ABS light,sudden movement light. All lights in car start blinking off and on. Message popped up on computer screen that it was in power saving mode. Windshield wipers came on.steering locked.car screen went blank and car shut off. This is very dangerous. I was on a busy street and the only thing that saved me was that a policeman happened to be behind me.I took it to the dealership and it is getting checked out. They said that it is possible that my alternator went out. This could cause some one to lose their life.

Filed May 8, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 3,200 miles · DE

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the power steering warning indicator illuminated, the steering wheel seized, and there was a slight reduction in the engine power. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 3,200.