2001 Chrysler 300M: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 6, 2010 · Suspension · 65,744 miles · CA

Chrysler 2001 - 300 m with 65,774 miles. All required service at dealer only. On 24 nov 10 car made "clunking sound" pulling into parking lot and then completely stopped running. Aaa tow truck came and when he stated to pull on truck entire front drivers side wheel fell off. He looked at the area and noted that a bolt in the control arm was completely gone. Said if it had happened 10 minutes early on freeway, would have been unable to control car. Towed to chrysler dealer who noted that "left front lower control arm bolt apparently snapped and went away, left front suspension compromised." called chrysler corporate customer service on 26 nov 10 and reported. Told them that I felt this was a part failure and safety issue. They opened case file. Chrysler customer service called back on 29 nov 10 & said they needed one more bit of information from dealer and they would call me back that day. No call back to date (06 dec 10) despite numerous follow ups with them. Picked up car from dealer on 04 dec 10. Due to collateral damage cost $2,717.84. They noted that there was no evidence of impact damage as cause of failure.

Filed Aug 10, 2010 · Steering · 144,000 miles · AL

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler 300m. The contact stated that the tie rod on the rack and pinion was loose on the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact was driving 20 MPH and was able to drive onto the emergency lane. The mechanic stated that the bushings burned and that the failure occurred in several vehicles identical to his year, make and model. The failure mileage and current mileages were 144000.

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Steering · 80,000 miles · IL

2001 chrysler 300m steering noise over bumps / play on steering wheel/ seems very unsafe to drive, dealership has replaced the tie rods as well as I did also I also replaced all suspension and the noise is still there it is definitely in the rack and pinion, it feels lose and like other complaints the rack and pinion may share off and cause a fatal car accident I need this fixed before it harms me or someone related to you. Please advise.

Filed Jan 7, 2009 · Brakes, Steering · 104,000 miles · FL · crash · fire · 1 injury

December 20th 2008 accident occurred. Vehicle started on fire and was totaled on the right passenger side. Inner tie rods and bushings were replaced not even two weeks before along with two tires and brakes. Vehicle pulled to the left while in an intersection. A truck coming from the opposite direction hit the vehicle on the front left passenger side and the hood. Vehicle was in a 180 degree position with little damage to the left side.

Filed Dec 26, 2008 · Steering · 99,800 miles · WI

Some background: I noticed the steering wheel was a little sloppy on my 300m and took it to a local dealer to be diagnosed. They told me the rack and pinion should probably be replaced. I had it replaced for around $1200. A year and a half later while traveling for christmas, I pulled off the interstate (from doing 70 MPH) to stop at a gas station. I stopped at the top of the off ramp for the stop sign. Traffic cleared, as I accelerated to turn left, when I turned the wheel I heard a noise, and the car went straight. I had no steering. Luckily I had enough room past the intersection to get out of traffic, but still had my wife and two small children in a precarious position. If this had happened while doing 70 MPH down the interstate, I'm sure we all would have been seriously injured or killed. The car was towed to a dealer whose opinion was that the bolts that hold the inner tie rods to the rack and pinion were loose and caused the failure. The dealer had to replace the rack and pinion again. Police were on scene but did not take a report.

Filed Dec 24, 2007 · Steering · 67,000 miles · MA

My sister's 2001 chrysler 300 m experienced sudden steering failure while driving. Fortunately she was travelling at low speed, so no one was killed. She described the feeling at failure as a loud noise followed by the sensation of sliding on ice. It was towed to a repair shop, where they found that the threaded holes on the steering rack that the inner tie rods connect to were both stripped out and that the bolts had fallen out, resulting in complete loss of steering control. This seems to be a common problem with the large chrysler vehicles, and puts a lot of people at risk of death. Please force chrysler to recall these cars and to install a redesigned steering rack and tie rods that are not going to kill people.

Filed Apr 5, 2007 · Steering · 50,000 miles · CA

Cluncking noise coming from front end and steering locks up while turning full right or left. Car was serviced and rack and pinion was replaced under warranty at 50,000 miles. Returned to dealer after 100,000 miles for wheel vibration problems especially while braking. Inner tie rod bushings were replaced.

Filed Aug 14, 2006 · Steering · 77,000 miles · NJ

Violent shaking began while traveling at highway speed, approx. 70 MPH. The shaking seemed to be originating from the right front end of the vehicle. Vehicle was brought in for service and mechanic informed me that the right side tie rod was defective. The mechanic showed me the "play" of approx. 3 to 4 inches to the left and then an additional 3 to 4 inches to the right of center. Apparently the shaking I felt was the right front wheel swinging left and right while I was traveling straight along the highway.

Filed Aug 4, 2003 · Steering · 32,000 miles · OH

Per dealer "steering rack has internally failed and needs replaced". The car was bought used with 32,000 miles and condition existed then although I did not recognize it at the time. Car now has 44,000 miles. The steering felt a little loose and front tire wear were my only clues and I attributed those to car possibly being out of alignment. Took car in for alignment and told cost to fix rack will be $1,100 or as much as $1,500 if tie rods need replaced. Not a please experience with my first chrylser product and on their "premium" car no less.