While turning a corner my steering wheel turned one direction while my tires stayed straight. Also while driving down the highway at 45 miles an hour. My car went into the opposite lane almost head on into another vehicle when my wheels decided to turn back when I turned the steering wheel almost to the end of steering ratio. This car is going to end up killing someone. Then there will be a major law suit. I replaced the rack & pinion. Worked for about a month and now it is starting to do it again. Also replaced the tie rod ends. The bolts back out or become loose on the rack & pinion. Have had to tighten them on many occasions.
Chrysler 300M ball joint problems
34 of the 873 owner complaints about the Chrysler 300M describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 34
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,200
- typical mileage
- 80,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 5Pulling 3Power steering loss 3Steering noise 2Steering lock-up 1Fire or smoke 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler 300m. The contact stated that the vehicle began to violently shake without warning. The contact merged to the shoulder and noticed that the tie rods were corroded. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was diagnosed that both the front and rear struts, inner tie rods, cam shaft and the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 37,682 and the current mileage was 115,546.
Coming home from work I pulled into my girlfriends circle driveway. While making the left hand turn into the driveway I felt the car not reacting to the steering wheel. I stopped and looked at both front tires expecting to see a broken tie rod end but both tires pointed in the same direction. I asked her to step in the vehicle and turn the steering wheel while I could see what was happening. I could see the whole steering rack move back and fourth without it being connected to the frame. I am thankful that this did not happen at highway speeds when I was heading home. This is a very dangerous car to own.
Driving aprox 10 MPH into to school pick up and drop off area, to pick up children as school was letting out. I lost all steering functions, I had to have car towed back to my residence. My husband found that a bolt had broke off the tie rod ((right side) going into the rack and pinion and the (left side) bolt to the tie rod had back out of the rack and pinion. Their were no warning signs that something was wrong with the steering. I thank the good lord that it happened where and when it did, it could have been a different outcome a few miles down the road with myself and 3 children in the car going 45-50 MPH on the 2 lane road going back to our home. Now as I drive our other vehicle around and see a chrysler 300m I worry about the safety of the occupants in that vehicle and the others around them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler 300m. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds between 5-50 MPH, the steering wheel would veer towards the left abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that the inner tie rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the inner tie rods. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,231. Updated 01/24/12*lj updated 01/27/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chrysler 300m. While the vehicle was parked the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the steering bolt fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had previously experienced a failure with the steering and the tie rod was replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
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.
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.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chrysler 300M ball joint
Which Chrysler 300M years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (9 complaints), 1999 (8 complaints) and 2000 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Chrysler 300M?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,200 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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