Before you buy a used Chrysler 300C (LX).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 2 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- 6 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 2.7 / 3.5 V6 / 5.7 V8 (Petrol).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.
- Front suspension, rear axle and electronics on the Chrysler 300CKnown weak points
- Period mentioned
- 2005–2012
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
2.7 / 3.5 V6 / 5.7 V8
Petrol
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
3.0 CRD (Mercedes OM642)
Diesel
- Oil cooler and injector leaksOil leaks / injectors
- Period mentioned
- 2005 onwards
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2.7 / 3.5 V6 / 5.7 V8PetrolFewest documented | 1 | 6 |
| 3.0 CRD (Mercedes OM642)Diesel | 2 | 5 |
According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 2.7 / 3.5 V6 / 5.7 V8 (Petrol).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Petrol.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Chrysler dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Passenger airbag inflator failureAirbags and seat belts
Engines: 2.7 / 3.5 V6 / 5.7 V8 (Petrol)
How to check it: Confirm VIN and recall; replace affected inflator.
View full entryChrysler airbag and seat-belt recalls (2002–2026)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryChrysler brake recalls (2000–2015)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryChrysler wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2008–2021)Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryChrysler engine, transmission and software recalls (2006–2015)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryChrysler other recalls (2015–2015)Bodywork
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Known weak points
Look out for: Knocks over bumps from the front control arm, lower ball joint and tie rod (part redesigned and back-ordered); a creaking rear axle; tyre-pressure sensor valves that corrode; electric mirrors not returning to position; rear seat belts locking; CAN-bus faults. On the 3.0 CRD: limp mode from the turbo boost regulator and the swirl-flap motor.
Ask them to check: Use plastic valve caps; check the front suspension; on diesels, read the turbo fault codes.
Oil leaks / injectors
Look out for: Oil pooling in the engine's V, burning oil smell, drips under the engine; or a hiss or chirp next to an injector with an exhaust smell.
Ask them to check: Visual inspection of the engine's V and the base of the injectors.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Front suspension, rear axle and electronics on the Chrysler 300C
- Oil cooler and injector leaks
- Passenger airbag inflator failure
- Chrysler airbag and seat-belt recalls (2002–2026)
- Chrysler brake recalls (2000–2015)
- Chrysler wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2008–2021)
- Chrysler engine, transmission and software recalls (2006–2015)
- Chrysler other recalls (2015–2015)
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