The 2000 Chrysler LHS has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Hood molding and trim detaching at speed.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Chrysler LHS.
STRUCTURE
7 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2008-12
“WHILE DRIVING MY CHRYSLER 2000 LHS AT 65 MPH IN FLORIDA, THE HOOD MOLDING BECAME DETACHED FROM MY CAR AND LANDED ON THE HIGHWAY BEHIND ME”
“WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOOD MOLDING FLEW OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH A PLASTIC PIECE ON THE HOOD STARTED TO VIBRATE AND FLEW OFF”
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-06 → 2005-08
“DOOR LOCK MOTORS HAVE FAILED ON ALL FOUR DOORS”
“POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED ON TWO DOORS DRIVER FRONT AND PASSENGER REAR”
“I HAVE A CHRYSLER 2000 LHS AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE 2 DOOR ACTUATORS REPLACED IN MY CAR IN THE LAST YEAR”
STEERING
18 NHTSA complaints · 2003-04 → 2012-02
“AROUND 15,000 MILES AFTER BUYING THE CAR, MY WIFE WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP”
“THEY FOUND THAT THE BOLTS HOLDING THE STEERING ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME HAD BROKEN AND AS A RESULT CAUSED THE TIE RODS, STEERING GEAR AND ASSOCIATED PARTS TO BREAK INCLUDING THE RACK”
“EXCESSIVE PLAY AND WANDER IN STEERING ON MY 2000 CHRYSLER LHS”
TIRES
7 NHTSA complaints · 2003-11 → 2007-02
“VALVE STEM CORROSION LEADS TO AIR LOSS IN TIRE AND A SUBSEQUENT FLAT TIRE AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL”
“AIR WAS SEEPING OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES”
“ALL 4 TIRES HAVE BEEN LOOSING AIR FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, I FIGURED I NEEDED NEW TIRES SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE ALL 4 WHEELS HAVE CORROSION AROUND THE VALVE STEMS”
STRUCTURE
3 NHTSA complaints · 2003-10 → 2005-03
“THE STRUTS FAILED, CAUSING THE TRUNK LID TO FALL”
“TRUNK CAME DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER”
“TRUNK LID WILL NOT RISE FREELY AND STAY UP”
AIR BAGS
4 NHTSA complaints · 2001-05 → 2014-11
“CONSUMER NOTICED A CRACK IN AREA WHERE AIRBAGS COMES OUT”
“THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG COVER CRACKED”
“THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE DASH BOARD OVER THE AIRBAG DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE”
AIR BAGS
3 NHTSA complaints · 2003-01 → 2010-04
“UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED”
“NEITHER OF THE TWO FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
“CONSUMER WAS IN A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURIES”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Chrysler LHS reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.