KNOWN FAULTS · Chrysler

Known faults for the Chrysler 300C (LD).

2012–2015 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

4 known faults with sources

Engines: 3.6 V6 (Petrol)

Applies if: Only 2016 cars built up to 31/5/2016.

Gear that hangs on when braking downhill or lifting off, fixed with new gearbox softwareAutomatic gearbox

Engine / equipment: 300C (LD) 3.6 V6 with the 8-speed automatic
Period mentioned: 2016
Symptoms: When braking down a hill, or when lifting off suddenly after hard acceleration, the gearbox stays in a low gear and is slow to upshift, with the engine revving high. The rest of the time it shifts normally and there are no warning lights.
Possible cause described: It is a behaviour of the gearbox control unit (TCM) software. FCA improves it by reprogramming the TCM with the latest software (revised bulletin 21-063-15), for 2016 300s with the 3.6 V6 built up to 31/5/2016, also in Europe.
Check for the garage: Tell the garage in which situations it happens and ask them to check whether the gearbox control unit has the latest software before replacing gearbox parts.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 3.6 V6 (Petrol) · 3.0 CRD (Diesel)

Applies if: Only with automatic multi-zone climate control.

One side of the climate control blows colder air because of a faulty sun sensorClimate control

Engine / equipment: Grand Voyager (RT) and 300C (LD) with multi-zone climate control
Period mentioned: 2012–2015
Symptoms: With automatic climate control and the same temperature on both sides, one side gets noticeably colder air; with no warning.
Possible cause described: The sun sensor on the dashboard gives a false reading on one side. It leaves no fault code. According to Chrysler's technical tip (July 2016), the garage checks it by shining an incandescent lamp on each side of the sensor and seeing that both readings change equally.
Check for the garage: Check that nothing is covering the sensor on the dashboard. At the garage, ask for the sun sensor test before replacing flap motors.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 3.6 V6 (Petrol)

Leaking oil filter housing and cooler on the 3.6 PentastarEngine

Engine / equipment: 3.6 V6 Pentastar: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wrangler and Gladiator, Chrysler Grand Voyager and 300C, Lancia Thema and Fiat Freemont
Period mentioned: 2011 onwards
Symptoms: Oil spots under the car, oil on the block below the housing (in the engine’s “V”), frequent top-ups and, in serious cases, a low oil-pressure warning; sometimes coolant leaks too.
Possible cause described: The plastic housing that holds the oil filter and cooler sits in the middle of the engine, exposed to heat: with heat cycles it warps and cracks. Overtightening the filter cap also damages it. Chrysler revised the design in 2014, but leaks still occur.
Check for the garage: Look for oil in the centre of the engine and under the car; do not overtighten the filter cap. The usual repair is replacing the whole assembly (aluminium versions exist), removing the intake manifolds, with new gaskets.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 3.0 CRD (Diesel)

EGR cooler and bearings on the VM 3.0 V6 diesel (EcoDiesel)Engine

Engine / equipment: VM Motori 3.0 V6 diesel (A630, “EcoDiesel”): Jeep Grand Cherokee and Gladiator, Chrysler 300C, Lancia Thema and Maserati Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante
Period mentioned: 2011 onwards
Symptoms: Coolant loss, white smoke or combustion in the intake manifold (cracked EGR cooler); deep metallic knock and the oil-pressure warning (bearings); on engines from 2020, low oil-pressure warnings or a failing high-pressure pump shedding metal.
Possible cause described: According to mechanics and owners, the EGR cooler cracks from thermal fatigue (Chrysler recalled it) and the crankshaft bearings can fail from lugging at low revs or carbon in the oil passages. On the third generation (from 2020) there was a recall for the Bosch CP4.2 fuel pump. Maserati uses the same VM engine in its diesels.
Check for the garage: Check the EGR-cooler and pump campaigns by VIN; watch the coolant and oil pressure; with knocking or the oil warning, stop. Avoid lugging the engine at very low revs under heavy load.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.