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2005 Chrysler 300 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2005 Chrysler 300 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Gear shift lever stuck in park, interlock failure.” 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.

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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.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2005 Chrysler 300.

Reported to NHTSA

Gear shift lever stuck in park, interlock failure

POWER TRAIN

25 NHTSA complaints · 2017-06 → 2024-11

“This is a serious safety concern regarding the shift interlock system on my 2005 Chrysler 300. When the vehicle is in Park, particularly in traffic, and the light turns green, I am forced to lift the coin attachment and manually press the pink interlock just to change gears or”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624858
“ON THIS CHRYSLER 300 2005 THE CURRENT SAFETY PROBLEM IS AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER (FLOOR SHIFTER) OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OF THE HOME, STATIONARY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11203495
“THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER INTERLOCK RETURN SPRING HOOK IS BROKEN CAUSING AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS VEHICLE CAN NOT BE MOVED. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION K39 FOR SOME VIN'S BUT NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11118705

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight and dash light flickering

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2018-11

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS BEGIN TO FLICKER. I TRIED TURNING THEM ON AND OFF BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11040550
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER 300. WHILE DRIVING, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BEGAN TO FLICKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10929674
“COMMENTS THE DASH LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON AT NIGHT. THEY COME ON IN THE OFF POSITION AND TURN OFF IN THE ON POSITION. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10948088

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall delays and warning lights

AIR BAGS

73 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while the mother was driving at approximately 10 mph when suddenly the driver-side air bag erroneously deployed. During the incident, no crash had occurred and the vehicle had not driven over a pothole or bump in the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487307
“R25/NHTSA 15V-313 RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO LOCAL DEALER 2016. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS BACK ORDERED. AS OF 2019 I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE DEALERSHIP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11205005
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER 300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11143887

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank or sending unit leak and stalling after refueling

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

47 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2026-04

“The fuel sending unit is poorly manufactured and cracks and leaks raw fuel directly under the back seat”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11553646
“When the fuel tank is topped off the vehicle stalls 2-6 times until the excess fuel is burned off. This has happened on the road, in parking lots, intersections, etc. It causes total loss of power & power steering”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11476176
“Our 2005 Chrysler 300 stalls and will not restart for many minutes after we refuel it. Chrysler stated they have extended the warranty to a life time coverage if you are experiencing this issue you are able to get it covered under said warranty. We have contacted them and they”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11421131

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling or loss of power while driving

ENGINE

19 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2020-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER 300C. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11219063
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER 300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A WHILE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED SIXTEEN SPARK PLUGS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10946760
“THE CHRYSLER JUST CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY MAKING A LEFT TURN WITHOUT WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140135

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

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.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

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.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

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.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

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.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

189 crashes 1990–2024

How the 189 occupant deaths break down

139

driver deaths

49

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

189

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

46

complaints mentioning a crash

16

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

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 2005 Chrysler 300 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.

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