The Lemon Index
20021st generation
Not enough data. Only 14 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
14 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Chrysler Concorde2003 Nissan 350Z 4622003 Hyundai Tiburon 537
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 09E012000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Chrysler sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chrysler's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 14 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 45K miles (6K to 74K km) on the car (9 of all 14 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Consumer states that when merging onto the highway, vehicle drastically loses power. Dealer diagnosed that the crank case is out of line with the camshaft.
2003 Chrysler 300M owner · NHTSA complaint 10026835
More owner reports
Rear brakes were defective. The problem was discovered during an oil change. The mechanic stated they wore out.
NHTSA complaint 10103154
Consumer states while traveling fuel sensor light and check engine indicator would flash due to vapor line melting.
NHTSA complaint 10026508
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 2.7M views · 1999–2004 Chrysler 300M
Most-watched topics
- Windows, doors & mirrors178K views
How To Replace (fix) the Mode Door Actuator on a 2000 Chrysler 300m Air Vents for freejbe313 · 86K views · 5 videos - Cooling system94K views
2004 Chrysler 300m 3.5 V6 PO172 & overheats while driving but not at idle case studyBrick Auto LLC · 60K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets50K views
![Intake Manifold Gaskets Replacement: Part 1 [2000 Chrysler 300M]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qMVxtMU9yQc/mqdefault.jpg)
Intake Manifold Gaskets Replacement: Part 1 [2000 Chrysler 300M]MattsMotorz · 50K views - Fuel pump, filter & tank36K views
![Fuel Pump Replacement: Part 1 [2000 Chrysler 300M]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tlD-G7IS-uk/mqdefault.jpg)
Fuel Pump Replacement: Part 1 [2000 Chrysler 300M]MattsMotorz · 36K views
Show 3 more
- Transmission & shifter28K views
2000 Chrysler 300m output speed sensor change.Adam Mcdonnough · 28K views - Timing chain & engine23K views
2001 Chrysler 300M misfire cyl 6 Part 2 the fixMaic Salazar Diagnostics · 23K views - Death wobble & steering22K views
2001 Chrysler 300M inner tie rod bushing replacement, Pt 1The Shade Tree Fix-it Man · 20K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2002 Chrysler 300M - Review, Specsfotoautos · 9K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chrysler told dealers about
Chrysler sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
- On some vehicles, there is malfunction indicator lamp illumination with possible rough running…
- Engine stumble and/or misfire - malfunction indicator lamp illumination
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedThrottle control failure2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Chrysler 300M year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 2 older years (1999–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Chrysler 300M years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chrysler-300m/?y=2003" title="Chrysler 300M reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chrysler-300m/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Chrysler 300M reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Chrysler 300M reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 14 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2003 Chrysler 300M problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (29%), brakes (14%) and fuel system, other (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chrysler 300M have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chrysler 300M get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 Chrysler 300M have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Chrysler 300M cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Chrysler 300M have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Chrysler 300M year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works